How do I

(1) pick an item ?

(2) start an item ?

(3) select a brush ?

(4) paint eyes ?

(5) paint names ?

(6) shade and hi-light ?

(7) use chalk ?

(8) seal an item ?

(9) gift wrap ?

(10) display a finished item ?

(11) attach plastic eyes, add pin lights, assemble a light kit, install a turntable or music box ?

Answers

(1) pick an item ?
With so many great things to select from this could be the hardest question to answer out of them all. Simply summed up, we suggest that someone new to painting anything start with an uncomplicated and inexpensive item they enjoy. Our many ornaments are a great place to start. By the time they finish the first one, they paint up a set or continue onto larger projects. Every project ends up an one of a kind, work of art.
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(2) start an item ?
Once you have found your project, decided its colors and set up work area, we suggest that you began by applying the light colors first, working to the dark. That way the next color can cover most any imperfections that may have occurred while painting the previous color. Selecting the right brush for the area you are coloring can greatly reduce the number of imperfections occurring while applying each color.
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(3) select a brush ?
We have all heard that the basic rule of thumb that the larger the area, the larger the brush. This still holds true, but is always a good idea to use a fine line brush to outline the area to be colored before filling in the area with a larger brush. Fine line brushes work well for out lining larger areas. Also gives good results on fine lines, lettering, eyes and lashes. Rounder tipped brushes with the fuller body work well for filling areas and applying dots, teardrops and other shapes. Brushes with short, stiff bristles work great for applying chalk and texturing painted areas. These are only guide lines, with a little practice you will soon find other uses for the different styles of brushes.
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(4) paint eyes ?
Some animals have round “O” pupils and others have convex “()” pupils like cats and reptiles. Select the type of eyes your item has, then in this order, paint the white, eye color and pupils. Then with a fine line brush and a piece of scrap paper, practice the out-line of the eye style you are doing. Eyes are out-lined by placing the tip of a fine line brush at the point of the eye closest to the nose and following the top out-line of the eye, lifting the brush at the opposite side. Now place the tip of the brush back at the point of the eye closest to the nose and following the bottom out-line of the eye, lifting the brush at the opesent side. Add lashes by first rolling the brush on scratch paper to remove any excess pain, then starting on the out-line of the eye and drawing upwards in a repetitive ))))))))) motion you create lashes that are thicker at the starting point and thinner towards the ends, use larger lashes on the top and small ones on the bottom.
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(5) paint names ?
Start with a fine line brush and a piece of scrap paper. Practice the name in the style and size you wish it to appear on the item. When you feel confident, apply the name to your project. This is also a good time to place your name and date on the bottom of the project. Archeologist constantly find ceramic items dating back to the dawn of civilization. Custom ceramic items can bring joy to your family, friends and untold generations to come and they will be thankful for any information about when it was made.
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(6) shade and hi-light ?
We supply colored chalk in our kits as an easy way to add definition to a project. After the item has been stained with color, soft shading and hi-lighting is made easy with chalk. Lets use a leaf that has been colored “Green” as an example. If a darker color green chalk is applied to the recesses and a lighter color green chalk is applied to the centers of the raised area of the leaf, the leaf will look as if a soft light stood near by adding to the 3-D detailing of the item.
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(7) use chalk ?
Use a stiff bristled brush to loosen up some of the top of the color chalk you intend to apply. In recesses, work most of the chalk deep in to the valleys and less rising up the sides. On ridges, apply to the tallest area, fading out as the color goes down the sides. The middle area between the ridge and valley should be left the color it was stained. Then seal your project with spray on sealer to hold the chalk in place.
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(8) seal an item ?
Find a place that’s sheltered from drafts and has adequate ventilation. Use news paper to protect near by items. Do not use news paper to place your project on, the ink can transferred to your item. Cardboard works fine to set the item on to seal. Per the instructions on can, apply the sealer to the base first. When dry, stand up and apply light coats of sealer until covered. Fast, thick coats of sealer will run. Allow to dry as per the instructions on can.
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(9) gift wrap ?
When given as a gift we suggest the use of a decorative gift box, with colored tissue as padding. Like any fine ceramic art work, it needs to be protected from damage when ever moved, or transported.
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(10) display a finished item ?
If you are lucky enough to keep this one for yourself, display it proudly. Unlike so-called hand painted items that are sold in most shops, painted in a boiler room of employees applying the same design to a large number of like items in a day, the item you have created is truly one of a kind. Please remember that ceramic art pieces that use electric lights or other electric devises emit heat. Keep them away from flammable and out of reach of children.
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(11) attach plastic eyes, add pin lights, assemble a light kit, install a turntable or music box ?
An email support team to help make assembling your project easy. Any questions about a specific item can allows be sent to help@vbe.us.

NOTE: Art supplies like paint, brushes and etc. are not included in accessories. Visit your local shopping center for art supplies.