Winter's Light

by Sue Beckerton

Copyright 2009 Sue Beckerton and Crafts Americana Group, Inc.

All Rights Reserved.

No. *A331446*
 Winter’s Light
By Sue Beckerton

Palette DecoArt Americana Acrylics

Antique Gold #13009
Antique Rose #13156
Black Green #13157
Blueberry #13037
Burnt Sienna #13063
Deep Burgundy #13128
Lamp Black #13067
Plantation Pine #13113
Russet #13080
Sapphire #13099
Terra Cotta #13062
Titanium (Snow) White #13001
True Red #13129
Warm White #13239

Surface: Candle block set of 3, # 60056

Misc. Supplies:
DecoArt Multi-Purpose Sealer #87392
DuraClear Varnish – Satin #87394
Masterson Sta-Wet Painter’s Pal Palette #70030
White Graphite Paper #70139
Soft Grip Embossing & Stylus set of 3 #70125
Tracing Paper Pad #83176
Loew-Cornell Brush Tub #70103
Snowflake Stencil
Fine Sand Paper
Pencil
Paper Towels

Brushes: Papillon by the Artist’s Club

Filbert, size 8 #20119
Shader, size 12 #20131
Liner, size 18/0 #20144
Highlighter Set #20173
Blending Set #20168
Mid Liner Set #20171
Fan Set #20169
Loew-Cornell Brushes
Maxine Thomas Brush Set #26265

No. 331446 Page 1

© Artist's Club ®. All rights reserved. For private, non-commercial use only. Please see our web site for terms of use. Designed by
Sue Beckerton for Artist's Club®.
NOTE: All dry brushing is done using a highlighter brush, wiping most of it off on dry paper towel,
and gently rubbing the area until you are satisfied with the look.
I use the size 12 Shader, (often dressed with a touch of Glazing Medium or Extender) to do
most of the floats, and I soften all my floats by gently pouncing the mop brush over the water’s
edge. I work like this until it's almost dried.
All line work is done using either the 10/0 Mid Liner, or 18/0 Liner. Always thin the paint to ink
consistency and fully load the liner. Always “blot” the tip on a paper towel to remove the bulk
of the paint. This helps to “sharpen” the tip to a nice pointed end.
Spatter: Load the fan brush with thinned paint. Holding the brush about 8” away, leaning it
downwards towards your surface, gently tap the handle using another brush, or palette knife,
and specks fly all over.

Preparation:
Sand, seal and sand again, wipe off dust. Basecoat all sides of each block with Blueberry.
Transfer design with white graphite paper.

Painting Instructions:
Snowline
Heavily dry brush the snowline with a brush mix of Blueberry + Titanium White, using the ¾”
highlighter. Brighten near the star with more Titanium White.
Pine Trees
Load the #8 filbert with a brush mix of Blueberry + Titanium White, on both sides of the brush
and bringing it to a sharp chisel. Hold the brush at an angle like a pencil, not straight up, so
that the arches of the filbert show. Line in the center trunk with the chisel of the brush. Start
just below the trunk marking and pounce a couple coats working from the top down, making it
solid in the center, and airy on the outer edges. When pouncing on the branches, use little pres-
sure. Pick up a bit more Titanium White, and highlight the tops of the branches that are facing
the star, making sure you don’t over do it. Save your darks! Add an extra highlight with more
Titanium White. Remember, the brighter you get, the less you use. Darken the shaded side
with a brush mix of Blueberry + Lamp Black.
Cast a shadow on the ground with the same shade mix.
Star
Dry brush the star with Titanium White, using the #2 blending brush. Stroke on the star in
Titanium White, using the 10/0 Mid liner. Transfer holly berry design.
Make it snow using Titanium White and the fan brush, spattering on the scene and on the tops.
Holly Berry Design
Basecoat the ribbon in Antique Gold, holly leaves in Plantation Pine and berries first in Antique
Rose and overcoat with True Red.
Ribbon
Float the shades with Terra Cotta; darken with Burnt Sienna and once more with Russet. Float
a back to back highlight with Warm White. Outline with Warm White.
Holly Leaves
Dry brush the highlights with a brush mix of Plantation Pine + Warm White. Brighten with
No. 331446 Page 2
© Artist's Club ®. All rights reserved. For private, non-commercial use only. Please see our web site for terms of use. Designed by
Sue Beckerton for Artist's Club®.
 more Warm White. Float the shades with Black Green. Float the odd edge with a bright tinge
of True Red. Float narrow back glow, in darker areas with Sapphire.
Berries
Dry brush the highlights with True Red + Warm White. Brighten with more Warm White.
Float a bold highlight with Warm White. Float the shades with Deep Burgundy. Darken with
Russet. Float a very narrow back glow along the shaded areas with Sapphire.

Finishing: Stencil on random snowflakes, using the #4 blending, and Warm White. Once dry, dry brush
over top to create a fog or blurry effect. Scatter small snowflakes, using the 18/0 liner.
Apply 2 to 3 coats of DuraClear Satin varnish. Display with Pride!
Don’t leave candles burning unattended.

No. 331446 Page 3

© Artist's Club ®. All rights reserved. For private, non-commercial use only. Please see our web site for terms of use. Designed by
Sue Beckerton for Artist's Club®.
No. 331446 Page 4
© Artist's Club ®. All rights reserved. For private, non-commercial use only. Please see our web site for terms of use. Designed by
Sue Beckerton for Artist's Club®.