Sunday, October 7, 2012

Cast Concrete . . . My Favorite Leaf

I painted lots of concrete leaves the other night, but this one is by far my favorite.

It was a happy accident of many layers of color washing, plus many layers of dry brushing in various colors.  The leaf itself is very flat--meant to be a trivet, I guess (it was one of Roberta's rejects)--so at first glance in its natural unpainted state, I didn't think it was very exciting or had much potential.  The dry brushing brought out so much of the subtle texture captured in the casting that I didn't even realize was there.

I just finished about 3 hours outside today, raking up leaves in the back yard, and now nursing 3 new blisters (even through my gloves!)......
 .....so, I have a LOVE/HATE relationship with pretty fall leaves!!

6 comments:

  1. Gorgeous work,Maggie! Did you use latex house paint like Roberta or outdoor craft paint? Mine are still days away from being ready to paint. 8+(

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    1. Kathy,
      Much of what I used was latex house paint, though it was interior rather than exterior. I also used regular craft acrylic to supplement. I'm hoping the 3 sealer coats of exterior varnish (two sprayed and one brushed) will make them weather-resistant enough. Some will stay inside anyway, so it won't matter. -m

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  2. LOVE IT Maggie! Just left a really long comment on the previous post. HUGS!
    Charlene

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  3. Oh Maggie...these leaves are AMAZING!!!! Absolutely gorgeous girl!! So so beautiful, they remind me of majolica, you know? I love that you know Linda and Ludmil! She's an angel ~ I think that they are moving though and headed to California to live now. I read her posts on Facebook, they are always so busy! I hope you are doing so good, hugs and love, Dawn

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  4. I think they're gorgeous. It's amazing how the paint brings out all the little details. So fun!!

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