I use the highly skilled, post-modern, impressionistic technique of paint by number. LOL
Here's my process:
1) Find clip-art or a picture of what you want to paint (clean lines are usually easier to work with)
2) Put images onto computer and using a projector, project onto your painting surface (cardboard, paper, a wall)
3) Using a pencil, trace the projected image onto the painting surface (when finished, cover the projector bulb to make sure you didn't miss tracing anything)
4) Paint (For the pandas I used Tempera paint for the black, white, and mixed them for the gray. For any green and brown, I used acrylic craft paint that you can buy in the little bottles in craft stores.)
For large areas of color, I use wide foam brushes or a piece of sea sponge. If I want a multi-color look, I squirt 2 or 3 shades of the same color onto a dish and then dip my brush or sponge into each and apply them at the same time. For smaller areas of color, a smaller paintbrush/foam brush or piece of sponge work well.
When the main blocks of color are done, I go back and add any shading, following the clip-art as my guide (and basically faking it.) Then I add any outlining or definition with markers or a thin paint brush.
Most of my painting projects have been VBS props which don't require too much detail (and nor do I want them to take a lot of time.)
The few walls murals I've done, I spent a little more time trying to make my shading look more artistic. These pandas took about 4 hours total from tracing to final product. I hope it will get the kids excited about our week.
With the easy trace and paint method, you can make props, decor, or even attempt a mural. Dress up a party, make some holiday decorations, or create a fantastic kid space! If I can do it, anybody can!
Here are some previous pieces:
Our Baby Nursery Mural (2002)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Pq3c8zCkcR7BcsgnlapndofMTDVx_e3gZbL3php28uekn4_Swcvg0Tfj5qd5Ox6Y8SzAVL_r5HO41JEbxGq1gShqG9L1xOV-Far19fDxproOV91uuAPC26Pw2bES0T7EyGEV2N_r67w/s320/nurserychangingtable.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuk095rM_ZGVuvqXu5F0wsue2_MfL4kjNuglm7kzVDVcJLrof7ibaJo47aSyRL7QJAxcf97gu5lhpfw7mTx2DrWamY8uxLOCyje_9p4HZ-94dHlulFkH_Yr30eK5j7IqSzOgvZ9KLo6M/s320/mural.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3wkGurPe4AjEcFdDk56dC-Gh_gg-RPzlT0T3aTVL3g8GevynzWqpiYTKKZjZBckL5jBPvbHRfKGZrPjgPYDtvtk-IeXe1EnYx-gjhF-iE2TPE1SKF7RYqzDYI34X9_4GeB-T_mAqYlA/s320/nurserycloset.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZDz2g4oo1-_-MROKJ3yLcncColmD7thV0aUO4nOgS5PbtQx2-UxmNtRRWJVGCH2Z859Q6kHMU4TzSBKiIT5NKvnCUANIWzMPY_Fkt1ojeqBVkRQY1EfbHZcYBS9Lri3RCL78h1vCo78/s320/nurserybassinet.jpg)
Serengeti Trek VBS (African Safari Theme ~ 2005)
I used the props and mural for our kids' combined birthday party first and then gave them to the church to use.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOR5DMfdEvRC4OfclDHbNvtk5PlXX37qtme4ukOqRl5Mx9B9vU9kdwcKp-Nb0CkSj1-ZFpIrs-amUlex3KQWjcQ3eRZa9Wz2ExOu45KHT4HM-0EDo-nJ0BqEvVyKOCNsMg8x1i1aPS3II/s320/35F05-6-11%252810-1%2529.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWi623Qn2TXCu2LoIAEHeMmSkUiQCExSsaaLlsqNC284jBu0oS7aquayF-xKhIHaorL2zIVwYmEfhSeWT0u5zto3Gmrt_KHUhWfwH69-WQ1W2V1nlc_OuUa4qpaZm9S90boVUfom6PV9k/s320/28F05-6-11%25289-59%2529.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6GSzf3K0u1_sYzzOjRUFeTaY8eu0BA29D90g9UYdYsOl342xiPO64R2IW7Gdnqu6jv1JPq9zVOuwBOVDqDrYb9tYlfdgOvxbJHQD_hD4fKF1hzC2wtWS0q2m9RhUMtcDK2BYb5bwmuo/s320/27F05-6-11%25289-58%2529.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjt7IcvUzLoreBguO6V9uXDDs6qSgObBpwxO-MYSGqO4-EoWvHYZ6oJUYdMEQU7ec5FiF5r9jE4H_WUhXCle6PW3h66Y3X_DPE-toIjKBVc7pjgi-fnR-LdkkFxQ7qQobCLKFK0soXfA/s320/25F05-6-11%25289-57%2529.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9uHVgPtOXvCi-LSUOCVcpcw-l53rNEuT5Es_a96VFP-AXm_-CVQPPtjBrLhWPYavfwM6YSKAx_yxYAOdEuG5aY6Qz09RuSFCvOIEknKC_FmvqN9Rhvxv6lm30XFBcdwRPD5eEqmOXEE/s320/24F05-6-11%25289-57%2529.jpg)
Trading Spaces (Travel Theme ~ 2006)
Noah's Ark (Mural for Pre-school Room ~ 2006):
Avalanche Ranch (Western Mountain Ranch Theme ~ 2007)
For the backdrop, I bought 2 plastic backed drop cloths at Home Depot. Then I used watered down acrylic craft paint and a sea sponge to fill in the hills. It only took about 6 hours total for the whole thing. It's 6' tall by about 22' wide, I think.
Outrigger Island (Hawaiian Surfing Theme ~ 2008)
No backdrop painting this year... just surfboards and a woody wagon of which I can't seem to find a picture. I used left-over wall paint from our house and various bottle of acrylic craft paint.
Linking up here.