I just love how much the bows add to this design! I hope you'll give it a try. There is also a video at the end of this post, if you would like to watch the process.
For this project, I used the following:
- ceramic Christmas ornament
- acrylic paints of your choice. I used Arteza acrylic paints in Burnt Sienna, Crimson Red, Scarlet Red, White and Prussian Green, and Golden fluid acrylic in Iridescent Bronze
- small artist brushes
I started this design with a single line for the center of the first sprig of leaves. I then added the individual leaves to the stem. To do this, hold the brush so that the very tip is touching at first, apply more pressure as you pull away from the stem and then end with only the tip touching again. Watch the video at the end of this post if you would like to watch me make my leaves.
Once that layer is dry, add a touch of red and burnt sienna (brown) to darken your green color and use that to create shadows at the ends of the leaves. I alternated between the center and the outside of the leaves, keeping them the same on each side. Let this dry completely.
Next, use your favorite red color to add berries on top of the leaves. You can also add berries in the white spaces to create a balanced design. Keep in mind, you will be adding red bows to the end of some of the stems, so there will also be pops of red added in the next step. Connect your berries with stems using a very fine brush, burnt sienna paint and a steady hand. I like to keep my stems as thin as possible. Set aside until dry.
Now it's time to add the bows! Using red (I used a slightly brighter shade than the berries but you can use the same berry red, if you'd like), make the center knot of the bow on the stem of one of your sprigs. This will be a small, rounded rectangle shape. Similar to how we made the leaves, start with the very tip of your brush to make the first half of your loop, applying more pressure as you go and ending again with only the tip of the brush. Start again with the same process at the knot and connect to the first half of your bow. (You can see this process in the video below.)
Add a second loop to the other side of the knot. To create a double bow as I did, repeat this process a bit lower than the first loops. Use the same thin-thick-thin brush technique to add the trailing ribbon out from your loops. Take this opportunity to add balance to your design. Be careful when working with the red that you avoid touching any wet paint. Wipe away any smudges as soon as you notice them. Add bows wherever you like and then let this dry.
Look at your ornament and add extra leaves and berries where you think they are needed. If your ornament has a ceramic top instead of a metal one like mine did, use a metallic paint (I used Iridescent Bronze) to paint the top. And look how pretty!
