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Sunday, December 1, 2013

Baking Gingerbread Men for Art 101 Inspirations

Welcome.  I am so glad that you stopped by.  Today you are invited into my kitchen for a cup of ginger tea and a Gingerbread Man cookie and a very, very simple Art 101 lesson to paint a Gingerbread Man or Lady. We have had rain and cool weather in Southern California and it is beginning to feel like Christmas and the weather is perfect for baking and painting.

Bentley, my Studio Assistant, is waiting patiently by the oven for the gingerbread to bake in hopes of getting a taste!












My friend Lynn is coming over to paint with me - she wants to paint a Gingerbread Lady for her Cottage 
 kitchen -P.S. - she does not paint and I thought it would be fun for her to take the art 101 lesson!

                          Let's look for a little inspiration and then start painting.








I drew a pattern and you are welcome to copy it or make up your own.  I put a dress on Lynn's pattern as she wants to paint a Lady. We are using a 5x7 canvas - you can paint them on a board or block of wood or canvas.  Most craft stores sell wood blocks and canvas in all sizes.  I like to paint them small as they are charming to put on a shelf or lean up against something in your kitchen. 

First base coat your canvas in a color of your choice - you can even leave the canvas or board unpainted.  We used apple green. Then draw the shape on your canvas.




I use Liquitex paint and mixed Burnt Sienna and Raw Sienna to get the color for the gingerbread. I also used a little Burnt Umber to outline for a painterly effect - this is not necessary.



Lynn painted her dress red.  Once the gingerbread has been painted and the dress painted it is now time to decorate them with paint - just as you would decorate with icing on the cookies!

I added a red bow tie and white "squiggle" lines just like icing - red buttons and painted the eyes and mouth.



                     So fun to add the little canvases to a shelf - window sill or where ever you want to!!


Lynn added polka dots and a little white collar to her Lady - then painted the eyes, pink cheeks and mouth and added white squiggles.  I think her Lady turned out adorable and will be perfect for her cottage kitchen. I am so proud of her and think she did a great job.  She asked me to share with you - "if I can paint one anyone can paint one."










If you would rather paint your Gingerbread Men in a stocking you can find this one that we painted last year under Art 101. Please let me know if you have any questions.  Have fun and enjoy! Blessings, Erin





               

             "How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity."  Psalm 133:1

                   I am having a sale at my ETSY shop and everything is 35% off until 12-30-13.
                                          Use coupon code SALE35OFF

  

7 comments:

Merlesworld said...

Lots of christmas things here.
I do like your kitchen.
Merle................

Jeanie said...

Your kitchen is so bright and enchanting! I'm eager to start my ginger guy! Thanks -- and happy December!

Stacey said...

I just love your kitchen! The gingerbread people are adorable. :)

Art and Sand said...

Love your kitchen and the beautiful red & white dishes on the hutch.

Sonia said...

So happy and cute! I love the gingerbread!
Miss Bloomers

Betty said...

Your kitchen is so lovely and looks so cheerful for Christmas. Love the gingerbread people.

lynne said...

I know this seems a redundant comment, but I do love your kitchen! So warm and welcoming!