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    • Artist Series: Andy Goldsworthy
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    • Mixed Media: Seasonal Branches
    • Resist Method: Starry Night
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MIXED MEDIA

Seasonal Branches
​​

​Instructor: Charlotte Godon

Objective: Explore mixed media (including eggshells!), composition, and color


Introduction
This is an art project that will work for most ages, though littles will require some assistance. This is a great project to do with a buddy! There are a lot of steps but none of them are difficult. You may want to spread it out over a couple of days. The materials on the list are suggestions. There are lots of different substitutions that will work beautifully! Use what you have….and have fun!

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(Suggested) Materials:
  • A few clean, dry eggshells
  • Tempera or acrylic paint in warm colors like red, orange, and yellow. Or try cool tones for a wintery scene!
  • Black tempera or acrylic paint (a black marker would also work)
  • Black watercolor paint (optional)
  • A fat paint brush, a medium paint brush, and a skinny paint brush
  • White paper (drawing, construction, watercolor…), any size, square or rectangular. You could also use a blank canvas or canvas board!
  • Black card stock or construction paper
  • White glue or Tacky Glue
  • Mod Podge (or gel medium) – matte or glossy (found in craft section of most stores)
  • Painter’s Tape (optional)

Directions:​
1. Paint the outsides of the eggshells and let them dry. Paint them solid colors, patterns...whatever suits your fancy!
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2. Get your black paper, Mod Podge, and a brush. Mod Podge can be unkind to brushes, so you might choose one that’s at the end of its life.
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3. Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge on your paper. Put a small piece of the eggshell on it and smoosh it down with your finger.
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4. Add a top layer of Mod Podge as you go. Keep going until you run out of space (or egg shells!). This is where a buddy really comes in handy!
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5. Here is what it will look like wet and then dry:​
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6. You can paint your background with watercolor or watered-down paint...or you can leave it as it is! If you do want to paint a background, tape your paper down first. Wait for it to dry before doing the next step.​
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7. Paint or draw in your branches. If you use paint, choose a narrow brush as it’s easiest for controlling the lines. You can also use any kind of black marker. There is no “right” way to do this step! You can use your imagination or you
can go outside and get some inspiration from nature!
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8. Now it’s time to cut the leaves out of the egg-shell paper you created earlier. It’s fun to vary the sizes and shapes of the leaves, but you can cut them out however you want! You’ll want to use a good pair of sharp scissors, so get help if you need it.
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9. Use any kind of white or craft glue to attach the leaves onto the branches. You can arrange them however you want—there are no rules! Trust your eye and go for it!
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10. Voila! That’s it! If you have a lot of egg shell paper left over, try a different composition or a different background. Most importantly, have fun with the process!
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​​Have fun! ~Charlotte

​We would love to see what you create. Share your creations on Facebook or Instagram! #ArtSmartTroutLake
Donors like you enrich the arts in our community. 
Your donations are tax deductible. ArtSmart is a committee of the Trout Lake Arts Council, a 501(c)(3) organization. You may take a tax deduction to the full extent allowed by law for your contribution.
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  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • DONATE
  • GRANTS
  • VOLUNTEER
  • ARTISTS
    • Julie Beeler
    • Eliza Carver
    • Mary Garcia
    • Joanna Kaufman
    • Frank Kirkpatrick
    • Monika McFadden
    • Carolyn Wilhelm
  • CLASSES
  • LESSONS
    • Artist Series: Andy Goldsworthy
    • Artist Series: Alma Woodsey Thomas
    • Mixed Media: Seasonal Branches
    • Resist Method: Starry Night
  • NEWS
  • CONTACT