Color-Block Bronze Powder Stenciled Tray

Materials

wood tray
safe-release masking tape
extra-fine sanding sponge
tack cloth
acrylic paint: black, terra cotta
water-based glaze
small and medium coarse brushes
two 1-1/2"-2" sponge brushes
water base gold sizing
bronze metallic powders: bright gold, dark gold, silver
Crafter's Corner bronze powder stencil package LKPD 307
2 Crafter's Corner Stenciler Series brushes sizes TS2R, TS3R
spray varnish
pencil
tracing paper

1. Use the extra fine sanding sponge to prepare wood surface for paint application. Remove sanding dust with tack cloth.

2. Apply two coats of terra cotta acrylic paint to inside floor of tray (figure A).

3. While waiting for terra cotta paint to dry, assemble bronze powder stencils and tracing paper. Determine size of diamond area for your size tray (best to give yourself 1/4 to 3/4 inch spacing on top and bottom). Use a pencil and ruler and draw diamond on tracing paper.

4. Trace bronze powder stencil diagram into the pencil diamond area. Be sure composition is centered in the block. Trace layout onto paper and cut out paper diamond with pencil tracing (figure B).

5. When terra cotta paint is dry, center paper diamond on tray. Use a pencil and ruler to very lightly pencil in the diamond shape. Following the pencil lines, use safe-release tape to mask off diamond area in center of tray.

6. Apply black acrylic paint to sides and diamond area and let dry (figure C).

7. While black paint is drying, apply water-based glaze to rim of tray. While glaze is very wet, apply terra cotta grain pattern.

8. When the paint in diamond is dry, remove tape and very lightly sand tray floor.

9. Apply terra cotta area with water-based glaze. You do not need to be very careful around black diamond as grain effect will be black acrylic paint.

10. While glaze is very wet, apply black acrylic paint with a coarse brush (figure D). Begin on one side applying darkest grain first and then filling in with thinner/lighter grain lines (figure E).

11. Complete step 7 on other side and let dry thoroughly.

12. Apply water-based gold sizing to diamond area overlapping edge to accommodate outer bronze stenciled triangles. Do not worry if some sizing goes on grained area (figure F).

13. To add the compote: Place tracing on diamond to position compote. Slip compote stencil element in place and secure with tape; remove tracing (figure G).

14. Pick up a very small amount of dark gold metallic powder and tap off excess. Gently slide brush in and around stencil openings (figure H).

15. To add the peach: If necessary, replace tracing to position peach stencil and secure. Pick up very small amount of bright gold powder and tap off excess. Starting on the left, then to the right, brush in powder to create peach.

16. To add grapes and stem: If necessary, replace tracing to position grape and stem stencil and secure. Pick up very small amount of silver powder and tap off excess. Starting with first whole grape on stem, paint downward on stem openings.

17. Prepare melon stencil as above. Add melons with bright gold powder, using the same technique as above. Take care to fade into peaches and paint in openings.

18. To add the leaves: Prepare stencil as above. Pick up a very small amount of dark gold metallic powder and tap off excess. Use plastic shield included in stencil package to form vein first. Remove shield and color leaf opening.

19. Following manufacturer's directions, apply protective coats of spray varnish.