Italian-Style Blinds

Figure A Figure B Figure C

Host Renai Ellison shows how to turn a plain fabric window blind into a work of art by creating and painting a design directly onto the fabric.

Southern Italian-Style Fabric Blind

Materials:

lightweight canvas fabric
fabric paints
medium, flat paintbrush
round, blunt paintbrush
fabric marker

Steps:

1. Begin by choosing a design. If you are nervous about freehanding, ease those worries by drawing out the design, then creating a grid over the picture (figure A). Replicate the grid on the fabric, then draw in each section one at a time.
   
   
2. When the picture is drawn out, choose your colors. Go for earthy rusts, olive green and mustard yellow. Use a flat-edged paintbrush to paint in the design (figure B).
   
   
3. When all colors of the Mediterranean have been used, concentrate on the light source, blending whites and blues for the sky. Use a stipple technique with the round, blunt paintbrush (figure C). Consider making the left side more pale than the right side, which can be more blue. Next, work on the earth with dark browns, again utilizing the round paintbrush.
   
   
4. Add some texture and depth in the details with a fabric marker. Continue to fine-tune the painting by adding color to the urn and topiary, with whites and metallic greens.

Also in this Episode

Our Place : Episode OPL-332
•	Italian-Style Blinds
•	Leather Condominium
•	Embossed Leather Picture Frame
•	Trade Secrets