Cut Out + Keep

Making Monsters With Painted Faces

Use acrylic glazes on muslin for a sweet monstery face

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/making-monsters-with-painted-faces • Posted by sarah.trumpp

I've already talked about acrylic glazing on black, and acrylic glazing on muslin works much the same way and allows you to make monster and doll faces that are flexible and awesome. Since the muslin absorbs water, the pigment seems to float on top until it dries completely, which takes at least three times as long. The awesome thing about this is that you can treat it a little like watercolor and reactivate the color if you need to blend it as long as the fabric is merely slightly damp. The bad thing about this is that you may think it's dry and ready for the next layer when it's not, so make sure to let it sit for a while.

You will need

Project Budget
Cheap

Time

1 h 00

Difficulty

So-so
Medium 102588 2f2014 06 13 204103 muslinmonster

Description

I've already talked about acrylic glazing on black, and acrylic glazing on muslin works much the same way and allows you to make monster and doll faces that are flexible and awesome. Since the muslin absorbs water, the pigment seems to float on top until it dries completely, which takes at least three times as long. The awesome thing about this is that you can treat it a little like watercolor and reactivate the color if you need to blend it as long as the fabric is merely slightly damp. The bad thing about this is that you may think it's dry and ready for the next layer when it's not, so make sure to let it sit for a while.

Instructions

  1. Small 102588 2f2014 06 13 205628 muslinmonster1

    As always, start with a sketch. I just used a regular #2 pencil, probably one that the kids left for me since it had no eraser. Pencil will erase from the muslin pretty easily if you need to erase, but use a light touch or it'll smear like crazy.

  2. Small 102588 2f2014 06 13 205647 muslinmonster2

    Next, lay in your midtones. Here I'm using deep violet. Feather and smooth any hard edges and let it dry completely.

  3. Small 102588 2f2014 06 13 205700 muslinmonster3

    I laid in the shadows next using dioxazine purple and smoothed any edges with light glazes of the deep purple. Once that was dry, I filled in the empty spaces with quinacridone magenta.

  4. Small 102588 2f2014 06 13 205718 muslinmonster4

    I used titanium white for the highlights and teeth and gave him a smattering of purple freckles. Before you cut it out, brush the edge of the face with glue to keep it from frying and falling apart. I used a watered down glue/gel medium mixture, but you can use whatever glue strikes your fancy (or even Fray Check if you're super fancy). Once that's dry, cut it out and sew it onto your favorite monstery fabric or your favorite monster. I'd advise using anesthetic first, though.