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Botanical Paintings

There's nothing quite so timeless as botanical paintings... they fit well into almost any room, are beautiful to look at and are actually fairly simple to create. Using the DIY Art Kit from Three & Me, you will be equipped with all the tools you need to make this art experience a fun as well as successful one!



You will need:

  • 12x12 canvas/ canvas bag/ cotton pillow cover

  • 1 botanical stencil

  • acrylic paint in white, black and colors to suit your botanical

  • mod podge (optional)

  • 1 sponge brush

  • 1 sponge wedge or stencil brush

  • 1 inch nail or weeding tool

  • 1 craft stick/ ruler/ gift card

or find the whole package here at Three & Me.


You can source all these supplies at local craft stores. Instead of a stretched canvas, you can use a wood pallet or cotton fabric. The technique is the same.



Get comfy. Grab your supplies, a snack and let's get started!

* this step is optional on canvas tote bags or pillows!

Decant some white acrylic paint onto a paper plate.

Add a smidge of black to it.

Swirl to create a messy uneven, marbleized blend of paint.

Using the flat surface of your sponge brush, smear the paint onto the canvas in uneven strokes to leave a streaky surface.

Do not use water.



Use a paper towel to rub off excess paint, to blend and to help dry your canvas.


Your canvas needs to be bone dry to move to the next step!



Rub your stencil with a credit card/ craft stick to prepare it.



Carefully peel away the grid layer.

It is super important that you remove the correct layer!

It's easiest to keep the stencil on a flat surface and work from a corner, at an angle.



If any of the stencil comes away on the grid layer, quickly seal it up and rub it with the stick to transfer the wayward piece back into position.



You should be left with a complete inverted stencil, which is very sticky.

Attach the stencil, sticky side down onto the canvas and rub it to make sure it adheres well.



Once your stencil is positioned on the canvas, carefully peel away the top connective layer. This is the trickiest part of the process, but be patient and work slowly.



Move low and slow from a corner, at an angle.




That was the hardest part! Now comes the fun part!



This step is not essential, but if you are nervous about your technique, then use Mod-Podge to help you along. It will seal off the cut edges to prevent paint bleed.



Use the same sponge as you used to paint the canvas. Blot off excess paint and dry it. Do not add water!!!

Sponge Mod-Podge fairly liberally over your stencil.

Dry.



Once the Mod-Podge is dry, you'll need make-up wedges or stencil brushes.



Pour some of your botanical colors onto a paper plate. You won't need much paint.

Use as little paint as possible, especially on the first coat. Less is more with stenciling!



Blend some white paint with your color to create a few shades of the same color.



Blot paint onto your flower in thin layers, alternating between shades to create interest and movement.

It'll look really messy to begin with, but stick with it!



Keep adding color and adjusting with subsequent coats, drying in between.




Blot very thin layers of black paint onto your text and borders. See in the image above, how little paint is used for the first layer. Once that is dry, you can load more paint onto your sponge.



After 2-3 coats, the coverage looks complete.

Allow your painting to dry fully.



Once dry, use a nail or weeding tool to remove the stencil.



The big reveal is so satisfying!




Now your canvas is good to hang up ... or you can add a few finishing touches.




With a 1 inch nail dipped into black paint, you can add seeds or accents to the centers of your flowers, where necessary.



Such a happy splash of color! It looks fabulous in any room with or without a frame.

I hope you enjoyed your art experience!


This same technique works exactly the same on multiple formats, such as canvas bags, synch bags, pillow covers, napkins, table cloths, hand towels etc.


See the slideshow below for further design inspiration or view additional photos on Three & Me's Instagram Feed.







#threeandme #botanicals #canvas #flowers








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Reviews

Created. Enjoyed. Reviewed ...

Had the most fun tonight with an amazing instructor and many wonderful friends! Three & Me out did themselves with beautiful presentation and amazing craft that I am excited to display in my home! I look forward to another opportunity to craft with Three & Me in the future!

Camas, WA

What an amazing experience! Claire is an incredible instructor and makes these projects so fun and truly easy for those like me who are not artsy! She is extremely organized and everything is so well thought out and ready in advance. I can hardly wait to take more classes in the future. I would highly recommend Three & Me!

Angela H.

Camas, WA

I just went to my first Three & Me workshop. It was a wonderful experience. Claire is a warm hostess and an excellent instructor. Making everyone feel engaged and successful. The materials are top notch and every detail is well thought out. It’s a great escape for a personal creative moment or a fun way to connect with friends and family while expressing your inner artist.

Camas, WA

Such a fun string art class tonight! Claire is a wonderful instructor and everything was so beautiful; the display, the art, the examples, the supplies, the snacks! So fun!

Camas, WA

This is truly a fun night out! Claire's instruction is helpful, humorous and fun! I love how she allowed us options to be creative and put our own twist on our projects. There is a lot of attention to detail with the set-up, supplies and refreshments which did not go unnoticed.  I can't wait for the next project!

What a fun evening! Claire has thought of every detail and guides you step by step through the whole process! She is such an encourager and makes you feel like you have just made a masterpiece! I highly recommend her classes! I can't wait to take another one!

Camas, WA

I had such a fun evening! Three & Me had everything presented beautifully and organized in a way that made it easy to follow along for those of us that aren't necessarily crafters by nature! Thank you for a fun night!

Courtney H.

Camas, WA

Thank you Claire Houlding for an incredible night! It was so much fun creating with Three & Me!

Hollen F.

Camas, WA

You all did such a great job! Claire Houlding what a fun thing you are starting in our community! Love it. So fun to be there tonight!

Jennifer B.

Camas, WA

I craft a lot at home, but doing crafts in a class with friends is so much better. THREE & ME makes it so easy to do the things I am interested in, without having to find the supplies and figure out how to do it on my own. I've just booked my next ladies night with Claire! I can't wait. 

Vancouver, WA

Tonight, a bunch of lucky ladies got to craft along side one of the very best. Claire's heart, is hands done one of the very best and those of us who were there got to create something amazing that we will proudly display in our homes. Many laughs and much fun was had by all. I highly recommend one of Three & Me classes to anyone in the area! Spread kindness around like confetti!!

​

Lana E.

Camas, WA

Art is not my strength. I don't have a creative bone in my body. So I came to a workshop because my friend made me... and I made something I now love. I was expecting to sit and watch, but landed up getting fully involved! My husband and kids don't believe that I made it myself. I'm coming again and I'm bringing my sister... she's even worse at crafts than me.

Alyson S.

Washougal, WA

We had such a fun girls night out making Christmas signs. Claire did a wonderful job explaining what to do and they turned out great! We are all looking forward to more events!! Thank you!

Kristine A.

Camas, WA

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