Christmas Clasics with Gallery Glass

Best Tree Ever --24"x36" Poster Frame

'Tis the season to put up the best of the BEST. I have loved this Tree for 30 years and it will probably always be my favorite. There is so much to look at--you can study it for hours. Gingerbread boys, lighted candles, poinsettias, golden bells, holly with berries, spruce fronds, metallic ornaments, seasonal fruit, a stocking with candy cane and even a doll. The only thing that's missing is light--and the sun provides that very nicely. Add a metallic bucket and some Hologram snowflakes and you've got a winning combination. It's definitely not a beginner project and a perfect candidate for the Tape Tip Leading Technique (see category for details), but you've got to love the fact that the poster frame costs less than $20 at Michael's and it is reusable. Don't even consider anything smaller.You're NOT going to love the fact that I can't bring myself to color code it. The pattern is available in below and you can do it in colors to match your decor. You can add the background "window panes" once you have selected the project frame. Just make sure they are of equal size. Extend the lines through the spacey areas at the bottom of the tree. Set it in the window and wait for the oooohs and ahhhhhhhs!

Santa Claus is coming to town in an 18"x24" Poster Frame

Who doesn't want a big bold beautiful Santa on their window? I have always loved the detail of his design, from the stitches on his pack to the jingle bells on his boots. He's gorgeous. Just make sure you have a new bottle of GG 16850 Ruby Red Shimmer for his velvet suit and a full bottle of 16851 Green Shimmer for his pack. They are my favorite colors at holiday time and if you can't find them, try --plaidonline.com.
Have I told you lately how much I love Dover Clip Art Books. I have gotten on a roll this season from one of their Books that I've had for over 30 years. But the good news is, it is still in print. It is Ready-to-Use Christmas Designs--ISBN - 0-486-23900-4 (doverpublications.com). Most of the elaborate designs that you have seen on my blog since Thanksgiving are from that book. I found it again over the holidays and can't stop interpreting the designs into Gallery Glass onto my new great love Poster Frames. They are a winning combination. By the way, they have a clip art book on almost every subject you can imagine, so save your holiday money and splurge. Remember, as an artist--you're only as good as your resource file!

Erupting Euphonium - 12x18" Poster Frame

I'll bet you thought it was a Flugelhorn! So did I, but I looked it up. Nevertheless, it is awesome. It must be Santa's Euphonium because toys are flying out of it. I took the opportunity to differentiate the carving detail with Gold Sparkle, Gold Glitter and Sunny Yellow. The combination makes a beautiful brass effect with very little effort. 12"x18" is a good size for this design. The toy detail isn't too small to lead easily with a tape tip. (Are you proficient at making one, yet?) Just checking.
The poster frame is so convenient to use. The styrene comes in the frame. I also have been mounting them with 2 large suction cups. You can put it on a window, anywhere without any hooks or wires. The lightweight frame is not too heavy and hasn't fallen off, so far. I just love it when projects are simple and easy. I got this poster frame on sale (BOGO) at Michael's. Wow, I laid awake thinking what a good deal that was and went back the next day to stock up. They make great gifts-- painted with Gallery Glass. You're going to be seeing a lot of them in the next few months on this blog because I have a garage full.

Ultimate Holiday Wreath - 18"x24" Poster Frame

So you have two windows and you need a companion piece for the Candles (see below). That's my situation, so I was motivated to find a design that would use the same color palette and a subject matter that would complement the other project without being--more candles. Besides fruit CAKE, a fruit WREATH is about as traditional as you can get. I was lucky enough to find a clip art motif that was blooming with luscious edibles. Though not a beginner project, it can be done by an intermediate who has mastered the Tape Tip Leading Technique (posted under Leading Tips). The shading is a little more delicate because you want the fruit to be highlighted in a realistic manner. But otherwise, it's a simple 2 step project--outline and paint. Check out the Patterns and Color Keys category to the right of the page for the complete pattern and detailed painting instructions.





Christmas Candles on 18"x24" Poster Frame

The end of the year holidays are my very favorite decorating opportunities. Why? Because we get to use so much glitter! That, and the color scheme is almost as bright and colorful as Pre-school artwork. We're going to go crazy with Gallery Glass designs before the end of this season, but I thought it fitting to start with one of my all time favorites. These candles have intricate detail and the illusion of carving created by the two shades of opalescence. The aura around the candles looks like rays emanating from the flame because I pulled the Hologram Glitter paint out from the Sunny Yellow in lines, leaving space in between them so that they wouldn't run together. The beautiful bow is made to look more dimensional by shading the Ruby Red with Berry Wine. And after the reds dry, squeeze a line of Hologram glitter along the edge of each section for that high end ribbon look. Other than these two special (but, easy) techniques, the painting is simple, just fill in the colors.
If you haven't discovered the Poster Frame aisle at your local craft store (I got this one at Michael's), you need to schedule a trip. The first good thing about them is that the molding is light weight (for easy hanging)and they come in a variety of standard sizes. The second good thing is that they come with the pre-cut styrene already in them, instead of glass--another plus, especially for shipping to mom and the gang. The third good thing is the price (we like it). They are much less expensive than buying standard frames with glass. Look to the right of this page under Project Categories - Patterns and Color Keys for the pattern and supplies list. You can blow the pattern up to any size, however, it is too detailed for anything smaller than a 16"x20".
Now, let's talk about the gratification factor. The design is elegant and impressive, without being difficult. The toughest part will be the outlining the pattern--definitely an opportunity to wind a Tape Tip on the Liquid Leading bottle. Take your time, the compliments are going to be worth it.

Elegant Gallery Glass Designs to adapt for Round Surfaces

Elaborate Ornaments - 12" Round

Let the bell toll and the ornament, too! Who wouldn't love to have this elegant piece hanging near their holiday tree. I am drawn to the delicate detail on both and it opens up a world of possibilities to use your specialty paints--Sparkles, Glitters and Shimmers. It doesn't really matter which of those you use where--as long as the placement complements the adjacent choices. I used Gold Sparkle for the Ornament with Gold and Hologram Glitter as accents. To coordinate, I used Silver Sparkle for the Bell with Silver and Hologram Glitter as accents. See, it's easy as long as you're consistent.
The pattern and supply list are at the bottom. You can enlarge these designs to fit clear glass plates, or 10" smooth plastic plates from the party store.



Simple Holiday Wreath - 12" Round

It's not all about detail. Big, Bold and Beautiful are my preferred qualifications for a good Gallery Glass Design. This is a project you can lead in 10 minutes and it doesn't take a lot of blending and shading to get the look you see. The secret is letting the paint dry, then adding the detail with glitter paints on TOP of the cured paint. It sparkles and winks with the blinking of the lights on the tree and is certain to be a big holiday favorite. It makes a great gift because it is colorful and impressive, but doesn't take a weekend to make. That's a good factor to consider at this busy time of year.





Elaborate Ornaments  - 12" Round

Enlarge pattern to 12". This design can also be done on an 11x14" poster frame, if round is not available. If you do not have Silver Sparkle, you can use Black Onyx and White Pearl in varying amounts on the areas marked 421. If you don't have either of the Glitter Colors, you can use Plaid's Extreme Glitter Gold, Hologram and Silver, which come in a 2 oz. size. Slender Bands on the ornaments are darkened, as indicated with dots and then combed to make the new darker color.
Supplies: 12" Round Chain Wrapped Plexi Blank, 16008 Kelly Green, 16015 Ruby Red, 16019 Gold Sparkle, 16010 Amber, 16023 Berry Red, 16024 Ivy Green, 16079 Black Liquid Leading, 16081 Crystal Clear, 16095 Black Onyx, 16440 Gold Glitter, 16441 Silver Glitter, 16442 Hologram Glitter, 16225 Gallery Glass Tool Set.

Easy, Breezy Gallery Glass for Christmas

Fabulous 10" Rounds
Ho, Ho, Ho! Santa is in the house. At least he will be when you complete this easy Santa head shot. It is a great design for kids to do as they wait for the anticipated "eve" to approach. The colors are traditional and most children pick this project as their favorite. Although the design is less detailed than I prefer, the subject matter can't be beaten. I often lead up all 3 round designs (Candle, Bells & Santa) and offer the artists a choice at holiday classes. That gives them a very pleasant dilemma--which one do I choose.

Try this candle as a warm up. It's quick and easy and makes a great gift (recurring theme of shopping network presentations). Once you get the supplies assembled, you can probably complete the whole project in about an hour of leading and painting. I often hang this piece with the Christmas Bells 10" Round because the colors and scale compliment each other.

At holiday time, bells often remind us of church services and family gatherings, and this piece certainly fulfills it's potential. Although it is an easy design, it will be admired by everyone that sees it. The colors are bright and cheerful--sure to bring joy to any heart that looks at them.









Wall Art or Window Art?

Bells are such a traditional holiday theme that it's hard to think of a new way to display them. But this round project has a lot of appeal--because of the carved detail on the bells and the opportunity to alternate the Silver Sparkle and the Silver Glitter. I know, I know--Silver Sparkle is discontinued and I have the only remaining bottle.
But did you know that you can make a similar color with White Pearl and Black Onyx. Shake them together in the bottle so that they are thoroughly mixed. I also used Red Glitter on the Bow--also discontinued, but you can mix Plaid's Red Extreme Glitter into Crystal Clear and get the same effect. Why would you want to go to all that trouble? Here's one reason.

People often ask me if you can hang Gallery Glass on the wall. Here is a good opportunity to do that. I used a number of Glitter colors in this piece. With the larger glitter chips, light is actually blocked so that the segments look "peppery" when strong light comes through it. So, the projects with glitter and sparkle paints look good against a wall because the chips reflect light. Notice how dark the Silver Sparkle looks because it doesn't let the light through. Look at the difference, and you be the judge.  Better yet, make a project with lots of glitter paint and move it around because it will look good anywhere.












Four of the Easiest Christmas 6"x9" ovals

Sometimes you need something fast and easy--both to lead and to paint-- especially when you are hosting a party of young artists or the young at heart. These designs are classic subjects and good line design, but the spaces are large and paint up quickly. The 6"x9" ovals are discontinued, but these designs work well on the plastic plates from the party store, or as suncatches, if you make them a little smaller than shown.

I like to offer a variety of designs for the artists to choose from because you may have leftovers and the fast kids can complete 2 or more designs (which they will love to do). It helps that they all use about the same colors. The good thing about the Gingerbread House and the Snowman is that they can be used after Christmas. Soon we will be adding a lot of designs of January snow scenes, but these two designs can bridge the gap. I prepare designs for every week of the year, so the "bridge" designs between holidays are very important.

Laurie shares a Gallery Glass Nativity Scene

Our friend, Laurie Morris, has designed a perfectly marvelous "Cling" which is an excellent way to hang a Nativity Scene on a patio door or double hung window near the tree and stockings. I love the modern look of the stable supports. It is a beautiful interpretation of the Christmas story and she got the idea from a picture of a real stained glass piece. (Anything they can do--we can do better!) Great job, Laurie, thank you for sharing the idea with us.

And since Laurie brought up the subject, I thought we should re-cap some of the Nativity concepts we have explored in the past. Lest we forget...............

Making the Project fit the Frame
I wanted to create a special gift but my problem was framing! The unusual length of the piece made it impossible to find a non-custom frame that would work. I first took a picture of the original and printed it out. Then I calculated the ratio, (length divided by the height as 2.2). I knew that my poster frame had a 1.5 ratio so I stretched the vertical measurement on my copier with the "Copy Ratio--X/Y  Zoom" feature until the image matched the 1.5 ratio. Then I enlarged the image to full size--leaded and painted it. It worked pretty well, except that the people look rather tall and skinny. I loved painting this scene because the Wise Men colors are so vibrant and because I got to use all the specialty paints--glitters and sparkles. 

 
This is a trick that I use quite frequently when I have a surface that is a specific size and the artwork isn't the right proportion to enlarge--as is (like when you're doing your window). It will usually work without distorting the design too much. Most artists would consider THIS a drastic change, but the kids will never know the difference. They will just enjoy looking at it. I have never seen a Bethlehem scene handled with such imagination. I love the grown-up faces and the friendly sheep--the smart looking Wise Men and the humble shepherd--the arrogant camel and the sweet faced donkey. I even like the look of the town behind them and the plunky palm trees. Notice the way the creche frames the whole group. There is so much detail, you can study it for weeks--all the way to Christmas and not get tired of it. And all of this is accomplished within a segmented design created with leading and paint. Amazing! 

On the other hand, not everyone wants to spend endless hours on a project. There are design levels to fit every one's taste. This is a triptych design from an old Plaid book that tells a story, similar to the big piece, but with a lot less characters. It would certainly start a conversation with little ones about the meaning of Christmas. I cut 2 -  8x10" styrene blanks into two equal pieces and leaded and painted the designs. Then after they were dry, I taped them together on the back and cut off the excess width of tape, so that it wouldn't show from the front. It makes a lovely screen in front of a votive candle.

But if it bothers you that 2 of the main characters are missing...try the 8x10" Mother and Child design. The style of this project is considered to be juvenile, primarily due to the simple facial expressions. But it is a nice project and could be completed by your resident child in an afternoon.
Bottom line - there is a style and a level of difficulty for almost every subject that will fit the needs and desires of the crafter. I try to show you both ends of the spectrum in this blog. You just need to look for your own personal balance between the two.