Bright Star

While family photos often provoke emotional reactions, there are times when we come across a photo of a person whom we are not related to but feel a connection with. The photo of the man in Bright Star evoked wonderment when Ruth came across it. Immediately she felt as though this young man was entrusted with hope and inspired to continue on a journey that was perhaps unknown to him.

The layers of texture created with molding paste are almost fluid with the addition of wavelike scribbles. One cannot help but feel as though this man was perhaps sailing off on an adventure of a lifetime.

Materials List

1¹⁄₂" (38mm) bristle brush

24-gauge wire

assorted acrylic paints

adhesives

awl

blue colored pencil

buttons

container

instant coffee

lined paper

molding paste

palette

photo of a person

rags

sanding block

scissors

spreader or scraper

wedge

wire cutters

wood block, 3" × 3" (8cm × 8cm)

wood board, 8" × 8" (20cm × 20cm)

STEP 1: Prepare the Board

Prepare the 8" × 8" (20cm × 20cm) board by applying a layer of gesso to the surface. Let dry.

STEP 2: Apply a Layer of Molding Paste

With a scraper, spread on molding paste like you are frosting a cake. Make even strokes your layer should be about ¹⁄₈" (3mm) thick. Let it dry.

STEP 3: Add Additional Molding Paste

If need be, add additional molding paste using a spreader.

STEP 4: Write Into the Molding Paste

With an awl scribble into the paste, cleaning your awl often so your letters don’t start to drag together. Allow to dry overnight.

STEP 5: Mix the Colors

Place equal parts of molding paste and mint green paint on a palette and mix together with a spreader.

STEP 6: Apply the Color to the Wood Block

With a spreader or brush, apply the mixed paint to the small wood block.

STEP 7: Make Marks Into the Paint

With an awl or Catalyst Wedge, create scrolls in the wet paint on the wood block.

STEP 8: Apply Gesso

With a large paintbrush and gesso, cover the entire surface of the large panel. Let dry.

STEP 9: Paint the Large Panel

With a large brush and Titanium Buff paint, cover the entire surface of the large wood panel and allow to dry.

STEP 10: Create a Coffee Stain

Place 1 tablespoon instant coffee into ¹⁄₄ cup of hot water and mix.

STEP 11: Apply a Coffee Stain

Apply the diluted coffee onto lined paper.

STEP 12: Prepare a Photo

Cut the image from the photo or a photocopy.

STEP 13: Layer the Image

Adhere the image onto a 1¹⁄₂" × 2" (4cm × 5cm) piece of coffee stained paper.

STEP 14: Add Some Markings

Create markings around the photo using a blue colored pencil.

STEP 15: Create a Wash

Mix 1 teaspoon Payne’s Grey paint with 1 tablespoon water.

STEP 16: Apply the Wash

Apply the wash to the top and sides of the small block, covering the mint green paint.

STEP 17: Remove the Excess Paint

With a dry cloth, rub the excess paint from the mint green, allowing the undertones to come through.

STEP 18: Apply Coffee Stain to the Relief

With a large brush, apply coffee stain to the top and sides of the 8" × 8" (20cm × 20cm) board.

STEP 19: Buff the Stain

With a dry cloth, rub the stain into the crevices, highlighting the hills and valleys.

STEP 20: Sand the Small Block

With a sanding block, sand the edges of the small block allowing more of the mint green undercoat to come through.

STEP 21: Adhere the Photo

Adhere the photo to the center of the painted block.

STEP 22: Add Color

With a brush, add Payne’s Grey to the edges of the photo to blend the shading.

STEP 23: Create a Name

On a scrap of paper print the real name or a fictitious name and adhere it to the block.

STEP 24: Attach the Wire

Cut 3 yards (3m) of 24-gauge wire and wrap it around the perimeter of the small wood block.

STEP 25: Add Buttons

Place an assortment of buttons in one bottom wrap of the wire.

STEP 26: Close the Wire

Wrap the wire onto itself to close. Trim any excess wire.

STEP 27: Stack the Blocks

Adhere the small block to the large block with an strong adhesive.