Bird’s Nest

Nestled within this little nest are tiny eggs created from paper clay. Ruth once again pays homage to her love of home and life. In creating something that signifies the beginning of a new life cycle we are oftentimes renewing our creative energy. Your task is to create a piece that employs the techniques Ruth has used while breathing energy into your creativity.

Materials List

acrylic paint, assorted colors

acrylic sealer

foam brush

hot glue gun

knife

muslin

paintbrush

paper clay

paper towels

plaster wrap

plaster

stiff brush

Styrofoam ball

white school glue

wood board, 3¹⁄₂" × 3¹⁄₂" (9cm × 9cm)

STEP 1: Apply the Base Layer

Paint the board with Titanium White acrylic paint and let dry.

STEP 2 :Create a Crackle Layer

Place a medium coat of white school glue over the dry white paint. Let it sit for five minutes.

STEP 3: Paint Over the Crackle

Mix equal parts of light blue paint and Titanium Buff (slightly watered down), then apply the mix over the glue. Let it dry completely, which can take up to about two hours. A heat gun can be used, but the paint will start to blister easily, so it is better to let it dry naturally.

STEP 4: Create the Eggs

Use paper clay and roll out three small eggs in the palm of your hand then set them aside to dry.

STEP 5: Paint the Eggs

Paint the dried eggs with two parts light blue to one part Titanium Buff. Mix one part Raw Umber with one part water to make a wash, and use a stiff brush to splatter the wash on the eggs.

STEP 6: Alter the Fabric

Tear three 1" × ¹⁄₂" (3cm × 1cm) strips of muslin for the nest. Splatter the Raw Umber mix on the strips with a stiff brush.

STEP 7: Create the Nest

Cut a 1" (3cm) strip of plaster wrap and place it on top of the board. Then cut a Styrofoam ball in half and place it onto the plaster strip.

STEP 8: Build Up the Nest

Cut three 1" (3cm) strips of plaster and place them over the Styrofoam. Follow this by placing a 1" strip of dipped plaster wrap across the base where you want your nest to rest.

STEP 9: Secure the Nest

Place the nest on a plaster strip. Use a few pieces of the plaster to secure the nest to the base. Blot up any excess plaster left on the board with a paper towel. Allow it to dry.

STEP 10: Paint the Nest

Mix equal portions of Burnt Sienna and Raw Umber with two parts of white. Paint the nest.

STEP 11: Add Shading

Using a light blue watered-down wash lightly paint over the top layer of plaster. Blot away excess water with a paper towel, making sure not to let too much of the mixture run over onto the crackle paint.

STEP 12: Create Some Leaves

Paint on light green leaves. Once dry, paint the entire piece with acrylic sealer.

STEP 13: Attach the Fabric and Eggs

Secure the fabric and eggs with hot glue.