My Sacred Heart Hopes

Creating markings and doodles is an extension of our internal creative self. When these marks are one with the piece of artwork, they represent that deep-in-thought side that often finds itself working into each piece I create. Create a piece that highlights your personal marks, and allow yourself to doodle within the artwork; you can always remove anything that doesn’t fit.

Materials List

acrylic paint, assorted colors

adhesive

book text scrap

buttons, 3

dictionary scrap

gel medium

gesso

gray Gelatos

ledger paper

medal

paintbrushes, including a round

pencil

ribbons

scissors

sheet music scrap

towel or cloth

wallpaper scrap

white watercolor crayon

wood board

STEP 1: Prepare the Board

Paint on a layer of gesso and let dry.

STEP 2: Paint the Background

Once the gesso is dry, paint a layer of blue paint on three-quarters of the board. Paint a strip of cream paint on the bottom quarter of the board.

STEP 3: Add Lines in the Cream Paint

While the cream paint is still damp, create random linear markings using a pencil.

STEP 4: Add a Paper Layer

Apply a thin layer of gel medium to the back of a piece of book text and adhere to board. Follow with wallpaper, ledger paper and dictionary text.

STEP 5: Create a Sheet Music Heart

With scissors cut a heart from sheet music. With a pencil add markings within the perimeter of the heart. Adhere the heart to the top of the paper background.

STEP 6: Create Some Scallops

Along the top perimeter of the board create a series of scallops using a pencil. Fill in the scallops using crème paint and a round brush.

STEP 7: Shade

Once the cream paint has dried, shade the curved area of each scallop with gray Gelato. With a wet towel or cloth add a bit of water to each marking and smear, creating a smudged effect.

STEP 8: Add Personal Markings

With a graphite pencil add personal markings to the perimeter of the board. Repeat this action within the heart as well as the wallpaper and ledger paper.

STEP 9: Create Some Crop Marks

With a pencil create crop marks on all four corners of the French book text as well as the wallpaper.

STEP 10: Add the White Shading

With a watercolor crayon, add white around the perimeter of the paper and in random areas of the board.

STEP 11: Add Gray Shading

With a gray gelato add shading as you did in step 7, this time to the bottom area of cream paint and around the perimeter of the paper and the board.

STEP 12: Make the Ribbon Pack

Stack three strands of ribbon together and place them through a metal bail. Tie the ribbon in a simple knot.

STEP 13: Place the Ribbons

Add a drop of glue to both the board and the ribbons and adhere. Allow to dry.

STEP 14: Add the Buttons

Adhere buttons to the bottom right-hand corner.