Alter a book into a true piece of art with mixed media and DecoArt Media®.

SUPPLIES

• water container
• palette or plastic plate
• paper towels
• scissors
• E6000 glue
• pencil
• 3/4" flat brush
• 1/2" flat brush
• baby wipes
• #6 round brush
• 1" painter's tape
• plastic cling wrap
• palette knife
• small stencil brush
• hardcover book
• jewelry piece
• frame
• lace trim

INSTRUCTIONS

NOTES:

Let dry completely between painting steps.

To apply a wash, thin paint slightly with water and apply a sheer layer of color. Allow a wash to dry completely before adding another layer. To dry-brush, load paint onto a brush and remove the excess on a paper towel. Holding the brush upright, stroke lightly over the surface leaving a small amoun

1. Wrap the pages of the book with clear plastic cling wrap. Secure with blue painter’s tape, placing the tape evenly along the inside edge of cover.

2. Apply White Gesso to both the outside and inside covers of the book. When dry, position the textured frame on the front cover and trace the inside edge with a pencil. Remove the frame and apply painter’s tape around outside of the rectangle. Use a palette knife to spread an even coat of Crackle Paste inside the taped area. Place the Americana Jacobean Floral Stencil on the back cover. Spread an even coat of Crackle Paste through the stencil using a palette knife.
3. When completely dry, use Matte Medium to adhere pieces of lace around the crackled rectangle on the front cover, on the spine of the book, and randomly on the back cover. When completely dry, use E-6000 to adhere the frame and decorative jewelry piece to the front cover.

4. Apply White Gesso over all the applied texture elements. (I found the easiest way to position the book for painting was to use two tall mugs to support the covers. See photo.)

5. Apply a wash of Phthalo Turquoise to the entire cover. Pounce a crumpled baby wipe into the paint while still wet, lifting paint in some areas to create a variety of values. When completely dry, apply an additional solid sheer wash with Phthalo Turquoise. Repeat until you like the color.

6. Randomly apply a sheer wash of Green Gold to the background, avoiding the frame and central piece. While wet, lightly blot the wash with a baby wipe to blend. Paint the frame and jewelry piece Phthalo Turquoise.

7. Dip a brush in White Gesso and dab the excess on a paper towel to lightly dry-brush White Gesso over the tops of the lace pieces. (Hint: I found using the flat area at tip of a stencil brush gave me much more control.)

8. Apply Cobalt Teal Hue and Green Gold in separate random areas over the lace pieces.

9. At this point, you can adjust the color to your preference by applying washes of Cobalt Teal Hue or Phthalo Turquoise in any areas. If an area is too light/bright, a wash of Phthalo Turquoise will darken it. If it is too dark, a wash of Cobalt Teal Hue will lighten it. A wash of Phthalo Turquoise placed around any lace piece will also appear to lighten the lace.
10. Lightly dry-brush Metallic Gold over the frame and jewelry piece. When dry, repeat with Metallic Gold and Metallic Silver to highlight.

11. Paint the inside cover with a wash of Phthalo Turquoise, pouncing with a crumpled baby wipe while wet. When dry, wash Green Gold in random areas. Create the color you prefer with an additional wash of Phthalo Turquoise.
12. Spray a light coat of Americana Matte Spray Finish to protect the book.
13. Remove the plastic cling wrap and fold the pages. (There are many patterns available for both images and words made by folding the pages of a book. An online search for “folded books” or “folded book patterns” will lead you to further information. I purchased an alphabet pattern on Etsy. I marked the pages for folding, painted the covers, and then folded the pages. If you don’t want to fold the pages, simply painting the cover of a much loved book would make a great gift, too.

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