The ‘Blended Pansy
When I blend a multi-petal flower like a pansy or a poppy, I number the petals before I begin to paint. I paint the petal that is farthest to the back first, and then build forward to the top (front) petal. Carefully study the design before you begin so that you are aware of the shadows. Color always moves from the center of the petals outward. The placement of color and shadows should not be confused when blending. When blending acrylics, the actual technique is easier when the paint is applied to unsealed wood. When a wooden surface is sealed, acrylic paint and extenders cannot penetrate the wood and will stay on the surface. This causes the paint to dry very quickly. If the wood is unsealed, then blending gel or extenders can penetrate the stained or raw, unsealed surface, enabling the acrylic paint to stay wet and be moveable for a longer period of time.Gather your supplies
FolkArt Artists’ Pigments: Burnt Carmine (BC), Burnt Sienna (BS), Green Umber (GU), Hauser Green Light (HGL), Hauser Green Medium (HGM), Ice Blue (IB), Medium Yellow (MY), Red Light (RL), Turner’s Yellow (TY), Warm White (WW), Yellow Light (YL) Brushes: Loew-Cornell Series 7300 Nos. 4, 8 and 10 shader, Series 7350 No. 1 liner Note: The size brush you use depends upon the size of the pansy you are painting. The above sizes were used to paint the step-by-step color worksheet. Additional materials: Masterson Art Products Sta-Wet Palette, FolkArt Blending Gel Medium, tracing paper, transfer paper, stylusTips for blending
1. Always use as large a brush as possible. 2. The paint should be a thick, creamy consistency. Paint that is too thin does not blend or cover well. 3. Most of the time, I work on a Sta-Wet Palette because it keeps the paints wet. 4. Use a light touch when blending. A heavy hand or pressing too hard can create overblending or a muddy effect.The pansy

