Painted Shells by Wendy Aspinall

After a recent trip to Rhode Island I came back with a bag full of large shells. Beautiful creamy colored shells with a large area perfect for painting.

Supplies you will need

• Acrylic gesso
• sponge brush
• Acrylic paints
• Paint brushes
• Inktense block in burnt earth
• Spray bottle with water
• Kae Pea | Goddess Within | Foam Stamp
• Kae Pea | Dot to Dot | Foam Stamp
• Posca White fine tipped paint pen
• Ink Buddy or sponge
• Gold leaf
• Gold leaf glue
• Clear Polyurethane varnish
• Golden shading grey

1. Gesso the inside of shell, two coats with drying time between. Spray ArtFoamies with water, rub a intense block on stamp. Stamp. Dry.
2. Paint in with Acrylic paints colors of your choice. Dry. Add shading and more colors.
3. Add details with Posca paint pen. Rub tiny amounts of shading grey to the shell . This will knock the colors back. This step is optional.
4. Add foil glue to edge of shell and any areas you to like to highlight with the gold foil. A heart or halo.
5. When glue is clear add the foil and brush off loose foil over a trashcan.
6. If some area didn’t stick. You can re apply the foil glue and foil again. Let's dry completely overnight.
7. Add a coat of polyurethane varnish to seal gold and painted area. 

Enjoy your shells. They make beautiful receptacles for your rings or in my studio for my pins and needles. Practical and stunning.

Video tutorial available here: https://www.wendyaspinall.art/

Thank you,
Hugs Wendy