Bring your favorite Halloween characters to the stage with DecoArt Media®.

SUPPLIES

• paper towels
• pencil
• baby wipes
• hot glue gun and glue sticks
• craft knife or scissors
• watercolor paper
• palette knife
• wooden blocks
• printed images
• tree
• wooden shape
• LED string lights
• E6000 Glue
• puppet stage
• foam core

INSTRUCTIONS

NOTES:

Let dry completely between painting steps.

1. For a temporary backing to block the hole, cut a piece of black foam core to fit inside of the stage. (This stage had a cut-out hole in the back.) Down the center of the foam core, make a light cut. (Be sure this does not go all the way through. The slit will allow you to bend the foam core slightly so it fits inside of the stage.) If you would like it to be a permanent fixture in the stage, use hot glue to adhere it in.

2. Print off various vintage photos online of adults and kids. Use Matte Medium to adhere these photos onto watercolor paper. (This helps to add durability to the paper, so it doesn't curl when painted on.)

3. Paint three small wooden houses and doors in Raw Umber Fluid Acrylics. Mix together White Crackle Paint and a small amount of Raw Umber; use a palette knife to apply the mix to the entire house and door.
4. Paint the front of the door in black; wipe back with a baby wipe. Use a round brush to paint windows in Raw Umber. Paint the house with Raw Umber Antiquing Cream and wipe back with a paper towel. Adhere the door using E6000 Glue.

5. If desired, you can change the face that was already on the stage. Mix a similar color and paint it over that area. Paint all of the decorative wooden shapes and feet in Gold (Metallic). Water down Raw Umber Antiquing Cream and brush it over the gold surfaces. Use a paper towel to wipe back. Use E6000 Glue to adhere the wooden shapes and feet onto the stage.

6. Use a Carbon Black Spray Mister to spray the tops of the diorama trees. Also, paint the base of the trees in Carbon Black.

7. Cut out the figures using scissors or a craft knife. Add embellishments to the figures, such as hats or wings. Also paint some of their clothes in oranges, greens, purples, and browns. Paint small wooden blocks in black. Adhere them to the backs of the figures so that they stand up.

8. Add small lights to the ceiling of the stage using hot glue or tape.
9. Place the foam core background into the stage (if you have not already glued it into place). Place the houses in the back with the trees on each side. Position the figures as desired.

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