DIY Valentine's Day Crafts
Posted by DecoArt on Feb 3rd 2023
February 1, 2023
DIY Valentine's Day Crafts - Pastels with Pop Dot Art
Create 'lovely' dot art hearts inspired by mandala making techniques. Learn how to make painted dots in various sizes using dotting tools and brush handles. It's as easy as dipping the tip in paint and pressing onto the surface.
DIY Valentine's Day Crafts - Pastels with Pop Dot Art
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Get The Templates here
BE MINE HEART
Step 1
Gather the supplies you will need to paint the 'Be Mine' heart. This will include the wood heart, the #1 flat brush, Baby Pink and Royal Fuchsia paints, dotting tools - 1/4" blue mandala making tool, and #3 round brush.
TIP: Before painting, prepare the wood surface by removing any labels. Lightly sand wood surface using sandpaper or sanding block to remove any roughness from the surface. Wipe with paper towel to remove wood dust.
Step 2
Using the 1" flat basecoat brush, paint the wood heart with Royal Fuchsia. Paint the sides (backside is optional) of the heart. Let dry. Rinse brush and dry before next step.
Step 3
Using the same brush, apply a second coat of paint for deep, rich color coverage. Rinse brush thoroughly and dry. Let the paint dry before starting the next step.
TIP: To expedite drying time, you may use a hairdryer on a low heat setting to dry the paint.
Step 4
Trim the design template, BE MINE, to fit inside the heart. Using Painter's Tape, secure the design template to the center of the heart. (You can use a ruler for precise placement or 'eyeball' it, like I did.) Cut out a piece of tracing paper that is larger than the design area to be transferred. Slide the tracing paper (glossy side down) under the paper. Use the pencil to lightly trace the lettering, BE MINE. Once the pattern is traced, remove the papers and the Painter's Tape.
TIP: Practice makes improvement! On a piece of paper, practice making dots until you are comfortable with the process. Making practice dots before you begin your project will also allow you to see how big or small the dot is that you will be making.
Step 5
Squeeze a small amount of Baby Pink paint onto the paint palette paper. Dip the tip of the brush handle of the #3 round brush into the paint. When applying the dots, place each dot on the center of the line to cover the design line. Place your first dot on the end of a letter as shown (refer to photo). Wipe the tip of the brush handle with a damp paper towel after each dot application to prevent paint build up. Continue to apply dots as close together as you can without them touching. A good way to evenly space dots it to place a dot on either end of the line, another in the middle, and then fill in the dots as you go (refer to photo).
Step 6
Continue to add dots to fill in the letters. It's okay if the dots are not exactly the same size or shape. You are still going to love the finished results. Don't worry about any transfer paper lines that may show between the dots. Once the paint is dry you can remove them with an eraser, but for the most part it is not necessary.
Step 7
Squeeze out some fresh Baby Pink paint onto the palette paper for the next step.
Step 8
Using the 1/4" mandala making tool, dip the tip into the paint and press to the top center edge of the heart. Wipe the tip and repeat, working your way around the edge of the heart.
Step 9
Allow the paint to dry after you finish your dot application. Clean your tools and brush handle tips.
PURPLE HEART
Step 1
Gather the supplies you will need to paint the purple heart. This will include the wood heart, the #1 flat brush, #3 and #5 round brushes (handle tips for dotting), Lavender and Light Buttermilk paints, dotting tools - 3/8" pink and 1/4" blue mandala making tool, and tiny dots styluses.
TIP: Before painting, prepare the wood surface by removing any labels. Lightly sand wood surface using sandpaper or sanding block to remove any roughness from the surface. Wipe with paper towel to remove wood dust.
Step 1
Using the 1" flat basecoat brush, paint the wood heart with Lavender. Paint the sides (backside is optional) of the heart. Let dry. Apply a second coat of paint for deep, rich color coverage. Rinse brush thoroughly and dry.
Step 2
Using Painter's Tape, secure the design template to the area of the heart where each mandala will be painted. Place a piece of tracing paper that is larger than the design area to be transferred. Slide the tracing paper (glossy side down) under the paper. For the two mandala designs on the bottom area of the heart, use the pencil to lightly trace all the dots of the inner circle only. For the two mandala designs on the top area of the heart, use the pencil to lightly trace every other dot of the inner circle only. Once the patterns are traced, remove the papers and the Painter's Tape.
Step 3
Squeeze a small amount of Light Buttermilk paint onto the paint palette paper. Dip the tip of the stylus into the paint. When applying the dots, place each dot on the center of the pencil dot. To make dot spacing more uniform, place dots on every other pencil dot, then fill in the dots between each painted dot. Wipe the tip of the stylus with a damp paper towel after each dot application to prevent paint build up on the tip.
Step 4
Add dots around the outer edge of the inner circle as you go, placing them in the top center of two dots (refer to photo). Use a slightly larger tip to add dots as you build your design.
TIP: To create graduated dots with the same tool, simply dip the tool into the paint and press the first dot. Do not wipe the tool tip between pressings. Continue to make dots alongside the first dot with the same tool. As you continue pressing the tool, the dots get smaller due to less paint on the tool, giving you a graduated dot pattern.
PIN IT
Step 5
Use the brush handle of the 1" flat brush to make the dots above the center circle made in Step 4. Use the small tip stylus to add small dots around each large dot. Wipe the tool and set aside. Use the 3/8" dot making tool to add the center dot to this design. Wipe tool.
TIP: Squeeze out small amounts of paint to use for each mandala rather than a large amount. This keeps the paint fresh and easy to dip into, making for crisper dot pressings on your surface.
Step 6
To paint the small design, use the tip of the handle of the #3 paint brush and dip into Light Buttermilk paint.
Step 7
Begin painting the next design using the large dot stylus. Repeat to create a double row of dots. Wipe tool between each pressing. Use the handle of the #12 flat brush to paint a third row of larger dots. Use the small dot styluses to make the smaller detailed dots (refer to photo). Wipe tools when complete.
These soft pastels will brim with love this Valentine's Day.
Love your creative life!
#yourart