The Process of Hand Painting Sea Shells

 

 

This is the beginning on my process of hand painting my sea shells to make them into hanging ornaments. I thought you all would like to see just how it's done. This post is the very beginning, I'll update it as I do them.

 

 

 

First you'll need shells, these are regular clam shells that I bleached and washed in very hot water. After they are washed just let them air dry.

 Make sure to inspect them, what your looking for are any cracks or sharp edges. I like my finished shells to be oh so smooth.

Then find your Dremel! You could use any drill but I find the hand held Dremel is very easy to use. I have a 1/8 inch drill bit in it and its just the right size for threading my cord or ribbon when the painting is complete.

That is as far as I've gotten so far today and wanted to post right away, so let me stop and go paint them so i can show you.............

 

Ok!! Here we go!

 

I first prime my shells, I use a indoor/outdoor acrylic paint, always in white, it just works for me to have a blank canvass so to speak.

I usually drill, prime and paint many at a time so I have them ready when I need them.

The inside of the shells I always do first, they get 2 coats.

Then the outside of the shell gets 2 coats of primer.

Let them dry, completely.

I wait a couple hours to let the paint completely set and dry.

I have these great mini paint brushes that I love! They are small enough to get fine detail. I'm using acrylic paint.

The horizon line always comes first, that way I can judge where I want the sky and the sand.

I work on the water.

Getting it just how I want it.

Then start on my sky. The sky is most always the same color as the water only a lighter, much lighter shade.

The sky takes a bit of time to get it just right (for me).

Then sand.

Again, it takes some work to get it how I like it.

Adding some dunes.

 
Then up goes the fence. and the start of the Christmas Wreath.

 

A red ribbon on the wreath and I use a Faber Castell artist pen to complete the fence.

 Added a few lil birds.

The shell is then framed in gold acrylic paint, I used Martha Stewart metallic paint. (Love that paint!)

 

And here it is,

 

all dressed up and ready for Christmas.

 

 

If you would like to order a hand painted shell you can leave me your email contact info here

on my blog or message me on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bauer-House/177430768993407?ref=hl

 

I also have ready to ship items ready in my Etsy shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/1022SeaShellAve?ref=si_shop

 

Price for shells either here on my blog or on FB is 14.00 each, if your local I will deliver. Otherwise shipping will be 6.00.

If you have found this info helpful I would love to hear from you, please leave a comment. This post has generated huge views but few comments. Thanks for reading :)