This little tree shaped box holds a surprise inside. A small, cut in half,wooden egg is glued to the lower left side of the bottom to form the body and is painted to be a little mouse. Dabby blending is featured on the elf-like Santa that S. Clement Moore wrote of in his famous “Twas the Night Before Christmas", which was the inspiration for this piece. The background details are just softly indicated with Retarder blending strokes to keep the elfin Santa the center of interest.
Mediums
Painting medium of choice
Retarder Medium
Waterbased Polyurethane Varnish, Satin
Palette
Diox Purple
Brilliant Violet
Napthol Red Light
Gold Oxide
Juane Brilliant (optional)
Yellow Oxide
Yellow Deep
Pacific Blue
Celadon
Pine Green
Burnt Umber
Skin Tone Base
Unbleached Titanium
Warm White
Oakmoss
Soft White
Flesh mix = Skin Tone Base + touch of Gold Oxide
Brushes
#4 round, #4 fibert - Basic painting
#2 liner - Fine details
1" flat - Appyling Retarder
1/2" oval glaze - Applying glaze color
1/2" stippler or small bristle or mop - Softening out glaze color