Decorative Painting Tutorial

This is fun Decorative Painting Tutorial, that will show you some tricks and tips! Not so very long ago I was totally freaked out by the thoughts of decorative painting. Since my husband (better known on my blog as Mr. SCC) is a genius at all things artistic, I’d come up with an idea and then beg him to make it happen. One day, while he was at work, I decided that I was going to learn how to do it – and ya know what? It was pretty simple stuff! With just a few basic techniques you can create some pretty amazing stuff. Today I thought I’d start simple with sharing how I do Tree Branch Painting. Those are the easiest thing to start with. {Don’t worry, I’ll show how to add the bird in a snap!}

The most important tool is a good paint brush. I only used one brush for all of the painting – a #2 liner brush. The paint is regular Sherwin Williams wall paint, in a dark brownish black (the color name is worn off my can – sorry!) Ok – let’s get started.

Since I use a dark paint for the branches, I use a plain old pencil to sketch out my rough outline. Before I ever put the pencil to my furniture, I studied the way that branches tend to act in nature.

Inspiration Image for Tree Branch Painting

Look at images of trees – like this one from The Graphics Fairy. Study the way that the branches move, intersect and play off each other. Practice on paper before you start sketching directly onto furniture, so that you get a feel for it. I practiced a LOT. You can even practice painting on those lines right on the paper, too!

Once you have the sketches on the furniture, it’s time to start painting. With paint on your brush, start on the tips of the branches and work towards the “trunk.” Let the branches get thicker as you go, like they would naturally. Think of the paintbrush like a more flexible pencil – don’t be scared! Keep a wet cloth so if you make a mistake you can wipe it off and start again.

Start at the very top of the branches and work your way down to the bottom. If your hand is a little shaky, that’s ok! It will just add character!

Cabinet door with Tree Branches painted on it

After the basic structure is complete, go back and free hand in some extra embellishments. Little off shoots here and there just add more to the tree. Notice where they come off of the graphic, that’s where you want to go.

3 Cabinet doors with branches handpainted

all the same door – in different stages

Now that the painting is done, let’s add some character with birds!

Start by covering a piece of cardstock with tissue paper. It’s kind of hard to see, but I wrapped it like a gift and taped it on the back with masking tape. Make sure to put the dull side out, so that you will print on it versus the shiny side.

Birds printable for Decorative Painting Tutorial

I put together a collage of all my favorite bird graphics on The Graphics Fairy. I turned the direction of them so I had birds going both directions instead of just one. Print the birds directly onto the tissue paper by running it through a printer.

After the ink is dry, sprayed the print with Blair Matte Digi-Finish. I did one side, then let it dry, and then the other. The spray does 2 things: makes the paper somewhat translucent & gives it strength.

When they are dry, trim them out. They don’t have to be perfect – but you can trim them as closely as you’d like. {I’m a little too impatient for perfection!} After you have them trimmed out, play around with the placement of them on your branches – just hold them up here and there to see where they work best. The birds with feet on branches made it easier to line the branches up with the ones I painted.

When you have the placement just right, use Mod Podge to put them in place by painting on a bit of it, then coating the top to hold them in place. I prefer matte finish, because you don’t want the birds shiny and the rest of your piece a different sheen. After it’s dry – you’re done!

Decorative Painted Branches with Birds on Cabinet

The birds help to bring the branches up to a whole new level!

I hope you enjoyed this Decorative Painting Tutorial and that you have fun doing some Tree Branch Painting of your own! Although it looks difficult, the entire cabinet took less than 2 hours to complete – that’s a lot of impact for a short while! It really is that easy 🙂

Since we’re talking about painting – I hope you stop by my blog today and see my studio, it’s getting a no money makeover!

Gina from the Shabby Creek Cottage

Comments

Patricia E Chisholm says

March 5, 2019 at 5:34 pm

Thank you very much for giving me the confidence to be able to do this !! I have looked at my bedroom closet wall and been scared to death! But I think as soon as I’m over this flu, I’m going to do it. I will send you a pic when I’m done !!!!
- graphicsfairy says
  
  March 6, 2019 at 10:34 am
  
  Thanks Patricia, go for it, you will be so surprised at how easy it is and how awesome it looks when you are done. Feel better soon!
Dianne Schlegel says

June 27, 2018 at 10:35 am

Thank you for the technique – I want to try this on greeting cards to see the results!
Dianne
- graphicsfairy says
  
  June 28, 2018 at 6:36 pm
  
  Good luck Dianne, I am sure they will be lovely!
Sylvie Bilger says

April 5, 2017 at 10:33 pm

This a wonderful! Mod Podge always comes in handy!
- graphicsfairy says
  
  April 6, 2017 at 9:03 am
  
  Thanks Sylvie, you are so right! It is amazing 🙂
Rhonda says

September 17, 2015 at 8:26 am

What printer do you use? I’m not sure I could run cardstock with tissue taped over through it.
Tammy says

July 23, 2012 at 9:33 am

Such a pretty finished piece of furniture. Thanks for sharing the great tutorial. I love trees and birds. Nature is such a calming thing to look at.
Fake gear says

July 19, 2012 at 11:22 am

awesome
michelle says

July 11, 2012 at 2:50 pm

I love this! It is so simple and beautiful. I can’t find the Blair Matte Digi Finish but the man at the art store told me Blair Matte Spray Clear would do the same thing. Would that be true?
Melissa Kojima says

July 10, 2012 at 8:39 pm

Oh thanks for all the tips. I really like the end results. I’m glad to know about keeping the wet cloth handy in case of mistakes.
céline says

July 10, 2012 at 10:47 am

Oh j’adore !!!
Oh I love !!! Thank’s for sharing …
Violeta Lago (Mamen) says

July 10, 2012 at 5:52 am

Beautiful!!!! Thanks for the idea…
Heaven's Walk says

July 9, 2012 at 6:43 pm

So cute, Gina! What an easy way of playing “artist”! 🙂

xoxo laurie
Edna says

July 9, 2012 at 6:15 pm

Gina, you have done a wonderful job, it is beautiful.
miss flibbertigibbet says

July 9, 2012 at 9:28 am

That looks just fabulous! Very graceful and delicate. Not overpowering at all! Love it. great tutorial for painting the branches too! If your printer is not a straight feed but a rollover feed then the method with the tissue might not work but there are ways to do it anyway. Love it!