diy guide on painting | Cherie Roe Dirksen

Secrets of the Trade

In the fabulously expressive and creative world of art, I am probably best known for my gold spiral-patterned backgrounds that are usually laced with flowers in the foreground — which, in more cases than not, happen to be poppies (just because I am so very fond of them).

Here is the finished result of a painting called ‘Red Poppies’

(The original is SOLD but you can get prints at SAATCHI — click on picture to take you to the gallery and to read a description of what urged me to paint this 😉

I managed to photograph the process, so come be a fly on my studio wall.

This is the first time I have ever done this and am now going to show you my best kept secret — drum-roll please…

I hope you enjoy seeing the project unfold:

1. It starts off rather dull and messy, laying a black foundation…

2. When the foundation layer of black has dried, I chalk out the poppy layout…

3. Then I start adding the gold motif with an acrylic liner (a squeeze tube with gold acrylic paint inside). As you can see below, I have to sign the painting before it is actually finished so I can work around the signature with the pattern…

Because this one is so large, I have to lay it on its side to get to the various different parts otherwise my arm will drop off with the effort…

4. With the background finished, I can now start to add the colour to my poppies…

5. I keep on adding layers of colour until I get that rich lustre I am after…

6. Last, but not least, I add the gold stamen work to finish off the painting…

The painting is finished (and so is the artist…lol)!

You can purchase prints of the above by CLICKING HERE or on the pictures below — I’ve got framed prints, canvas prints, greeting cards, pillows and tote bags with this design on: