How to paint a tote

The title of this post might not be correct.  We're not painting just any tote but one that I sewed myself and you can see here in my Etsy shop.  The instructions below cover only the painting portion of this project. I'll leave the How to Sew an Art Tote for another time.

I used acrylics as my painting medium but you can certainly use conventional oils and add Liquin medium if you want to have it dry faster.  I've also done this with the Artisan water mixable oils and love it.  But I prefer the drying time of the acrylics and that is why I've used them on this project. You decide!

You can find this tote and other colors here.

Take one of my totes (like the one shown above) and slip a piece of cardboard under the painting area.  And to ensure that you don't get paint in the wrong areas, cover with plastic:

Make sure you use blue painters tape or Frog tape to keep the cloth underneath clean.

I love sunflowers and don't get tired of painting them! So I apply at least one coat of white or buff titanium acrylic to prepare the  8x10 "canvas".  After it dries, I'll apply my imprimatura. In this case, I used a mix of cad yellow and white. Again, wait till it dries and sketch your image. It's lightly drawn.

You might see the drawing a bit better here:

I've outlined the sunflower and started with the darker center first.

As usual, I got so carried away with the painting that I forgot to take more pictures! You get the idea. This sunflower is basically done. I will spray varnish it but wanted to  photograph it  first so I  wouldn't get the glare.

 And finally.  This is what my completed tote looks like.  I would love to see what you come up with!

You can find this one here or one like it .

Please feel free to contact me here if you have any questions about any of these steps.


Cariños,
Maria Soto Robbins

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