These easy Santa Claus gourd projects are the perfect for a beginner in gourd art. Wonderfully talented, Deborah Adele is a great teacher with some unique ways to easily add depth and personality to the gourd characters using simple painting tips. In this post I will go through the process and point out things to watch for in the video. We will start with the figure and then she will show you the ornament!
Deborah is one of my favorite painting teachers. She goes slowly and gives you many close-ups as she goes through each step. Luckily, we can also stop the video and go back over a step. If you like her, check out other posts of her Christmas projects on the Archive page.
Here are the supplies you will need
- Americana Acrylic Paints by DecoArt (decoart.com)
- *Santa Red
- *Toffee
- *RedIron Oxide
- *Light Buttermilk
- *Lamp (Ebony) Black
- *Kelly Green
- Dazzling Metallics Acrylic Paint by DecoArt *Emperor’s Gold
- Americana DuraClear Gloss Varnish
- Paint Brushes
- *#3 Round
- *#0 Liner
- #1 Detail
- *#8 Flat
- *Scruffy Old Brush
- Tools and Supplies
- Water for cleaning brushes.
- Pallet Plate Towel for table surface.
- Napkins
- Pencil
This easy Santa Claus gourd will require a permanent setup
Next, choose a gourd that sits securely on the table. Clean and sand it well so the paint will cover easily. Also, take time to lay out your tools in a place where you can leave it. You want to take your time and allow layers to dry. Stay neat and clean. Once you are ready. (Did you turn on the Christmas music?) Give the gourd 3 coats of red. Then begin.
Here is a preview of the important steps for the easy santa claus gourd project
Easy Santa Claus Gourd Ornament
These little ornaments would make great stocking stuffers or gifts for friends. Beware, this project takes some steady fine line drawing with a brush which takes practice, but you can do it!
Supply List Easy for Santa Claus Gourd Ornament
- Americana Acrylic Paints by DecoArt
- (www.decoart.com)
- *Deep Burgundy
- *Toffee
- *RedIron Oxide
- *Dove Grey
- *Snow (Titanium)
- White *Lamp
- (Ebony) Black
- *Forest Green
- *Santa Red Dazzling
- Metallics Acrylic Paint by DecoArt
- *Emperor’s Gold
- Americana DuraClear Gloss Varnish
- DecoArt Traditions Paint Brushes
- *#3 Round
- *#3/0 Liner
- *#8 Flat
- *Scruffy Old Brush
Here is a preview of the steps in the ornament project
I hope these videos have inspired you to try at least one of these projects.
Please, share your thoughts here in the comment box or share them with all the gourd artists on our Facebook Group Page.
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Love your work. I have a bunch of gourds that I would like to paint like yours. Thanks for the lessons
Thank you for posting this tutorial. I have a question. I recently painted 2 gourds in a white oil based paint which is now throughly dry. Can I use acrylic paint on top of this base safely or will the acrylic flake off? Do I need to use oil based on top for the rest if the design. Thanks.
Stay with your oil paint. Have you tried the oil base markers for your detail work? They will never fade or come off!