UNUSUAL Hobby Paintings .(with instructions)

If you have some time on your hands, you may be thinking about taking up a new hobby or developing an existing interest further. this post still provides a useful list of Hobbies and Interests, covering both popular and more unusual hobbies.

1. Rock Painting
2. Leaf Painting
3. Egg shell Painting
4. Mat Painting.
5. Leather Painting
6. Tile painting.
7. Sea shell Painting.

So let’s have a brief look at these things in just a little more detail. May be I can acute your appetite so that you might just give one or two of them a try. I haven’t listed all of them by any means – the list would be almost endless, but have included the most popular and accessible of them for you to try. If you are successful with your chosen one(s) from this list, you can branch out on your own and be even more adventurous!



ROCK PAINTING

There are many creeks and streams you might visit where you can gather rocks and stones to your hearts content. But if for some reason you don't find any , that's okay.... You can go to your nearby Garden center and pick Decorative Rocks in whichever size you like. The requirements are that the stone should not be wobbly and should sit on one or more sides. Try to pick up stones which have an overall smooth surface.
It is a good idea to throughly clean the rock and allow it to dry before painting.

Tools for the trade

Rock
Chalk
Wide flat brush
Thin Liner Brush
Rounded Brush
Acrylic Paint
Palette and water to rinse


Step1
Divide your stone in to three sections.


Step 2
Equal Wings and a slightly smaller head. Make the outline with the chalk. If your first attempt is not satisfactory, wipe it with a wet tissue.
Every part with black paint except for the wings. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly before you go to the next step.

Step 3
Now add color to your Wings. Red or Yellow. You can use your flat brush. Paint around the edges of the wing, and if you need more than one coat, let the paint dry between applications. If you accidently paint over the black, don't panic!!!! Let it dry and then fix your mistake. Paint the spots with black. Use White for the eye and black for Antennae. Bring a personality to you bug by the expression she wears. It is totally up to you the creator.

Please refer this url for more info:
Free How To Paint Rocks Instructions


Some pre-designed works...
Contd.....

LEAF PAINTING

Painting on Peepal leaf is a delicate work of art originated in the southern India (Kerala). Its done on dry Peepal leaves. Its one of the oldest form of art, which shows the ingeniousness & patience of the artists. This art form originated because the leaves of the peepal tree have a beautiful shape as they taper to a needle point. Though now only a few artists are left who practice this leaf art.
Peepal Leaf Painting are great for making cards, wall decoration, bookmark, gifts. etc.

Themes of painting

Typically themes are painted on peepal leaves are:
• Religious Indian figures
• Animals
• Scenery
• But we can experiment with modern an abstract art also .

Material required

Its very inexpensive all you need is:
• Peepal Leaves
• Oil paints
• Sheet for the background

Method


The method is divided into 2 process
1. Drying the leaves
2. Painting on leaves

…….For drying Peepal leaves

Place a few leaves in a bowl full of water for15 days or a month . But do remember to check it once every few days to see the condition of the leaves. The purpose of soaking the leaves is to remove the outer layer of the leaves. After being in water for long, the leaves get a film over them, which you need to clean by washing it off or use a brush periodically. And do remember to change the water with a fresh one periodically Once the outer skin is lost, it leaves behind a beautiful bony structure, usually off-white in color.
Now dry it for a day & you got a leaf to paint on.

………For Painting the leaves

Step 1
Use oil paints to paint your favourite design on the peepal leaves

Step 2
Put a coloured sheet for background. Use a colour that will enhance the effect of the painting. The background is usually kept because Peepal leaves are very fragile and may rupture.

Tips and tricks

• The most important tip is to be patient while drying peepal leaves and handle them delicately.
• You can also paint the peepal leaf in two colours. To give it a different half and half look.
• Use Golden colour to make a border. You can also use golden colour for highlighting or making jewelery.
• Add glitter to enhance the look of your painting
• Mix and match various mediums. For eg. You can make Ganeshji of clay and stick on the peepal leaves
• If Painting is not your cup of tree then dip these dry peepal leaves in bright , vibrant water colours and then dry it. It will give beautiful look
• Many wedding cards are decorated with dry peepal leaf .You can also use these
• Cover with transparent sheet to protect your work.

Similar to the above lotus leaves even peepal leaves can be painted with vibrant colours
So just start just start and make your own creative piece of art on peepal leaf.



Some pre-designed works...
Contd.....

Yashi dear...Nice and new innovative topic
In rock painting loved the bunny, welcome and lady bug Very attractive....
In leaf loves the natural sceneries
Oooooooo lot more interesting things are going to come... eagerly

EGG-SHELL PAINTING

Many different things can serve as canvases. Most people paint on paper, while some draw on straw, I think egg shells are also wonderful to paint on. Its all about simple blending and then line drawing. Children LOVE this, and to have this round fragile object teaches them to be gentle as well as careful - yes even the rowdy ones!
Egg coloring doesn't have to be done with vinegar and little dye tablets. You can make each egg a work of art. Follow these instructions, and you won't have to crack open your 'egg-stra' special creations, either

Material required

Eggs
Nail/tooth pick.
Felt pen /Sketch pens
Acrylic colours.

Step 1
Start will a raw egg and nail - genitally tap the nail/tooth pick to create a hole in the top and bottom of the egg (centered as much a possible but don't worry too much). You can then get a wire to place inside the hole and wiggle it around to break the yolk up so you then can blow into the top hole which blows the wet egg out the bottom hole. Do not wash the inside of the egg - it dries inside and actually makes a stronger egg shell - but doesn't smell (much).
Scrambled eggs for dinner anybody?? Try to make the hole as small as possible.
For a sturdier egg, it's a good idea to reinforce it by spraying it with a few coats of flat white paint. Once the white paint is dry, you can let your imaginations run wild.

Step 2
Using pens ,draw the outline as you like to embel.

Step 3
Start with a light color - Here chosen a peach for the background of the sunset and gradually chose a darker color - up to red and blended.

Step 4
You layer the one color (here is peach) and then add a second color - a small patch at a time these pens dry really quickly - and use your fingertip to blend the color. Experiment with this - the more color you lay down the more you can blend (One quick stroke wont let you blend at all). Then move onto your third and fourth color to create a beautiful sunset color

Step 5
Then used a light green for the grass (all over the bottom of the egg) and then using a darker color green for hill accents. Now this color is drastically darker but you will come in with a medium color and blend all three colors at once. These markers wet the color underneath the one on top and then you can blend them all together. Just try it and you will see.

Step 6
As you can use different fingertip for each color family,Its hard to wash these off but worth it in the end. Do wash your finger tips when all the blending is done because your fingers do get sticky from all the ink.

Step 7
Choose a dark brown for the trees and added leafs and details as you can see. The brown overtakes what ever background blended color because its darker.

Step 8
To finish off the egg and give it a loop string - Cut a small circle of felt and sew a piece of yarn through it. You can create a loop or not, and send it through the egg and tie it off. The felt piece can be glued on the bottom of the egg or not but it gives the egg a place to rest.

Please view this url for stunning egg-shell painting done with melted wax.
http://petarock.homestead.com/howto_step_by_step.html

Some pre-designed works...
Contd.....

MAT PAINTING

Instead of traditional hardware for hanging drapes, think of unique pieces to coordinate with your theme, like an oar for a nautical-inspired room. Use store-bought brackets to secure it to the wall.

You can easily get the raw mat from the art shop.Can give a boarder piping(with velvet or satin cloth) to avoid spreading the mat-strings.or simply start your brush running over them.Finally can add that piping boarder work.Use them as wall hanging.
Mat paintings of Tripura features the best handicrafts from the North-East.Even in South-Tamilnadu its done as a hobby craft.

Method.

Step 1
Paint or stencil a design onto a beach mat.Take care to sketch the outlineas it tends to creates shaky lines.OR directly can do free-hand painting.

Step 2
Using Fabric/Acrylic as a casual shade. While painting don't mont on anything,as the paint drips.

Step 3
After fininshing ,let it to dry for 2-3 days.Then can give a varnish coat for glossy look.Even it prevents the mat from termites.


Some pre-designed works...
Contd.....

LEATHER PAINTING


Painting band logos on the back of a leather jacket, or flowers on a purse has long been a favorite project. Now, with sneaker customizations becoming more and more popular, leather painting is gaining popularity as well. With a few easy to find supplies, paint can be used on both large surfaces, as well as add decorative details.

Things You'll Need

Leather paint (water based acrylic paint)
There are more out there that you can find that will work as well. You just want to check the label and make sure it says for fabrics or leathers. Test it out and make sure that it sticks. If you find these, then great. You're on your way. They are water soluble, so you're not going to need any thinners or anything like that. You just need the paints. You can use flat paint. They also make a metallic paint. They're nice to mix together. If you want to maybe use it for like little highlights, the metallics are really good for that. You can mix them together and create different consistencies of the flat and metallic.

Paint brushes or airbrush
Acrylic deglazer or cleaner
Acrylic Finisher




Do a Quick Leather Painting Project
Step 1
Clean the leather thoroughly, removing any water spots and dirt. While a commercial "leather preparer and deglazer" will work, you can mix 1 oz. of oxalic acid (sold as leather bleach) to a pint of water. Be careful not to soak the leather, just do a gentle cleaning with a soft brush.

Step 2
Use a small amount of water to keep the leather moist before you paint it. This will help with absorption. Vegetable tanned leather will absorb the paint easier and will require less water. Do a test patch before you start painting to see how the paint reacts with your piece of leather.

Step 3
Choose water based acrylic paint. Angelus makes leather paint that is widely used and comes in several colors. It is available at online stores such as Turtle Feathers

Step 4
Do large patches of leather by diluting the paint (one part water to one part paint) and brushing it on with a broad brush. You will usually need two coats. Airbrushes are also optimal for large areas.

Step 5
Paint details and creative touches using a variety of smaller brushes and leather paint. Painting on leather is similar to painting on any surface, so use the same brush techniques.

Step 6
Move the leather between each coat, flexing the painted area. This will keep the paint from cracking down the line.

Step 7
Use an acrylic finisher to seal the paint and help preserve it. You can choose a gloss or matte finish for your project. Simply apply the finisher in one smooth coat. Adding extra coats will cause the leather to look like it is covered in wax.

Tips & Warnings
Consider using leather dye for larger areas instead of paint. This will add a more natural look to your projects.
Airbrush artists should dilute the paint with a small amount of acrylic finisher to keep the flow smooth.
Do not apply too much paint as it will build up, and then crackle and peel when it is dry.

i had seen all ur theads and blogs. I liked it.
U always come with Intersting topics.
asusual, nice thread and very informative.
Thanks for Sharing Kushi.....

Saroj,

You have started a very informative and interesting post. The place where I live at present, has many trees and I can easily collect leaves from them as these trees are near my bedroom window. The leaves are very big -it is a kind of peepal tree. But the leaf that you have highlighted in your post is just a few steps away from my residence.

When I was small, I used to do rock painting a lot. I lived in a small town and there were rocks and small stones near the river bank-I used to collect those. Your post reminded me of my childhood. Although I live in a big city now, I am sure I can collect some stones from somewhere to do these paintings.

Thanks a lot for the post.

Regards,
"HAPPY"

TILE PAINTING

Tools for the trade
12" x 12" floor tile, ready-to-use
Clear matte polyurethane spray sealant
Clear satin polyurethane spray sealant
Acrylic paints in colors of your choice
Brushes for acrylic paints
Tracing paper
Graphite paper
Pencil


Step 1
Clean and prep the tile for painting.
Remove any dirt from the painting surface with a damp cloth and/or rubbing alcohol, making sure that no cleaning residue, or dust particles from your cloth, are left behind. When the tile is dry, spray the painting surface with 1-2 coats (per instructions on the spray can) of the clear MATTE spray. This gives the tile's slick surface a "tooth" which enables your acrylic paints better adhesion. When the matte coats are dry, you are ready for step 2.

Step 2
Transfer your pattern onto the tile.
Use a tracing of the drawing or picture of your choice and graphite paper to transfer the picture to your painting surface. Make sure you have the graphite side of the paper against the painting surface when trasferring your design, or you will end up the the design on the backside of your tracing paper, instead of on the tile.
Graphite paper is the transfer medium of choice because it doesn't bleed into the paint, and if necessary, can be wiped off without leaving a waxy residue, like some other transfer papers. Once your tracing is safisfactorily transferred to the tile, you are ready for step 3.


Step 3
Paint your tile.
Using the acrylic brush-stroke technique of your choice, paint the tile. Note that for best results, painting with acrylic paints on a non-porus surface, should be done in stages: Keep rotating from a wet area, where you have just applied paint, to a dry, unpainted area. Do not keep working one area until you are "finished" with the details.
Overworking can cause previous layers to lift up from the matte surface. If this should happen, STOP! Then, using a hair dryer on low, and held 8" or more from the tile, warm and dry the problem area. Once dried, you should be able to patch the boo-boo with gentle and quick corrective painting. (Once sprayed with the final sealing coat of polymer spray, as in step 4, the problem area will become invisible.)
When you are satisfied the painting is complete, set it aside and let the tile "cure" for at least two days. Curing allows the acrylic paint to completely dry from the outside, to the inside matte surface of the tile. When cured, you are then ready for step 4

Step 4
Seal your tile.
Because acrylic paint is water based, it can be wiped off when it gets wet. After all the work you just put into painting this tile, you will need to protect it from the elements. For this you will need the clear SATIN polymer spray sealant. Follow the instructions on the spray can and apply 2-3 coats of sealant. Let the tile cure again for two more days and you are then ready to display it.


Step5

Display your tile.
For hanging, use a 12" plate hook, the "springy" kind used to display porcelain plates.
For displaying on a tabletop, use an easel-type display.
The tiles can also be inset into frames, without glass.
Use your imagination; experiment!
(The tiles shown here were set into the tops of end tables.)


Step 6
Let the whole thing dry for about 24 hours.
Paint your tile using acrylic colors. You can even paint over the background where you have not applied the glue. Let the tile dry completely.

Some pre-designed works...
Contd.....

dear yashi ,

OMG ! i just exactly wanted the same .... i mean leaf painting ,

its very interesting that too it can be done with lotus leaf also ???? news for me.... lady & scenary are awesome in that .

wow , egg shell is very shining on surface .......oooooo looks very attractive....

must give a try among anyone of these two! lemme see!

thanks for making others idle time in to ideal time!

ungal sevai IL kku thevai!