Inspired by Van Gogh

by Julie McDowell - Design Artist

Take one boring old oak cupboard and in a moment of madness decide to paint it in hammered copper paint..

I don't have a picture of that, but suffice to say after doing just one door, I knew it was not the right direction so in a moment of haste (before the copper paint was dry) I slapped some DIY chalk paint over the top and lo and behold magic happened!

I had created a crackle effect without even realizing it. Of course, had I really been thinking about it, applying a water based paint over an oil based paint was going to do this. Even so, I was feeling like a magician!

Van Gogh's 'Almond Blossom' painting flooded into my mind and I knew where to go from here.

I applied a raised stencil all over the cupboard using drywall compound. Then painted on top, section by section, with the copper paint. Waited 10 minutes then carefully applied the chalk paint. Sorry this picture is awful

When it was all dry, seriously waiting for paint to dry is a nightmare for me! I highlighted the stencil with gold leaf and acrylic paint.

I worked the whole piece in the same way and painted a pop of pink inside the cupboard and drawers.

New crystal knobs and there you have it!

My Van Gogh inspired cupboard!

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3 of 7 questions

Lynn on Nov 23, 2015
Really interested in your "raised stencil" technique. Can you give more info on how to achieve this look? It is a beautiful effect that adds so much to the piece.

1
Patty on Nov 23, 2015
This is just gorgeous, you are so talented. I have no idea how long it took you to do this, but I'm sure it was long and tedious. I'm curious about the drywall compound, do you brush it on like pant and keep building it up in layers?

1
Janis Hill on Nov 23, 2015
What is the name of the stencil and where did you get it, please?

1