Important: Cut wood following pattern.

Sealing: I like to seal my wood with Delta Ceramcoat Varnish and then sand.

Basecoating: I have found that several light coats of paint, sanding between each coat, is better than one thick coat.  This may be a little extra work, but for me a smooth surface is very important for making the perfect float.

Stipple Highlight : Almost all of the highlight areas are done with the stippling technique, using the Debbie Mitchell stippling brushes or fabric brushes.  Making sure the brush is dry, load with paint and pounce on napkin to remove most of the paint.  Then pounce very lightly, straight up and down or in circular motion on highlight area until achieving the desired effect.  Remember to keep a light touch.

Water: Change your water often.  This helps keep your colors true.  Always start with fresh water.  Water that has been sitting can collect lint and  you'll be fighting specks in your painting.

References: Check often with your color photo and patterns.  This particularly helps when their is detail work to be done.

Details: Use a Micron Pen to do all line work.  The best look is achieved by doing long and short broken lines and also squiggly lines.  Try to stay out of the face area, working only on the edges of the piece.  Eyes are done by making squiggly lines going up and down and from longest length to the shortest.

The Back of the Wood:  The back side of your project is often times just as important as the front.  So I try to keep the back clean while I'm working on the front.  When finished with the front, I'll give the back a wash of buttermilk.  When dry, uisng your Micron Pen, outline piece with some long squiggly lines, dots and slashes.  Be sure to sign your work.