Christmas Cottage, Tom Anderson, Part 1

Some find it helpful to print out the PDF with the photos before you start.  Others find it helpful to open it on your device.  Either way works.   It really just depends on what you prefer.

• We didn’t talk about it but Tom put masking tape around the edge of the canvas.  If you want a white border around your painting, this is the way to do it.  Make sure you put the masking tape on straight and evenly.  I think Tom masked about 1″ all the way around.  He will leave it on until the end of part 2.
• The pattern for the cottage is in the PDF file.  Scroll down to the bottom to see the printable pattern.  Remember that you will want to print it 100% and not “fit to page.”  If you use the “fit to page” setting the cottage will be too large.  Once you print it, cut it out and tape it together to match the image.  You can also sketch it onto the canvas as well.
• There are a couple of ways to transfer the pattern to the canvas.  Tom created a cardboard cutout.  Another way is to use graphite paper and trace over the lines of the pattern to get the image on the canvas.  Make sure if you use graphite paper, you have the graphite towards the canvas and not towards the pattern.  It works best to tape the pattern to the canvas so it doesn’t shift on you while you are transferring.
• Each time Tom says, stop and take a photo, we suggest you compare your painting to the next photo.  We did this to provide a way for you to check your work along the way.  It is also a good idea to stretch and walk away at these points.  Just relax and have fun with this painting. Feel free to make it your own.
• Tom did not have a chance to let things dry because of the filming schedule.  Believe me, if he could have, he would have.  You have all week to paint yours before the next stage so feel free to wait overnight.  Everything works better the next day!