Mixed Media Collage Butterfly with Perfect Paints
- walterz74
- 16 hours ago
- 4 min read
Hi, friends! It's Walter on the blog with you today with a really fun project to make the perfect piece of Spring/Summer decor. Butterflies and Spring go hand in hand as symbols of birth and renewal. I think that's why butterflies speak to me so much as I'm someone who has learned the importance of starting over and not being afraid of change. It's not easy, and self-doubt may kick in, but I know that change and renewal are a positive step. This project is a symbol of that, and I hope that you're inspired to create one!
The base of the butterfly is a thin wood shape that I purchased from Amazon. You may find similar items in craft stores or likely even the Dollar Store. I went with more of a vintage theme for my design, but you may choose to go in a modern or other direction. My color palette was heavily influenced by my vintage theme and Perfect Paints has every color of shimmering matte acrylic for whatever design you imagine.
I used the following Perfect Paints products in my design:
Wooden butterfly shape
TCW 6x6 Monarch Journal Stencil
49 and Market 12x12 Paper (but you may use whatever brand you'd like)
Mod Podge or another glue medium
Craft glue
Super glue
Distress Antique Lace Spray
Gold metallic marker
Paper flowers from Prima Marketing
Twine
Jewelry wire
Lace
Pearl gems
Directions:
I began by applying a heavy coat of mod podge to the butterfly and sticking it down to the backside of the 12x12 paper that I want shown on the front of the butterfly. I did this because the paper that I chose had a collage design to it. If you're using several pieces of paper and creating your own collage, you'll want to have your pieces cut and adhere them down onto the butterfly. I then put a brick on top of the butterfly to help press the paper down as the glue dried. I left the brick on it for 30 minutes.
Once dry, I used scissors to trim the shape. Be sure to save any large pieces of scraps for future projects! You'll be left with the perfect cropped butterfly with collaged paper on it.
It was now time to paint! I chose to use Spring Green, Afterglow, and Espresso Shimmering Matte Acrylics to add color to the design and mixed each with Perfect Glaze Medium to make the paint more translucent. This way, I added color without taking away too much for the images and text on the paper. I started with the Spring Green on the outer part of the wings, then changed to Afterglow, and finally used Espresso in the center on the body of the butterfly. Once dry, I added a little more Perfect Glaze Medium to the Espresso and painted a light coat over the entire butterfly to add a more vintage look to it.
I wanted some texture and additional color on the project. I added X-Small Glass Beads to the center body of the butterfly with a palette knife to add some sparkle.
I then picked a stencil from TCW that I liked and applied Gilded Azure Polishing Plaster through it with a palette knife. I used part of the stencil on the left wing and moved it around to add the pattern throughout it. I then used the other part of the stencil on the right wing. The Polishing Plaster easily glides over the stencil without any issues.
The Polishing Plaster dries much quicker than the glass beads. I decided to create the antennae as the drying process was underway. I cut a piece of jewelry wire and shaped it into the shape of the letter V. I then used a crafting tool to add a slight twist to each side. Once done, I used a gold metallic marker to color the wire gold. I set them aside when done.
The Polishing Plaster was now dry enough to allow me to do additional work on my design. I used craft glue to glue some twine around the outside border of the butterfly. This step is optional, but I like the look of the twine. It gives a more rustic, vintage touch to the design.
By this time, I could tell that the glass beads had hardened even though they were completely dry and transparent yet. I could tell this by touching them and not leaving any impression on them. This meant that I could not flip the butterfly over to adhere the antennae and lace hanger. I secured the antenna in place with some a mix of craft glue, super glue, and a small strip of paper. I chose to do this since the wood is thin and a staple would go through to the other side.
I also used super glue to secure the lace hanger in place. I cut the strip of lace to the desired size that allows for hanging, placed it onto the back of the butterfly, and added super glue.
I waited for the glass beads to be completely dry before doing the last steps. I glued down three paper flowers and two pearl gems to the butterfly. I then spritzed the butterfly with Distress Antique Linen Spray to add some additional grunge and ageing. This step is completely optional, but I like that the spray adds distress to the flowers and lace in addition to the butterfly.
And just like that . . . our beautiful collage butterfly is complete! It evokes vibes Paris in the late 1800's/early 1900's to me. I love the way that the colors work together, the texture from the Polishing Plaster and Glass Beads, and seeing the type and images of the paper. It truly makes me smile!
I hope that you enjoy this project as much as I do! I'd like to know what you think of it - please leave a comment letting me know if you do. I'll see you again here soon. Until then . . . be well!
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