Mississippi Magnolia Wooden Heart Craft

Wooden heart crafts were once a pop-culture favorite, and while they may seem like a distant memory to some, they are making a comeback. The magnolia flower is a perfect design to paint on a wooden heart; however, for this project, the magnolia flower should only be used as a design element within the entire picture. Magnolias are the Mississippi state flower and grow freely across the southern United States, and range in color from white too brilliant purple. Therefore. these flowers work well with the Mississippi state flag. How better to celebrate your home state than with a painted wooden heart bearing the state flag and the state flower?

Materials:

7 ½ x 6 inch wooden heart
Pencil
Eraser
Ruler
Image of a magnolia
Image of the Mississippi State flag
Paint brushes, various sizes
Styrofoam plate
Paper towels
Water container
Titanium white acrylic paint
Ultramarine blue acrylic paint
Crimson red acrylic paint
Hunter green acrylic paint
Burnt sienna acrylic paint
Terra cotta gold acrylic paint
Mars black

Create a Mississippi Magnolia Wooden Heart

Sketch the magnolia flower, and leaves. Do not add a lot of detail, but indicate the areas that will need to be shaded.

Draw the state flag so that it appears to be behind the flower. Use a ruler to make sure that the lines are sharp and even. This will give the appearance of the magnolia resting on the flag.

Starting from the top; paint the background. For example, the Mississippi flag is blue, white and red. Paint the blue area first, the white next and then the red section of the flag. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly and apply a second coat. If necessary, add a third layer.

Tip: Use a ruler to paint straight edges. Place the ruler onto your painting, and apply the paint up against the edge of the ruler. Don't forget to wipe off your ruler after you paint with it.

Mix a small amount of crimson red with titanium white until very pale pink forms. Paint the entire magnolia flower pale pink. Be aware of the direction of each flower petal. Always apply paint in the natural direction of the petal. This gives the flower more definition and a greater sense of realism.

Do not allow the paint to dry. Add a small amount of unmixed crimson red. Paint each flower with the red so that veins and shadows begin to appear. With the paint still wet, add more of the pale pink. Blend the paint well. Add titanium white for highlights and examine the flower closely. If necessary, add more red and white paint for definition.

Paint several small dots in the center of the flower. Use burnt sienna as a foundation, and add the Terra cotta gold over the dots. These represent the center section of the flower.

Paint the magnolia leaves with hunter green paint. Cover the entire surface area of the leaves. Add a small amount of mars black paint directly onto the top of the hunter green paint. Blend the paint completely, and add a small amount of titanium white. Carefully apply the white paint so that veins appear on the leaves. If needed, add a small amount of mars black down the center so that the dark veins appear on the leaves.

This basic design can be used to create any state flag and state flower design. Use your imagination and always have fun.