African Dancers

I have been enamored with African dancers for a long time. When I saw a YouTube video on how to draw one such picture, I watched that video for several weeks and months until one day I decided to give it a shot. I don't want that video to become one of the ten thousand DIY videos  I watch only to forget it later on.
So I had lot of time in my hand and I decided to try it out. I chose a Cushion Cover that was given away free in an exhibition.


Step 1: I drew the pictures in a paper to be traced out into cushion later. Print out was an option but I was more keen on trying my Free hand.

Step 2: I searched for a carbon paper and traced out the entire drawing into the cushion cover. I hit a road block after I traced the complete picture. I realized not even a single line has appeared in the cushion cover. It was probably the nature of the fabric.

Step 3: I Was going to give up. But decided against it .Now I was forced to try my freehand drawing on the cushion cover with a sketch. I was up for the challenge. For a person who quit biology to escape drawings, that was a brave call. But I stuck to it. After all there is a huge difference between watching a DIY and Actually doing it.

Step 4: I Started my drawing with a black sketch and was elated to see that my drawing was 10% of the original, which in my book was a great achievement. Nothing could stop me from then on.

Step 5: Excited by the results of my first two dancers, I added one more into the foray

Step 6: As soon as I added the third dancers, I saw that the space in the cushion become slightly disproportional. So I decided to add another dancer completing the 4 dancers as in the original

Step 7: Although the new addition was little funny I persevered. I hoped good colors will make this painting look good. This was all in black sketch and it was time to get my dancers some colors with the fabric Paint 

Step 8: I used Fevicryl fabric paint Sunflower Kit. I started off painting with the fabric colors

Step 9:Next was to add more colors. I unfortunately did not have the colors in the original paintings. So it was pretty much left to my imagination. But the amazing Fevicryl sunflower kit offers many possibilities

Step 10:  I mixed some colors to achieve some contrast colours to the caps

Step 11: I finished the painting elements of the dancers.I had some golden dust which I mixed with the binder and it was time to make some jewellery for my dancers

Step 12: I then added some finishing touches and Tada ..

Now these dancers are ready to dance in my living room. I hope this will also help try new things.

Better pictures here