When I have a date night at our favorite seafood spot, my husband doesn’t even blink when I order the scallops, and then ask for a to-go box to carry all the shells in that they came in.
Because these suckers sure make for a fun canvas.
It’s great to have a craft, that you can just zone out and make something fun with. You know, it doesn’t take up lots of time, it brings you joy and you don’t stress over what it’s going to turn out like. For me, this is painting shells. It started with Sharpies, and now, thanks to these scallops, it’s turned into painting some mini canvases. I can’t be as detailed or crazy as I can with my usual watercolor on paper. Which is a good thing. It’s like they’re my shell sketches or something.
This latest batch just took a few extra layers of paint and some Modge Podge, and yeah, I’m pretty pumped with how they turned out. I have a fun idea for the back of them, then I will start putting them in the shop. I think. They could make for a fun jewelry holder, change holder or paperclip holder or something.
Anywho, should you want to watercolor some shells of your own, here’s how. Or if you want to keep it simple, grab some acrylic paint pens, or a Sharpie and sketch away.
Watercolor Shells:
Materials: Go to the Water Grill and order the Peruvian scallops along with a to-go box to put the shells in so you can use them as canvases later on and they don’t get thrown away. Just remember to soak them in dish soap overnight when you get home.
Crucial Art Supplies: Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground. This is a primer that allows you to watercolor on different surfaces, other than paper. Like, wood, canvas, denim, shoes, hats, and in this case, Shells.
1: Prine the shell with watercolor ground and let it sit and cure for 48 hours.
2: Paint the initial coat of watercolor paint.
3: If you want any crisp details or fine lines, go in with an acrylic paint pen, or sharpie, or any marker really, and add those.
4: Go back and watercolor some more to add shading and any deeper color blocks. You might need to do this a couple of times.
5: Let paint dry then coat with Modge Podge.
6: After that dries…voila. You’ve got some cool watercolor shells.
7: For the back you can draw on it with a sharpie or paint pen, or just leave it alone, too. Totally up to you.
…Now, plan another date night and go get some more so you can keep on crafting, painting these beauties, and asking up the mental zen the whole process proves.
Shell yeaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh.
