Wow, that turned out great! I’ll be a lot more open minded when thrifting, now! Thanks for sharing it with us at Thursday Favorite Things. Reply
Step-by-Step Holland Lop Bunny Rabbit
This may be our cutest painting idea yet! Learn how to paint a Holland Lop bunny rabbit using watercolors by following Isabella Kung. You can watch the video version of this step-by-step animal portrait at our Beeblys WatercolorPainting.com too.
- Reference photo of your favorite Holland Lop bunny rabbit (or use the one provided in this tutorial)
- A book of Arches cold press watercolor paper (140lb, size 9″ x 12″)
- Masking tape (width 1″)
- Wooden board (at least 9″ x 12″)
- HB pencil
- Painting palette for watercolor paints
- Two cups of water
- A towel or rag to dry off the brushes
- Tissue
- Fineline Artist: masking fluid pen
- Soft eraser
Winsor & Newton’s Professional Watercolor Paints
- Cerulean Blue
- Winsor Violet (Dioxazine Purple)
- Raw Sienna
- Burnt Umber
- Burnt Sienna
- Ivory Black
- French Ultramarine Blue
- Indigo
- Brown Madder
- Rose Doré
Brushes
- Mop brush (½” round)
- Rosemary and Co.: Pure squirrel hair mop brush (1″ cat’s tongue/oval wash)
- Rosemary and Co.: Pure squirrel hair mop brush (½” cat’s tongue/oval wash)
- Escoda: Angular brush (size 10)
- Escoda: Reserva Kolinsky Tajmyr 1212 brush (size 6, round)
- Raphael: Synthetic flat brush (½”, size 12)
- Stanislaus Imports Inc.: Dagger brush (½”)
Step 1: Outlining And Using Masking Fluid
With the masking tape, tape all four sides of your paper to the wooden board, leaving about a ½” border of tape that overlaps your paper. Then, u sing your picture as a reference, make a preliminary sketch of your subject: in this case, a floppy-eared bunny sitting on its hind legs. Focus on the overall shapes you see in your reference image, and make sure to draw lightly. When you’re done, dot the highlight in the eyes with the masking fluid pen to preserve the white of the paper, and allow the masking fluid to dry. Below is a close-up of Isabella’s sketch: 
While the masking fluid dries, prep your palette with the colors you will need for the painting. With the mop brush, wet then fray the tip, and dab some watered-down Cerulean Blue, Dioxazine Purple, and Ivory Black to the shadowed areas in the fur on the bunny’s face, neck, legs, tummy, and ears. With the same brush, add some very light Raw and Burnt Sienna as the foundation for darker brown patches of color in the bunny’s fur. With the ½” cat’s tongue brush, mix some Burnt Umber, Dioxazine Purple, and Ultramarine Blue together to create a warm gray, then add it to the tips and spots on the bunny’s ears.
Step 3: Fluffy Shadows
After mixing some Dioxazine Purple, Indigo, and Ultramarine Blue together, use this color to add some light shadow colors and give shape to the paws and legs. Splay the bristles of the mop brush to create fur texture. Add more Dioxazine Purple and Cerulean Blue to areas of the face and other areas of the bunny to establish the initial shadowing and texture of your painting. You can flick your brush to create tapered brushstrokes for individual hairs. Allow this first layer to dry.
With the ½” cat’s tongue brush, mix some Burnt Sienna, Brown Madder, and Raw Sienna, and then paint some patches of color on the bunny’s face, top of the head, and ears. Lighten the mixture with some water and add to the sides and paws. Pay close attention to the direction and dimension of the fur and its texture. Switch to the dagger brush (½”) and add some Ivory Black and Dioxazine Purple to the tips and edges of the ears and on the face to deepen the darker areas. To finish up the face, add some Rose Doré mixed with Burnt Sienna with the Escoda round brush (size 6) to color the nose. Allow this area to dry.
Make a Concrete Rabbit Statue — Or Any Vintage Garden Statuary
Look for a shape and size you like! That’s it. No need to worry about colors or a bunny’s “scary eyes”.
My Easy Concrete Effect Paint Method-
Step 1) Base Paint Coat-
This is the easiest! Don’t overthink it.
I used chalk paint, because Rust-oleum recently released a spray version and I wanted to give it a try before I use it on a large, elaborate bird cage that I’ll be sharing later this week.
PSA: If you are spraying, be sure to wear a respirator — lung health is so important.
I usually use a brush-on chalk paint, mineral paint, or even craft paint that I have left over from any other project.
You can use just about any color. I prefer my “concrete” to be of a warmer tone, so I typically use a cream or beige color for my base vs. white or soft grey.
BIG TIP:
For spray paint, my secret weapon is using a lazy susan.
Be sure to cover your lazy susan to protect the ball bearings in the spinning mechanism! I just used two paper towels here. It’s what I had handy!
Step 2) Antique it-
This is such a fun and forgiving process! Watch the short 3-minute video and you’ll believe!
Any black or grey craft paint, thinned with water is a great antiquing glaze for this project.
Use a craft paint brush, not a nice artist’s brush! And be sure to wear gloves!
You’ll also need some soft, dust-free rags.
Honestly, this requires minimal supplies and even less artistic talent!
Again, don’t overthink it! Don’t try to make every groove the same. Concrete statuary does not age evenly in nature. So yours shouldn’t either.
Work in small-ish sections and start light until you get the hang of it. You can keep adding and adding to get a deeper color if you wish.
This fella took me just under 20 minutes for this step.
I used this same water down black craft paint glazing technique, with a lighter touch, on these adorable tabletop birdbaths. Jump over here to see them. You don’t want to miss these!
Step 3) There Isn’t One! That’s How Easy This “Concrete” Method Is
If you’re using this indoors, you don’t even need any sealer!
Isn’t she just the sweetest! Remember those scary eyes? Not anymore! Now my concrete rabbit statue is a sweet slumbering bunny.
How Do I Use My Faux Garden Statuary Inside?
My favorite way is as part of a seasonal display or vignette?
This bunny is now the star of this large Easter basket on our stair landing. I’m working on a video of putting the whole look together.
Watch for it on IG or FB, whichever you prefer. Be sure you’re following along on FB and/or following along on IG.
Do you have a garden event coming up?
Save these to your centerpiece board
Or to your decor board
Are you addicted to thrifting?
Save this to your Thrifted Makeovers Board
Or how about your Spring Decor board?
Your Easter Board?
How about a Vignette Board?
Shoot, save it to 2 or 3 Boards!
I hope you are enjoying a lovely change in weather and all the promise it holds for the new seasons ahead.
As always, don’t hesitate with questions, feedback and certainly pics to share.
