Using a Feather Duster to Paint

While feather dusters are generally used to make your house spick and span, this common household item can also make for a great paintbrush. If you're tired of plain old painted walls, why not add some cool texture to really wow your friends. Just follow the directions below. [How-to Source: eHow]


Materials:
Feather Duster
3 different colors of paint (light, mid, dark)
Roller and Paint Tray
Tarp

Directions
1. Prep your room as you would for any painting. Paint your entire wall surface with the middle tone color. This will become your base color and it should be the tone you prefer. The other two paint colors will add depth and highlights.

2. Keep in mind that feather dusters can throw paint during your application, so cover any surface that may get splattered. Mix and pour one of your paints into a paint tray or onto a plastic plate. Keep your paper bags handy.

3. Wet the tips of the feather duster with paint, but make sure it is not dripping. As you work your feather duster, it will become too wet and the marks it will make will not be as nice. Pounce off excess paint on your paper bags each time you put paint on your feather duster.

4. When painting, try for consistent inconsistency. Work one color around the room using several feather dusters as needed. Do not try to cover the base paint; you are simply adding to the color or enhancing it. You want the base color to come through.

5. When you have completed the first feather dusted color, clean up and do the second feather dusted color. You can work the walls wet or dry. You will have different effects if you allow paint to dry between coats. Again, now you are trying to allow two colors to show through, so this round of painting may require a lighter touch. You will quickly discover a certain pattern or look that will emerge that you favor. Reserve two clean feather dusters for later use.

6. After your complete second round of feather duster painting, pour two more plates--one in your base color and one in your first color. Go over your walls slowly to adjust any areas that are too heavy or too light in any of the three shades. Again, if you have worked the room wet, then do this wet; if you have allowed each coat to dry, do this final pass after the second feather duster painted coat has dried. Your finished look should appear monotone or tonal, but not three obvious colors.

This will give your room depth and a vibrant appearance. And the best part is that you made the room look great with a little ingenuity and creativity. Try it sometime!

Ian Davie, Feather Painter Extraordinaire

We've all marveled about the beauty of feathers and have used them as part of our fashion, but very few people have decided to take it upon themselves to make feathers even more beautiful. Ian Davies is one such person. While the idea of painting on feathers is not new, the level of detail and intricacy in Ian Davie's feather paintings are what make them amazing. Inspired by the Maori feather drawings, Ian Davie took his outdoor and taxidermy experience and combined it into his art. Surprisingly, Davie had never picked up a paintbrush before he was 40, guess that means he must be one talented individual! Hopefully, we can get an interview with him in the next couple weeks! You can see some of his pictures after the break. You can view his site at featherart.net

[Story Via Mail Online]


All images copyright Ian Davie

Feather Artist Club Razor

Sure, it's not actually made of feathers (who can shave with a real feather anyway), but for all you guys out there looking for a close shave, this little baby definitely does the trick. The Feather Artist Club Razor is great for barbershops, salons or even at home. While it doesn't come with the blades, you can purchase them in a 20 pack. And hey, ladies dig guys that shave with a straight-edge, makes you seem more like Crocodile Dundee. You can then show your male friends your razor and tell them, "That's not a razor, this is a razor..."

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Feathers Issue

Hey there, feathers issue is up! Any comments, questions? Hope you enjoy! Also check out my gallery to see the full cover image.