WATERCOLOR LAMPSHADE WITH FABRIC MARKERS

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I created this project as part of Lamps.com’s annual Lampshade Contest.  Twelve bloggers were each sent a lampshade and were asked to decorate it however they liked.  It sounded like a fun challenge to me, so I got on board.

The shade I was sent was a plain white drum shade.  It was about as blank a canvas as you can get. 

I am still on a painterly pattern kick, so I am drawn to watercolors, ikat, and other imperfect patterns.  I have seen some gorgeous, but very expensive, watercolor-style lampshades and wondered if I could make one myself.  At first I debated using fabric dye on the shade, but then a blogger friend reminded me that Tulip fabric markers (affiliate link) can be used to create a watercolor look.

I used the same process to make a watercolor pillow for my daughter’s Fairy Garden Bedroom and on the silk screened shirts I made for her Mickey birthday party.

To create the watercolor effect, I drew on the shade with the fabric marker and then went over the lines with a wet, angled paintbrush.  The spread of the ink is determined by the amount of water used and the placement of the water.  Even so, I didn’t have control over how the ink spread, and that is part of the fun of the project.  It kind of takes on a life of its own.

I spent the better part of a morning drawing and wetting, blending and coloring.  I used blues and greens with the occasional accent of yellow to keep the colors similar.  This technique works with all of the fabric markers, so you could customize your lamp to fit the color scheme of your room.

I kept adding more areas of color and blending them together, all the way around the shade.  Once I was finished I let the shade air dry.  The markers are permanent once they dry; no heat setting required.

I kept my drawing patterns somewhat geometric, knowing that the water would soften up the harshness of the lines.

The watercolor pattern looks pretty with the lamp on or off.  And the pattern doesn’t diminish the brightness of the lamp when the light shines through it, so you can still curl up with a good book beside the lamp.  You have to love the combination of form and function!

The Lamps.com contest is open for voting from now until May 8th.  If I am chosen as the winner, I receive a prize AND one of you readers will win a $100 gift card too.  If you have a few minutes, I would LOVE for you to visit Lamps.com and vote for my Watercolor Lampshade.  

One more time, here is the before and after of the lampshade!  What do you think?  Are you brave enough to turn a blank canvas lampshade into an art piece?

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Thanks,  Jessica