The Gift of Gin

This is Gin.  (pronounced "geen") Gin Ichimaru from the Japanese Anime series, Bleach.  My youngest son loves this show.  Obsessed would be putting it lightly.  So obsessed he's taken to watching the Japanese episodes on YouTube with subtitles. 
I knew Gin would be the perfect gift for him, as he has just recently moved into his first place and doesn't have alot of wall decor.  Gin, I knew, was going to give me some trouble.  I have done alot of painting in my life.  I started as a young girl, painting for the love of it, mostly, and then worked at my dream job of "painting on demand" for many years.  But I have never tried this form in all that time.  Anime.  I was a little unsure of myself.  

I went online first.  Found some images I liked and thought were do-able for a beginner like me.  I went into my surface stash and found two 8" x 8", gallery wrapped canvases that I thought would be easy for hanging and got started.  Of course, I had to grab my Folk Art, too.  With their large selection, matching colors is hassle free.

After transferring my pattern, it was easy as coloring in the design. 

And outlining. 

The second canvas wasn't as simple.  This one was going to have a complicated background.  So, I grabbed some Folk Art Blending Gel and a trio of greens and blues and a bit of Wicker White.  I stroked the Blending Gel thinly around the main body of Gin and all over the background area.  Then, I just patted the color in where I wanted it to go, a little thicker with the application this time.  

I used a fan brush to give it a variegated look.  I wiped my brush of paint with each stroke so I didn't muddy the colors and it worked!  I was a little surprised myself. 

Then it was back to coloring in the pattern.  Easy-Peasy.  I sealed both canvases with Mod Podge Matte Finish.  Best sealer in the world, I do believe.  It's durable, easy to apply, and it will last. 

I don't know why I was so worried about trying something new.  I usually am.  And, when all is said and done, I'm usually pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to do.  This was also a gift from the heart, and those kinds of projects seem to take shape all their own and come out just the way you imagined them.  I miss seeing my son every day.  I miss laughing with him at the dinner table and driving with him in the car, listening to rap music that no mother should have to listen to but I enjoy!  I miss watching Bleach with him, even though I don't know every character by name or what their particular "special power" is, he was always eager to fill me in.  This is my way of giving him those little pieces of me that we don't share anymore on a daily basis.  Because I know he misses me, too.