How to paint Valentine’s Day wrapping paper

• Brown packaging paper (you could use any plain paper)
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Resene testpots in your choice of paint colours, Fleur used Resene Bedazzle and Resene Glitterbug metallic paints

Instructions

Step 1:  If you want a regular pattern, start by using a pencil and ruler to measure and mark out where your fingerprint hearts will go. Fleur made my marks 7cm apart, with each line off-set from the other. (Photo 1).

Step 2:  Give your Resene FX Metallic paint testpots a really good shake before you start. Fleur used Resene Bedazzle. Take the lid off, and dip the soft pad of your finger into the paint that is on the inside of the lid. This is especially helpful if you are doing this project with a child, as it will prevent them from plunging their finger too deeply into the paint. Fleur found it most comfortable to use my index finger. Dab your painted finger on top of the pencil marks that you made on the paper. Make sure you make the fingerprint at a slight angle. Slightly roll your finger forward so as to give a longer fingerprint. (Photo 2).

Step 3:  Repeat this process, but this time put the second fingerprint at an opposite angle from the first print so as to make a heart shape. You might find that you have enough paint left on your finger from the first print to be able to do the second print without having to re-dip it into the paint pot lid. (Photo 3).

Step 4:  Complete every second row with Resene Bedazzle. Start at the top of the paper and work your way down so you don’t smudge the fresh paint. (Photo 4).

Step 5:  Once the Resene Bedazzle hearts are dry, repeat the process but this time use Resene Glitterbug for the remaining rows. (Photo 5).

Top tip:  For the best metallic effect, use the recommended Resene basecoat colour first, before applying the Resene FX Metallic topcoats.

Project and images by Fleur Thorpe. December 2021.