Nest eggs

1. Protea Print

Use Resene Bullion as the base colour and Resene Aqua for the protea pattern. To make the protea pattern, use a fine brush and start at the base of the egg (see pic A). Paint even-sized curves that start and end up at the centrally placed skewer. Start the next row by making another arch that joins two of the base shapes (see pic B). Continue this arch pattern until you reach the top of the egg. (On another egg you could try reversing out the colours using the same pattern.)

Protea print - pic A

Protea print - pic B

2. A way with words

There are so many words and sayings you can use for this incredibly simple but effective design. Paint your egg in a light colour, such as Resene Aqua or Resene Romantic. Leave to dry. Then use a fine paintbrush to paint on your message with Resene Black, or apply black rub-on lettering.

3. Triangles

To make a geometric pattern like this one, paint your egg with two coats of its base colour and leave to dry. Using a fine paintbrush and contrast colour, cover the egg with adjoining triangles – you can start anywhere and the triangles don’t have to be the same size. We made this with Resene Black on a Resene Bullion base and also with Resene Aqua on Resene White.

4. Vintage vibe

For an antique-style finish, use Resene Aqua or Romantic as your base colour. Once dried, dip a dry sponge into Resene Bullion and stamp it randomly over the egg to create a stippled effect. If there is too much paint, continue to dab with clean areas of the sponge. (Screwed up paper towels also work well.)

When all eggs are completed and dry, coat each one with Resene Art Action Clear Glaze gloss, so they can be wiped clean and will last for many seasons to come.