Creating a Whimsical Doorbell
Inspiration
The doorbell cover was pretty dirty so I took it down and cleaned it. While doing so I payed attention to the details of the frame and decided it reminded me of royalty. That's when it occurred to me that I should paint panels of a whimsical king and queen to replace the ugly-outdated inserts. I determined that I could just paint the backs of these inserts since they were flat.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBEbdKZ_UIWxLKEDpceIr1BfC6uQTV8ULj-zfVX4w6BZ_uRMRK1QPwXA8YD9Gc7f4R373kpZTljy-sGfFWgeMyhIr68l1gMmRiOaTMmnAUFZSnWT12lZPaPQrCr6CNeBMKaLKAgQ5ifMV/s320/originaldoorbell.jpg) |
Original doorbell after cleaning |
Although I had a picture forming in my mind, I decided to do a little internet research to study playing cards for inspiration. I found these playing
cards by Karl Korab.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQA5NgxRGITx18lWLVG2EnQqIM2OQdrLTzxibOfMmaHTZys4tFU1pnXcHX3JVpvqqB0MncVkFr1iGqg18K96mSE_ixKweGzQHHxSNOtvLHI5nsNSFCGGQtqjmw66Jg8jYLM-xfPw4_R9GH/s320/cardsdoorbell.jpg) |
Inspirational Playing cards by artist Karl Korab |
Supplies
After removing the panels from the frame, I primed them using BIN primer. The kind with shellac - it's messy and needs to be cleaned using ammonia but it works well on glossy surfaces without sanding.
I sketched the design on to the dried panels with a pencil and painted with Liquitex Acrylic Paints and added metallic touches with Powdered Pigments by Jacquard. Just prior to painting a section, I used the gum eraser to remove all but the faintest pencil lines so they would not bleed up through the paint.
Sorry, I did not take pictures of the work in process only because I was so absorbed in it that I forgot. Next time I will do better!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwUR3b-vaDVMxsMRiBdPmegpcWiHPQemD4Eq03daeKhCfDS-CnD2-5ra2_2Y9BLnLGerbYx-5kaFc8nKrB-OFCs4uxPHmehGzxOf3NwmCosYoVz6ZJKo65qDAwixDDF5kZTLLOye5OE5p/s640/suppliesdoorbell.jpg) |
Supplies used to paint panels |
Finished Panels
It took a day and a half to paint these. Notice I did not finish the area that would be hidden beneath the frame.
The Finished Piece
Every time I walk by and notice this I smile. Yes, it is a bit kitschy but I am happy. And, it looks a lot better than it did to start!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvL_Ugff2YLbMln5BGMsSPM7IZvj8HemH_QuS-rMxnzZY-Rq92YeaS38fEQZD1WMGPVXUrt48lqjfB3ahRMn3Bj4_hnq1mGrY5sn_6TlyEwUV_AMwVm56fe30mw9btUrIg-ANW0XgkdUo6/s640/kingdoorbell.jpg) |
King of Hearts |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXm61rH11aqWt9sgDNkqxnFwVqDFuBxjf9YDvSZjDaSL91PGundGIo5iUnWch0WmMY_n_yShs1u0vZ1RlJrmMTGhULYdK4hdkFea6DVY1jJrXZLpz-IPTLmzo9WaKPLwVNP2PUiMnyZLet/s640/queendoorbell.jpg) |
Queen of Hearts |
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