Chinese umbrellas are easy to design.
Chinese umbrellas, also known as parasols, were invented 2,000 years ago.
Originally people used them to shield themselves from the sun, rain and other elements. The size of the umbrella became a declaration of status, as did the number of people that were needed to carry a larger umbrella. They are also well known for the designs and symbols that were painted on the canopy of the parasol.
Chinese umbrellas have since become popular all over the world, as a decorative touch to an outfit or as a piece of art in the home. Designing and decorating your own Chinese umbrella not only allows you to personalize a design to a specific outfit or room but is very cost effective.
Instructions
1. Purchase a plain colored paper umbrella. Parasols are mostly made from paper, but some are made from silk or cotton. Use a paper one.
2. Create the design that you want on the umbrella. Practice this design on a scrap piece of paper first before drawing it on the umbrella. If you are worried about drawing a design straight onto your umbrella, draw the design on another sheet of paper, then trace it onto the umbrella top. Be careful not to puncture the umbrella surface. Print or copy a design if you are not artistic.
3. Use acrylic paint if you want a bolder design, or watercolor paints if you want a more subtle look.
4. Paint your design. Use the fine paintbrush in small, even strokes. Don't get the paintbrush too wet, as this will either make the paper too wet and at risk of breaking or leave very obvious brush strokes.
5. Paint all the areas of the design that you want in one color first. Allow the first color to dry before painting in another color. Often the most effective designs use a limited color palette.
6. Repeat until you have painted all the colors you want on your design.
Leave the umbrella to dry.
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