Let’s Paint a Cup of Cuties!

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a fun and creative painting project? This tutorial features a stunning mug design using the small Warm Holiday Wishes Stencil by The Stencil Smith on an 8x10 canvas. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, winter, or even Christmas, this versatile stencil comes with adorable details like snowflakes, hearts, and a candy cane. 

Use my affiliate code, ARTSYMOON to get a discount on your stencil purchase!

Before I share all of the details for this project, just a few reminders - never wet your stencil brush before stenciling, and offload your paint so that you don’t get “bleed” under the stencil.

Ready to create your masterpiece? Let’s get started!

Step 1: Painting the Background

Start by painting the canvas background using DecoArt Primary Red and a flat-tip brush. For a moody effect, add a touch of black paint and blend it into the red. This creates depth and makes the design pop.

Next, mix red and black paint with a little water and paint along the edges of the canvas. Tip the canvas to let the paint drip down naturally. Use a heat gun to dry the drips and create a dramatic effect.

Step 2: Stenciling the Mug

Position the mug stencil about 2.5 inches from the bottom and center it on your canvas. Secure it with painter’s tape.

1. Painting the Mug: Use pink paint on your stencil brush to dab paint onto the mug. Add white paint in the center of the mug to soften the pink and create a dimensional look.
2. Adding Shadows: Using brown paint, lightly shadow around the edges of the mug for depth.
3. The Heart: Paint the heart at the top of the mug using pink paint.

Pro Tip: If paint bleeds under the stencil, quickly wipe it away with a baby wipe.

Step 3: Snowflakes and Marshmallows

Switch to the second stencil included in the Warm Holiday Wishes Stencil.

1. Snowflakes: Dab white paint onto the stencil to add snowflakes around the mug.
2. Marshmallows: Align the marshmallows with the cup, tape the stencil in place, and use white paint to fill them in. Leave a thin border for definition. For clean edges, hold the stencil firmly and use a swirling motion.
3. Details: Mark the eye and mouth placement for the marshmallows with a Posca paint pen. Once you have their placement, detail them with black paint.

Step 4: Painting the Cocoa and Table

• Cocoa: Using burnt umber, lightly paint the cocoa with a stencil brush in circular motions. Add a second layer to deepen the color.
• Table Surface: Mix dark brown, black, and raw sienna to create a wood grain texture. Brush the paint horizontally across the bottom of the canvas, adding streaks of black for dimension.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

1. Details on the Mug: Use white paint to add highlights and give the mug a shiny appearance. For extra charm, use a thin paintbrush to add tiny hearts to the background. This creates a whimsical Valentine’s Day feel!
2. Rosy Marshmallows: Mix white paint with Raw Sienna for a toasty marshmallow look. Add orange for noses and pink for rosy cheeks.
3. Snowflake Accents: Use the back of a paintbrush dipped in red paint to add dots to the snowflakes.
4. Splatter Effect: Dip an old toothbrush into white paint and flick it over the canvas for a snowy effect.

Join the Fun Inside the Artsy Moon Paint Club!

Want more tutorials like this? Watch the replay of this project on my YouTube channel! For even more creative inspiration, check out The Artsy Moon Paint Club. With access to over 120 step-by-step tutorials, complete with a supply list,  tracers and written photo instructions, you’ll never run out of ideas. Plus, new tutorials are added every month!

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