This week we started to render white spheres in charcoal. The timing couldn’t have been better because Christmas ornaments just went on sale at Bartells. Christmas ornaments make excellent drawing spheres because:

• They are inexpensive and widely available. I got six for about $3.
• They come in a wide variety of sizes.
• They are very round and smooth. I recommend getting the frosted ones instead of the reflective ones because they hold paint better.
• They come with a hanging hook that is useful when applying spray paint.

Here are some painting tips:

1. Use Killz Stain Blocking Primer in the spray can. This primer has a matte finish and is opaque enough to cover up any ornament color. If you have a transparent ornament, you will need at least two coats to prevent light from passing through and diluting the core shadows.
2. Hang the ornament from a string.
3. Wind the ornament up on the string and let it spin.
4. Spray from a distance while the ornament spins. If you are careful, you can get a completely smooth coat.
5. Leave ornament hanging by its string until it is dry.