Hand Painted Uncle Sam Concrete Paver

Uncle Sam Pavers are a festive way to decorate your garden this 4th of July. A paver or two, some paint and a couple of paint brushes is all that you need for this cheery, celebratory DIY Project.

I’ve always enjoyed painting bricks. They’re porous, flat, and just the right size. They’re also heavy, which makes them great as lawn ornaments and doorstops. My Hand Painted Uncle Sam Concrete Paver is the perfect 4th of July ambassador for greeting friends and family this summer!

I’ve had three concrete pavers in a small flower bed for 13 years. My three oldest children decorated them with white concrete and found objects. If you’ve read my blog at all, you already know that I like reversible items. Why not make a concrete paver suitable for year-round display on one side, and for the 4th of July on the other side?

Materials:

• 6″ x 8-1/2″ Basalite Classic Medocino Concrete Paver
• Acrylic Paint (Various Colors)
  • Creamy Peach
  • White
  • Real Blue
  • Pure Pink
  • Dark Gray
  • Crimson
  • Black
  • Tropical Blue
• 1″ Foam Brush
• Paint Brushes (Various Sizes)
  • Angle Brush
  • Liner Brush
• Hair Dryer
• Clear Acrylic Sealer

Instructions:

First, scrub the paver in the sink, to remove all the dirt and rocks. After cleaning my paver, I placed the side my children decorated face down, leaving the blank side ready for embellishment. Next, you will paint the base colors. I used Creamy Peach and White, and a 1” sponge brush for the first coat, and the angle brush for all subsequent coats. Use a hair dryer to speed things along. You will need a few coats of paint to achieve a solid base.

Next, paint Uncle Sam’s collar and hat band with White and Real Blue. I viewed several photos of original Uncle Sam “I Want You” posters as I painted. You can see the original poster here.

Paint the whites of his eyes, the stars on his hat, and the pink and gray details of his hat and brim with the liner brush, Pure Pink, and Dark Gray paints. You can see where I painted over Uncle Sam’s first ear, then painted the second one higher on his face. If you make a mistake with paint, its easy to cover the part you don’t like, and begin again.

Paint the irises of his eyes with Real Blue, then add more details to the face with Dark Gray. You will be using the liner brush from now on.

Related: DIY Strawberry Garden Flag

For the next step, use Pure Pink, White, and Creamy Peach paint to highlight Uncle Sam’s face, then add more detail with the Dark Gray paint. Outline his lips with Dark Gray as well. Paint the bow tie with Crimson. Add shading to his eyes with Black and Dark Gray paint. Paint highlights over the eyebrows with White paint.

Color in his jacket with a mixture of  Black and Real Blue as you continue to add more Dark Gray shading to his face. Then, paint Uncle Sam’s lips with a combination of Crimson, Pure Pink, and White.

Fill in his hair with Dark Gray paint, and finish shading and highlighting his face with Black, Dark Gray, Pure Pink, and White.

Paint the background with Tropical Blue. Highlight the ears with White and Pure Pink. Outline them with Black. Paint his eyebrows and beard with lots of White, and a few streaks of Black and Dark Gray. Detail the bow tie with Black and White paint.

Now it’s time for the fun part- painting his hair. I love painting characters with wild, crazy hair.

Paint the hair with a combination of Black, White, and Dark Gray.

Outline the stars with Black, then add White highlights.

After everything is good and dry, take the paver outside and spray it with acrylic gloss sealer.

You’re done! Time to display your Hand Painted Uncle Sam Concrete Paver for the 4th of July!

Passionate about all things domestic, as a Christian wife and homeschooling mother of 5 children, I am especially interested in encouraging stay-at-home moms, one-income families, and cottage dwellers of all kinds. I love DIY projects, sewing, decorating, cooking, and collecting and selling vintage dishes. Read More…

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Blessings, Kristie 

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