Good morning, friends! It’s been a while since I’ve done a good knock-off, so today I decided to bring you one from one of my fave stores: Anthropologie. I absolutely LOVE Anthro, but very rarely do I actually buy anything unless I have a giftcard or it’s on sale – it’s just too expensive! The kitchen supplies are usually pretty reasonably well-priced but well, everything else is not. I was perusing their website the other day and found this fun little home accessory: the Fable Forest Clock, or as I like to call it, the fox clock:
What a cute little fella! But his $40 (+tax) price tag is decidedly not cute. I thought he was such a quirky piece of home decor that I absolutely had to try to make him into an Anthropologie knock off. Let’s get started, yeah?
Anthropologie Knock Off Fox Clock Materials
– Foam Core board (I actually found foam core to be great for painting – the paint dries quickly so you can get projects done fast! )
– Acrylic paint in various shades of oranges, browns, and yellows
– Pencil for sketching outline
– Paintbrushes of various sizes and textures
The first thing I did was look at the original Anthropologie version and then took a pencil and lightly sketched the general shape of the fox and added some details. Right now, it kind of looks like a cat, but I promise, it’ll get better! If you aren’t confident in your freehanding skills, feel free to use the grid method to transfer the image over to your foam core.
For paint, it’s pretty subjective. I started with a base of orange paint, leaving white areas white for now. After I had the base layer down, I just looked at the picture and started adding brown and yellow patches where the original fox had them. I used my finger for blending at times. For sharper lines for the finer hair areas, use a brush with very little paint on it and lightly stroke or ‘dry brush’ over the area.
I did the white last to keep it from getting muddled with any of the paint colors and left the fine details like the eyes, nose and whiskers for very last. I used a very very fine tipped brush and did slow and careful strokes. It may look intimidating to do this kind of project, and admittedly, I was an art major in college, but if you are slow and careful, and especially if you use the grid method, I believe that you can do it, too! 🙂
And here’s the finished painting! It dried within minutes on the foam core, which is really nice. My fox is a bit chubbier and derpier than the original, but that’s what you get for freehanding. I still think he’s pretty cute!
Next to get a free floating shape I took a combo of my exacto craft knife and a pair of scissors and cut around the fox, leaving a little bit of white space around all the edges.
He’s looking classy all cut out and sitting regal! I have decided to name him Nigel 🙂
I followed the directions on the back of my clock kit by making a hole big enough for the mechanism to fit and then adding the hands in the correct order and snapping/screwing everything in place! Lookin’ good, Nigel!
And here is Nigel, sitting pretty in his new home in all his glory!
I really love how he turned out! It’s been a LOOOONGGGG time since I’ve painted anything, so it felt good to have a brush in hand again 🙂 I think he looks quite regal in his own corner near our dresser. He fits in with the woodland creature decor theme I seem to have running throughout the house here and there 🙂 I think He would also be fun in a kid’s room or in a cabin type setting!
What do you think of my Anthropologie knock off? Would you dare to attempt it?
I don’t think I would be able to tell the difference between Nigel and Anthro’s! He turned out so great, you’re a very talented artist, Erica! Mine would look like a big blob of colors if I tried that haha.
Aw, thanks Bre! Glad I can put my art degree to use in some way, at least! 😉 Nigel is a little chubby, but I love him anyway 🙂
wow- you did an awesome job on this! love it!!
Thanks, Stephanie! A lotta love went into it! 🙂
so trendy, I love it! Come share at my link party http://www.carissamiss.com/2014/10/outside-box-no-8.html
Thanks Carissa! Coming over to share now! 🙂
Oh Nigel would be oh so adorable in a forest themed nursery! Great knock off!
I totally agree, Kristina! When I have a baby I might just have to do a forest/woodland theme so I can make more furry friends for Nigel 🙂
Whoa, I cannot believe you painted this! You are like a legitimate artist! 🙂 Super cute, Erica! I am sure Nigel is right at home with all of your other lovely woodland creature home accents! 🙂
Aw, thanks Bre! I like being able to use my painting skills whenever I get the chance! 🙂 And yes, haha, he is very much at home with Basil and Herbert and all the rest! 😉
Holy Moly! This is amazing, great job!
Thanks, Amy! I had a ton of fun painting him 🙂
Oh my goodness!!! This is THE cutest clock EVER! I cannot believe you painted him! AMAZING Erica!!!
Thank you! Gotta use my degree for something, right? 😉 I’m really happy with how he turned out, even if he is a little chubby haha
Look at you, Nigel, sitting there all cute. You did such an amazing job, Erica. He’s just so gorgeous!
Aw, thank you so much! I really am quite in love with him 🙂 Looks like I have an affinity for animal decor and didn’t really realize it until this moment!
Ohhh I love this!!!!!!
Thanks so much, Carmody! 🙂
Uhh, GET OUT!! You painted that?! I’m totally impressed. I love it!! You’re right, so quirky, but so stinking adorable. Nice work!!
Haha,thanks, yep I painted it! It was really cathartic and relaxing to do 🙂 I’m hoping to put him in a nursery when someday a baby comes along 🙂
This is a seriously awesome knock-off!! You did such a great job painting him, I swear it is just as good (better because of the price!) as the original. Great job 🙂
Aw, thanks, Kat! I did my best! I actually had a lot of fun doing this project – I hadn’t painted in AGES!
What a great knock off! Love it! You are so creative, Erica!
Thanks, friend! I think he turned out quite nicely – I’m a bit surprised! 🙂
I LOVE NIGEL!!! You are such an artist, this turned out beautiful!!
D’aw, thanks Leigh Anne! I’m totally in love with him 🙂 It was fun to do some painting, too!
Wow Erica! You cannot tell the difference! Way to go!!! I love a good knock off and this one is amazing! Hope your week is going great!
Aw, thanks so much, Kendra! I had a ton of fun making it 🙂 Have a great week yourself!