Painting on wood with acrylic paints is an artistic process in which each artist strives to find his or her own twist and personality. Before moving on to painting directly on wood, it is worth first honing your brush skills and painting basic elements on paper. 🖌
After that, you need to learn how to prepare the wooden surface for work
Algorithm of painting on wood for beginners:
- Cleaning the wood with a brush and sanding the wood with sandpaper.
- Coating with a primer. Sometimes the primer can be a paint that creates the main color of the background.
- Drawing with a brush and paint.
- Fixing with acrylic varnish.
Materials for painting
The main materials that will be needed for acrylic painting on wood are:
- Sandpaper to clean the surface of the wood and to give a slight roughness. This is done so that the pattern was applied more accurately and later was durable. Two types of sandpaper will be needed: hard and soft. Wood is sanded along the fibers.
- A protective material – stain. In some paintings, it is customary to apply the pattern immediately to the wooden surface, but sometimes the color of raw untreated wood is quite unexpressive. In such cases, you can use a stain, which will give the wood some shade and emphasize the natural relief and texture.
- Primer can be applied with a brush, but if the area is large and wide, then use a roller.
- To fix the finished painting on a decorative object, you can use acrylic varnish. However, if the product is often planned to be used in everyday life (coasters, trays), it is better to use special furniture varnishes.
Suitable paints
Once the object for painting is prepared, it is time for the artistic part of the work. Many people wonder what paints for painting on wood is better to use. Usually acrylic or oil paints are used to get a permanent and rich in color drawing. The only difference is that oil paints take longer to dry. Acrylics dry quickly, have bright colors and durability they are superior to oil paints.
The perfect choice for any painting will be special paints for painting (so-called acrylic tempera), which are characterized by soft consistency, pastosity, high covering power and a pleasant matte velvety surface after drying.
It is worth noting that those who are just beginning to learn the basics of folk painting on wood, can use an ordinary art gouache to hone their skills.
Brushes for wood painting
The best brushes for painting on wood are the soft brushes of natural origin. Especially valuable are squirrel, columnar, less often – sable. However, for acrylics, synthetic brushes will also work fine.
Before the process, it is important to decide on the appropriate size for the brushes, which are denoted by numbers. For beginners, it is advisable to take one large, two medium and one thin small brush.
Tips to painting with acrylics on wood
Acrylic paints are a popular choice for painting on wood due to their versatility, fast drying time, and durability. They can be used to create a wide range of effects, from a solid color block to a more intricate design. When painting with acrylics on wood, it’s important to follow a few key steps to ensure a successful outcome.
- Clean and Sand the Surface: Start by cleaning the wood to remove any dirt, dust, or other debris. Sand the surface to create a smooth, even surface for the paint to adhere to.
- Apply Primer: A primer helps the paint adhere better to the wood and provides a uniform base for the paint. Use a brush or roller to apply a thin, even coat of primer to the wood, and allow it to dry completely before proceeding.
- Choose and Mix Paints: Select acrylic paints in the desired colors and mix them if necessary to achieve the desired shade.
- Paint the Surface: Using a brush or roller, apply thin, even layers of paint to the surface of the wood. Work in small sections and allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next.
- Finish with a Clear Coat: To protect the paint and enhance its durability, finish the painting project with a clear varnish or sealant.
By following these steps, you can achieve beautiful, long-lasting results when painting with acrylics on wood.