Are you considering new options for painting surfaces and have an interest in painting on wood like recycled surfboard art? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will cover the fundamental information needed to start using acrylic paints on wood.
Choosing the Right Wood for Painting
Wood Panels
If you don’t want to spend a lot of time sourcing quality wood, the easiest thing to do is get some wood panels. These come gessoed and un-gessoed depending on your preference, as well as in a variety of thicknesses. They are also available precut in a variety of shapes outside of the simple square or rectangle. Everything from clean triangles to circles with beveled edges is available at your local craft store. If unavailable in your area, online options are available as well.
Hardware Woods
Your standard hardware store or local lumberyard might have what you’re looking for as well. There are a few parameters to keep in mind, however, as lumber for building will have different standards than ones for painting. Keep in mind you want to pick woods that are resistant to moisture and don’t warp over time.
If you can get wood that has been kiln treated, do so. The lower the moisture content, the better, with an ideal moisture content being around 9-11%.
Pallets
Get dry pallets that have the symbol “HT” somewhere on them, as this means they are heat treated to prevent pests and bugs from living inside the wood. “KD,” which means kiln dried to reduce moisture, will also work. This means that you will have greater success for the longevity of your wood projects.
Warning! Using any pallets with the marking of “MB” is not advised. This means that the wood was treated with a strong pesticide, Methyl Bromide. When sanding, this can cause a long list of health issues and side effects, making these pallets unsafe for DIY projects. If there are no markings at all, use caution when working with recycled pallet wood. Use gloves, protective eyewear, and a respirator if you are at all unsure.
Preparing Surfaces for Painting
There are a few basic steps you’ll need to follow to ensure that your wood is prepped to receive paint and make sure that the colors you pick will stay vibrant while also filling every nook and cranny.
Carving
There is a long history of carving in relief and adding paint to the surface. From religious iconography to making wooden figures, carving can be an interesting way to add dimension and interest to your work. Ideally, you would stick to soft woods that can be more easily carved and sanded.
When carving, remember that the more detailed the carving is, the thinner your application of paint needs to be. Be sure to follow the instructions for your paint for correct dilution.
Sanding
Sanding is ideal if you want a smooth surface to work on. Depending on how rough the surface is to start with, you will need to begin with a rougher, or lower grit, sandpaper and work your way up to a higher grit. If there are a lot of imperfections and bumps in the wood, starting with a 40-60 grit would be a good place to begin, then work your way up to 250-300 to finish it off. You can use either an orbital sander, which will be more expensive, for flat surfaces or a sanding block, which is the more economical choice.
Gesso
Gesso is a key step for your wood projects as it will provide the ideal surface for your acrylics to cling to. White gesso is ideal for when you want your colors to pop and be vibrant. Black gesso is great if you have lots of small details, so when you add paint on top, it will look more like a natural highlight. Clear gesso is ideal if you want more of the wood to show beneath your colors, or if you want parts of the wood to be shown. Gesso can be thinned with some water and applied in more coats if you have intricate details in your wood or carved elements.
Finding Sap or Moisture
Sap can be resolved with certain oil soaps and shellacs. If not applied or cleaned properly, it can result in the sap bubbling beneath your paint, creating an uneven texture. Be sure to read the instructions on all materials used to get rid of or create a barrier between the sap and your paint, and make sure that those products are compatible with acrylics.
Creative Painting Techniques
Let’s get the creative juices flowing with a few ideas.
Follow the Grain
Wood grain flows in a way that is truly nature’s beauty, so do not be hesitant to show it off! Use assorted colors to paint in the rings or knots of the wood grain to really highlight the wood itself for a unique look.
Faces and figures have been painted on trees from everything from Snow White to the Legend of Zelda. If you see elements of a figure or expression in the grain, do not ignore it! You could have something one-of-a-kind in your hands!
Exposed Wood
Use clear gesso as a base and wipe away your acrylics with a dry brush or old rag to show the wood beneath! This is great for minute details or for carvings you really want to highlight.
This could also be used when painting on flat surfaces if you want to highlight the wood by masking it off with tape or butcher paper.
Classical Icons
Wooden icons were exceedingly popular during the Byzantine era, 3rd century CE. Often these would come in single painted panels, but they can also have three or more pieces of wood attached with hinges. While you do not have to use religious imagery specifically, having your base material be wood means you can use more hardware such as hinges and latches to create more interactive pieces.
The Final Touches
Varnish is essential in keeping moisture out of your wood as well as protecting the acrylics from various forms of damage.
There are varnishes designed for exterior use, which will help keep the paint from degrading as quickly. You will need to seal the entirety of your wooden surface for the best protection.
There are also shellacs and oils, available at your local hardware stores, which are good at protecting the wood itself, but not always the acrylics. So be sure when selecting your products to check that there won’t be any adverse reactions with the acrylics.
For pieces that will remain indoors, you can use a varnish for when the piece comes into contact with sunlight and light scuffing. Nova Color has both matte and gloss options for protecting your work.
Conclusion
Painting with acrylics on wood like contemporary coastal art can be a rewarding and versatile medium for your artistic projects. By carefully selecting your wood, properly preparing your surfaces, and employing creative techniques, you can create stunning works of art that highlight the natural beauty of wood. Whether you’re painting intricate carvings or showcasing the wood grain, following these guidelines will ensure your pieces are both beautiful and long-lasting.