It is a good idea to apply a primer, especially if the wood has been coated with a dark stain. The primer will provide a better surface to paint and the color that you choose will look better on a surface that has been primed. A dark stain will affect the shade of the paint, regardless of how many coats are added. If you are unsure of the type of primer that you would need to use then you should ask a store paint professional. Be sure to mention the type of paint that you are planning to use and the stain that needs to be covered.
How To Paint On Wood With Acrylics
Acrylic paint, known for its versatility, is a popular choice among artists for various surfaces, including wood. The combination of textures and visual appeal in painting on wood with acrylics results in eye-catching artwork. This medium encourages artists to explore different techniques, colours, and styles while appreciating the natural charm of wood. Both seasoned artists and beginners can find painting on wood with acrylics an engaging and fulfilling creative experience. To achieve the best results, it’s essential to consider specific factors when working with acrylic paint on wood.
- Apply a primer: Using a primer on the wood surface prior to painting enhances acrylic paint adhesion and ensures more uniform coverage.
- Smooth the surface: By sanding the wood surface, you can improve paint adhesion and achieve a finer finish.
- Opt for thin, multiple layers: Applying several thin coats of acrylic paint, rather than one thick layer, and allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before the next application will yield optimal results.
- Apply acrylic paint directly on unprepared wood: Without proper preparation, acrylic paint may not adhere well to the surface, leading to chipping and peeling.
- Use water-based acrylics on oil-rich woods: Water-based acrylic paints may struggle to bond with oily woods like teak. In these cases, opt for oil-based acrylic paints for better adhesion.
Choosing the Wood to Paint On
When painting with acrylics on wood, it’s crucial to choose the right type of wood. Different woods react differently to paint, with hardwoods being more porous and absorbing paint easily, while softwoods offer a smoother surface and need fewer coats for full coverage. Plywood and particle board are also popular choices, but thorough sanding is essential to ensure proper paint adhesion.
Selecting a Suitable Type of Wood
Plywood – Plywood is an affordable and versatile option for painting with acrylics. Choose a higher-grade plywood with minimal knots and imperfections for a smooth surface.
MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) – MDF is another cost-effective option. It has a smooth surface and is less prone to warping compared to plywood.
Hardwoods – Hardwoods like oak, maple, and birch provide a durable and high-quality surface for painting. However, they can be more expensive and may require additional preparation.
Basswood – Basswood is a popular choice among artists due to its fine, even grain and light colour. It’s easy to work with and provides a good surface for acrylic paints.
Preparing the Wood Surface
To ensure successful acrylic painting on wood, surface preparation is vital. Begin by sanding the wood for a smooth finish, and, on rougher surfaces, apply a primer before painting.
Cleaning
Clean the wood surface with a damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt. Allow it to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Sanding
Sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper (around 220 grit) to create a smooth and even surface. Sand in the direction of the wood grain, and wipe away any dust with a damp cloth.
Applying Primer
Apply a layer of primer, such as gesso or acrylic primer, to seal the wood and prevent the paint from soaking into the fibres. This will also help the colours appear more vibrant on the finished piece. Allow the primer to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Applying Additional Coats
If necessary, apply additional coats of primer, sanding lightly between each coat for a smoother surface. Once you are satisfied with the surface, you can begin painting with acrylics.
Remember to use thin coats of paint and build up layers for the best results. Enjoy the process of creating your artwork on wood!
Gathering Supplies
Gathering supplies is an important step in any creative endeavour. When it comes to painting, you’ll need a variety of essential materials
Acrylic Paints
Choose high-quality acrylic paints that offer good coverage and a wide range of colours to bring your artwork to life.
Brushes and Painting Tools
Select an assortment of brushes in various sizes and shapes, as well as painting tools like palette knives and sponges for different techniques and textures.
Sandpaper, Primer, and Sealant
Prepare the wood surface with fine-grit sandpaper and apply a primer to ensure proper paint adhesion. After completing your artwork, use a sealant to protect and preserve the painting.
Preparing the Wood Surface
Preparing the wood surface is an essential step before starting any wood-based project. It involves ensuring that the wood is clean, smooth, and ready for further treatment or finishing.
Sanding the Wood
Use fine-grit sandpaper (around 220 grit) to create a smooth and even surface. Sand in the direction of the wood grain.
Wiping Down the Surface
Clean the wood surface with a damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt. Allow it to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Applying a Coat of Primer or Gesso
To ensure acrylic paint adheres to wood, apply a primer or use an all-in-one acrylic paint and primer. Follow the product label instructions for application.
After priming, keep the following tips in mind while painting:
● Apply thin coats of paint to avoid bubbling and ensure even coverage.
● Let each coat dry fully before adding another layer.
● If your acrylic paint isn’t self-levelling, sand between coats for a smooth finish.
Applying the Acrylic Paint
After the primer dries, begin painting with high-quality acrylic paints to ensure proper adhesion and prevent peeling or chipping. Recommended brands include Matisse, Winsor & Newton, Reeves, and Liquitex.
Work with thin paint layers and build up the colour gradually to avoid cracking or flaking. Allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next colour.
Painting Techniques
Painting techniques encompass a wide range of methods used to apply paint to a surface, creating different effects and textures.
Applying Base Layers
Start by laying down a base layer of paint, which will serve as the foundation for your artwork. This helps to establish the overall colour scheme and mood of your piece.
Building Up Layers and Blending Colours
Gradually build up layers of paint, allowing each one to dry before applying the next. Use blending techniques to create smooth transitions between colours and add depth to your work.
Using Different Brush Strokes and Techniques
Experiment with various brushstrokes, brushes, and painting tools to achieve different textures and effects. This can enhance the visual interest of your artwork and give it a unique, personal touch.
Finishing Your Artwork
Finishing your artwork is the final step that brings your creation to completion. It involves various processes to enhance and protect the artwork.
Letting the Paint Dry
Allow the paint to dry completely, following the manufacturer’s recommended drying time, to ensure the colours and textures are set properly.
Applying a Protective Sealant or Varnish
To achieve the best results when painting with acrylics on wood, it’s essential to follow a few key steps. Ensure you use a primer, sand the surface, and apply multiple thin coats for optimal coverage. Once satisfied with your artwork, protect it using an acrylic sealant specifically designed for use with acrylic paint. By adhering to these guidelines, you’ll create stunning and durable pieces that showcase your artistic talents.
Displaying or Storing Your Artwork
Choose how to display your finished piece, whether on a wall or in a frame. If storing, place it in a secure and dry location to prevent any damage or deterioration.
Does Acrylic Paint Work on Wood?
Acrylic paint is a quick-drying and non-toxic product due to it being a water-based formula that consists of pigments that have been spread by means of an acrylic polymer emulsion. This paint is also easy to clean, and all it takes is some soapy water. A wide range of woods can easily be given a fresh coat of acrylic paint, provided that you follow the necessary steps that will result in the enhanced durability of your project. This is why acrylic paint has become an incredibly popular choice for a variety of wood crafts. This is because they are readily available at most stores, so there is no need to head to a special arts and crafts outlet. The non-toxic formula means that it is great for indoor use and it is also a great option for children that are learning to paint with richer colors. It is recommended to prime any surface before applying a coat of acrylic paint to achieve the best results.
A variety of potential wood paint projects can be tried, and these range from functional projects such as furniture or wooden trays or you could opt for something more aesthetic. Either way, there are a variety of projects that require painting on wood.
The best part about painting on wood is that wood is an extremely affordable material, especially when compared to canvas. It also provides a sturdier surface and this means that there will not be any cracking during the drying process – unless the wood has been damaged. A properly prepared wooden surface will provide you with a smooth surface, which is perfect for applying acrylic paint.
There are a few disadvantages when it comes to using acrylic paint on wood crafts and furniture. This is because wood is significantly heavier than canvas and it will require proper preparation before painting. Failure to do so will result in a shortened lifespan or discoloration of the wood, this is why sealing or priming is necessary. It is also difficult to frame wood pieces if you are new to the craft and doing this incorrectly will result in warping. It is also more difficult to hang wood than what it is compared to a canvas piece; however, this should not discourage you from creating an acrylic paint on wood art piece.
Which Acrylic Paint Works on Wood?
There are two primary forms of acrylic paint for woodwork: Artist-quality and student-quality paints. The artist-quality paint is a better-quality paint and is offered in an extensive assortment of colors. These paints are also developed with a high amount of pigment and it is generally of better quality and this produces more vibrant colors. The texture is smoother and this means that blending and layering are much easier.
Student-quality acrylic paint is cheaper as it does not contain the same amount of pigment that is found in the artist-quality paint. The variety of available colors are also less and many of the colors contain fillers, which results in a weaker shade that is used. We have a separate guide about the best acrylic paints.
Preparing Wood for Paint
Before you think about starting your acrylic paint on wood crafts, there are a few steps that you will need to take. The majority of craft stores have wood blanks and this raises the question, can you paint wood with acrylic paint? Yes, but the following steps need to be considered if you wish to have a high-quality item.
Sanding the Wood Before Painting
Fine-grit sandpaper is recommended for sanding and this is usually between 140 to 180-grit. Once this step has been completed, wipe the exterior to get rid of all of the dirt and dust. The general rule of thumb is to sand with the wood grain because sanding with the grain will likely result in scratches on the surface. Think about what happens if you run your hand against velvet fabric, you will see all of the imperfections, the same concept applies to wood, even though it is a harder material.
There are pieces of wood that you can buy that have already been sanded, so if you are willing to pay a bit more for a prepared piece of wood, then do it. If the wood that you have bought is perfectly smooth, then there is no need to sand it. When wiping the dust, use a cloth or a tack rag. These are specially manufactured cloths that are designed to remove dirt and dust. These will be found near the sandpaper in a hardware store.
If you do not have these cloths, you can use a damp cloth to wipe away dirt and dust. However, you should not wet the wood, like most types of bare wood will absorb the water. If you are going to skip the sanding process, it is still necessary to give it a good clean as there will likely be dirt or dust on it, and this will have an effect on how the primer sticks to the exterior of the wood.
Apply a Primer Before Starting to Paint
Priming the wood is a great way to seal the surface, but it is not always necessary. However, if you skip this step, there is a chance that the paint that you are using will not adhere to the surface very well. Primer also helps the paint stand out, especially if the wood is dark. With priming, you will never need to ask if you can use acrylic paint on wood, as this will be guaranteed after priming.
There are a variety of primer products available, some of them can be sprayed on, brushed on, or rolled on; however, we recommend spraying, as you can apply a thin coat before waiting for it to dry. The more layers of primer that are applied, the better the finish will be. After applying the first layer, give it a light sanding and then clean it thoroughly before adding the second layer. The primer will need to dry overnight.
