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Learn How to Use FolkArt Acrylic Paint as a Staining Resist -- It

Learn How to Use FolkArt Acrylic Paint as a Staining Resist -- It's Easy!

Today's educational blog post is a technique-driven post that is quick and easy! 

Have you ever used FolkArt Acrylic Colors to create a stencil mask or stencil resist to simulate an inlay pattern in wood?  It really is a pretty cool technique and I would like to share it with you today!

For demonstration purposes, I quickly grabbed a birdhouse and some pretty cool stencils.  So let's begin and gather our supplies ....


  • Wood Birdhouse
  • FolkArt Laser Cut Stencils - Swirl Background, Ditsy Floral and Family words
  • FolkArt Multi-Surface Paint - Wicker White
  • FolkArt Home Decor Wood Tints - Oak and Walnut
  • FolkArt Stencil Brush
  • Miscellaneous Supplies:  Brush Basin or container for water, Paper Towels, Foam Plate for palette, 3/4" Flat Brush, No. 8 Flat Brush, No. 1 Liner Brush, Stylus, Optional Supplies:  Stencil Tape, Tracing Paper and Pencil


After I selected my stencils and determined my placement, I loaded my stencil brush with FolkArt Multi-Surface Wicker White and then off-loaded it onto a paper towel.  

TIP:  Always off-load a stencil brush before stenciling as this will remove excess paint which could cause a bleed or run under of paint between your project surface and the backside of the stencil.  There are a couple general paint application methods used when stenciling:  one is the dabbing or stippling effect using a straight up and down motion and the second is holding the brush vertically straight up, bristles down and swirl the brush in a circular clockwise / counter clockwise motion.  (Choose your favorite stenciling technique.)  I began my project by stenciling the roof using the Ditsy Floral Stencil as shown below.

Here's a look at one side of the birdhouse roof after I stenciled directly on the raw wood.  This is such a pretty stencil, isn't it?  It's one of my favorites!  Repeat for the second side of the roof.

To create an overall pattern on three sides of the birdhouse I chose the Swirl Background Stencil.  Love this design, too, and it's perfect for creating a small close-detailed overall background on just about any project!  Stencil the two sides and the back leaving the front un-stenciled for now.


Next, I created a paper pattern to make sure my words would fit and also to adjust spacing.  You can see that I also traced around a few flowers from the Ditsy Floral stencil to bring the flowers on the birdhouse front.  TIP:  By tracing around them, you will get the reverse design as was stenciled because you will paint within the pattern lines, not outside them when stenciling.

Once my pattern was created and I was happy with both the letter / word spacing and floral designs, I wanted to transfer the petals onto the front of the birdhouse.  To easily accomplish this, I flipped the tracing paper pattern over and carefully retraced over the pencil lines as shown below.

Then I flipped my pattern right side up and onto the birdhouse front.  Using an artist's stylus, I retraced over the petal lines.  TIP:  If you do not have a stylus a dead ballpoint pen works great!

Continue stenciling in the same manner on the front of the birdhouse stenciling the phrase, "There is no place like H O M E" from the Family Words Stencil.

Next, I loaded my No. 1 Liner Brush with Wicker White and painted within the petal lines which I had just transferred.

And I added Wicker White trim under the roof line. . . .

. . .  as well as a little checkerboard trim on the roof edges.  Pretty cute, eh?

And of course, the flowers needed a little extra!!  Why not add a few polka dots?  I loaded up my stylus with Wicker White and randomly added polka dot embellishments!

Here is a look at the birdhouse front complete with the mini polka dots that added just the right touch!

Of course, the roof needed a few polka dot embellishments too!  Next, be sure to allow all the paint including the dimensional dots to thoroughly dry before working with FolkArt Wood Tints.

FolkArt Home Decor Wood Tints are available in five colors:  White, Walnut, Oak, Grey, and Cascade!  I chose both Oak and Walnut for today's project.  These Wood Tints are great to work with because they are fast drying, waterbase, non-toxic and the clean up is super simple with mild soap and water!  FolkArt Wood Tints can be used on both indoor and outdoor projects, however, if I were to use my birdhouse outdoors, I would first seal it and add a few protective layers of FolkArt Home Decor Varnish.

I chose to apply Oak on the body of the birdhouse.  Working with FolkArt Wood Tints is very easy.  I began by stirring the product rather than shaking it, as there will be some settling of pigment at the bottom of the bottle.  Once thoroughly mixed, I loaded my 3/4" flat brush and applied the wood tint over one side of the birdhouse body.  You can see in this photo the exposed raw wood of the birdhouse body is soaking up the color.  I then allowed it to set a minute or two.


Next, I gently wiped over the Oak Wood Tint with a soft paper towel to remove any excess.   Repeat this step on all three remaining sides of the birdhouse.

Using the same methods, I then brushed Walnut Wood Tint over the base and roof of the birdhouse.

And again, I wiped away the excess after letting it rest a couple minutes. I then continued applying Walnut on the remaining exposed areas.

And here is a final look at the completed birdhouse; I told you it was quick and easy!  Imagine this technique completed with a border stencil on a table top, it would give you the appearance of inlay wood!  Wasn't that a fun, new technique?

Posted: 6/9/2015 12:06:00 PM by LEAP | with 0 comments
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