Plaid Painted Wooden Christmas Trees

Transform simple wood tree shapes into stunning painted plaid Christmas decor using FolkArt paint, perfect for holiday mantles, shelves, or tabletops.

Instructions

Preparation

1. Sand your wood shapes - Lightly sand each wooden tree cutout to smooth any rough edges. Wipe clean with a dry cloth to remove dust. 
2. Apply base coat – Thin a small amount of one of the darker colors and use as a stain on the sides and back of a tree. Brush on the thinner paint and let it sit for a minute then wipe off. Make them all the same or use different colors on each tree. 
3. Using a flat brush, paint the front of each tree shape with 2-3 coats of FolkArt Linen, allowing each coat to dry completely (30-45 minutes between coats). This creates your neutral plaid background. 
4. Plan your plaid pattern - Refer to the photo for placement. Each tree features a different plaid pattern using combinations of Hunter Green, Medium Gray, and Berry Wine. Lightly sketch your plaid grid lines with pencil if desired. 

Creating the Plaid Patterns 

Tree 1: Bold Green Plaid 

1. Vertical stripes - Using Hunter Green and a 1/2" flat brush, paint wide vertical stripes down the tree, spacing them about 1-1.5 inches apart. Let dry 20 minutes. 
2. Horizontal stripes - Paint horizontal Hunter Green stripes across the tree at the same spacing. Let dry completely. 
3. Add gray accents - Using Medium Gray and a 1/4" brush, paint thinner vertical and horizontal lines between the green stripes. Refer to the photo for placement. 
4. Berry Wine details - With a fine detail brush, add thin Berry Wine lines alongside some of the gray stripes for depth and dimension. 

Tree 2: Neutral Brown-Gray Plaid 

1. Create vertical lines - Using Medium Gray and a 3/4" brush, paint wide vertical stripes. Let dry 20 minutes. 
2. Horizontal lines - Paint horizontal Medium Gray stripes to create the plaid grid base. Let dry. 
3. Add green accents - With a 1/4" brush and Hunter Green, add thinner vertical and horizontal accent lines. Refer to the photo for placement of the green intersecting lines. 
4. Berry Wine highlights - Use a fine brush to add subtle Berry Wine accent lines in select areas. 

Tree 3: Chocolate Brown Plaid 

1. Note on color - While the instructions call for Berry Wine, Medium Gray, and Hunter Green, you can create a brown tone by mixing Berry Wine with a touch of Hunter Green, or layer Berry Wine heavily for a deeper, richer appearance. 
2. Wide vertical stripes - Paint broad vertical stripes using your darkest color mix, spacing them evenly across the tree. 
3. Horizontal stripes - Add horizontal stripes at similar spacing to create your plaid grid. Let dry completely. 
4. Accent lines - Add Hunter Green and Medium Gray accent lines between the main stripes. Refer to the photo for placement. 
5. Layering - Where lines intersect, the colors will naturally blend and create darker squares, giving authentic plaid dimension. 

Advanced Plaid Technique Tips 

• Intersections create depth - When vertical and horizontal stripes cross, they naturally create darker squares. This is what makes plaid look authentic. 
• Vary your stripe widths - Plaid patterns typically have a mix of wide and narrow stripes. Use different brush sizes to achieve this. 
• Thin your paint slightly - For the overlay stripes, thin your paint with a tiny bit of water so the base color shows through slightly, creating a woven fabric appearance. 
• Layer colors - Paint your dominant color first, then add accent colors. Where they overlap creates visual interest. 

Finishing Touches 

1. Edge painting - Don't forget to paint the edges of each tree cutout in Linen or your dominant plaid color for a polished look. 
2. Optional seal - Once completely dry (24 hours), apply a clear acrylic sealer for durability, especially if these will be handled frequently. 
3. Display - Arrange your plaid trees in a cluster on a shelf, mantel, or tiered tray. Mix with greenery, pinecones, and other rustic elements for maximum cozy cottage vibes. 

Pro Tips

• Practice your plaid pattern on paper first to visualize the design.
• Use painter's tape for ultra-crisp lines if you prefer a precise look.