Painted Birchwood Book Décor

Painted Birchwood Book Décor

Posted by DecoArt on Sep 4th 2019

Painted books make a versatile addition to any home décor, especially in this on-trend birchwood pattern painted with Americana® Acrylics.

SUPPLIES

    • 3/4" flat brush
    • 1/4" flat brush
    • 3/4" painter's tape
    • craft or utility knife
    • hardcover book
    • fine tip brush

    INSTRUCTIONS

    NOTES:

    Allow paint to fully dry before applying another coat of paint or changing colors.

    For more coverage, apply a second coat of paint.

    1. Remove the paper dust jackets from all the hardcover books.
      2. Instruction #1
    2. Paint the hardcovers in Whispering Turquoise.
      3. Instruction #2
    3. Stack the books in the order they will be displayed on the bookshelf.
    4. Paint all the book spines in White Wash. Paint half of the front cover of the first book in White Wash as well.
      5. Instruction #4
    5. Align the books so the spines are flush and lay the books down horizontally for easier painting.
      6. Instruction #5
    6. Begin to place pieces of tape along the book spines to block out the birch branches: Place the first piece of painter’s tape on a diagonal on top of the first book’s spine. Wrap it around the front of the book as well. (See photo.)
      7. Instruction #6
    7. Apply a second piece of tape overlapping the first to make the birch branch thicker.
      8. Instruction #7
    8. Move on to the second book and apply a piece of tape along the entire length of the spine.
      9. Instruction #8
    9. Position the next piece of tape on a diagonal overlapping the third and fourth books. Thicken the birch branch by adding a parallel piece of tape.
      10. Instruction #9
    10. Continue with the fourth and fifth books by adding tape. (See photo.)
      11. Instruction #10
    11. Using a utility knife, cut the tape joining the books, taking care not to cut the hardcovers.
      12. Instruction #11
    12. Separate the books keeping note of the order from one to five. Paint over the taped spines in Whispering Turquoise covering all White Wash-painted areas.
      13. Instruction #12
    13. Peel away the painter’s tape.
      14. Instruction #13
    14. Touch up any rough edges with a fine tip paintbrush and White Wash.
    15. Using a smaller flat brush, mix White Wash with a bit of Neutral Grey and apply it along the birch branches.
      16. Instruction #15
    16. Work one branch at time, keeping note of which branches are layered in behind or in front of each other.
      17. Instruction #16
    17. Using a fine tip paintbrush, apply irregular Neutral Grey dashes along the lengths of each branch.
      18. Instruction #17
    18. Continue working one branch at a time.
      19. Instruction #18
    19. Using a fine tip paintbrush, apply smaller, irregular Soft Black dashes over the Neutral Grey marks.
      20. Instruction #19
    20. Continue working one branch at a time.
      21. Instruction #20
    21. Using a large flat brush, apply DuraClear Satin Varnish over the painted hardcovers.
      22. Instruction #21
    22. Allow enough time to dry before displaying them on a bookshelf.
      23. Instruction #22

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