How to Paint the Birch Look

Birch Bark

has such a restful palette

and beautiful texture.

This look will be perfect for

Ann's Cabin.

Her vision is to use many natural elements

in the room.

She has some burlap pillows with

simple black text,

wicker,

and white.

She found this headboard at the thrift store

for less than ten dollars.

So we added some birch branches

to the center.

I'm already feeling the restful embrace....

a simple and peaceful surround.

I'd love to share with you

how to "get the look".

I started with this little black bench/stool.

After sanding just a bit

I base painted in primer white.

Then I dipped my large chip brush

in camel, white, and country grey

and brushed over the base

in a straight line fashion.

At first on the top I base painted in the camel.

Later I decided to add the country grey and white

in a streaky fashion

with a little bit of clear glaze

so that all of the brush strokes would show.

I painted the edges with a charcoal grey wash

(using a bit of clear glaze to go on smooth)

Then using a large flat brush,

lay in the white branches

even if the base coat is still a little wet

because we like the look

of mottled and splotchy. : )

Then add just a teeny bit of charcoal to the edge of your brush

and also some clear glaze to help your

stroke stay smooth.

Drag down the edge of the tree.

Now in a cross wise movement,

drag a chip brush

back and forth with white paint.

Using a fan brush,

dip in some charcoal grey and glaze

and wipe off so there is not a lot of paint on your brush.

Stipple up and down in places.

Drag straight line in places.

If it is too heavy,

dab off with a baby wipe.

That way it subdues and fades out the harshness.

This is so forgiving with the glaze.

You can wipe off and try again as many times as you need to!

Phew.

Then use the fan brush

with charcoal paint

pulling in from the sides.

Use a small amount of black paint on some edges

and a few random other places

dabbing off with a baby wipe to get

a natural shape.

You can see how I added in the streaky

brush stroke between branches.

Now you've "got the look"

of natural birch.

Are you thinking of all kinds of

things to paint on!

Happy Painting!

Deb



Link Parties:

Friday:         Miss Mustard Seed
                          At the Picket Fence
                          Redoux Interiors
                          The Shabby Nest
                          Common Ground

Saturday:    Funky Junk Interiors 
                    Tatertots & Jello
                    It's Overflowing

Sunday:      DIY Showoff

Monday:      BoogieBoard Cottage
                    I Should be Mopping the Floor
                   Craftomaniac
                   Between Naps on the Porch
                   Keeping it Simple
                   It's so Very Cheri

Wednesday:  Savvy Southern Style

Thursday:      Beyond the Picket Fence
                      Stone Gable
                      House of Hepworths
                      The 36th Avenue
                      A Delightsome Life
                      The Brambleberry Cottage
                     The Shabby Creek Cottage