Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: newknapper on February 13, 2010, 10:02:40 pm

Title: Decoration Ideas
Post by: newknapper on February 13, 2010, 10:02:40 pm
I just finished a D-Bow that I am going to give a young boy. Its from a southern red oak stave that I cut from behind my house. I am wanting to decorate it some cause its seasoned out a dull grey color. Any ideas? Here is a pic of it before it was finished

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Title: Re: Decoration Ideas
Post by: nugget on February 13, 2010, 10:34:21 pm
Use what you have around your property. Berries make nice color. Put some leaves in a bucket with water and let them decompose. Clay makes nuce colrs also. If all else fails use earth tone pastel chalk that can be bought at a craft store. The decorations can be made in any random patterns. I like alternating color blocks or shapes. Use your imagination and practice on a piece of paper or scap of wood.
Title: Re: Decoration Ideas
Post by: half eye on February 13, 2010, 10:54:12 pm
      There are about a zillion ways to get color , design, etc. on wood. Go with what the other fellas said, use artist acrylic paints (watered down to a "wash", Dana uses stain and wadded up cloth (I think) his bows are very nice. About the only thing new I could tell you about is using different color stains and do it like you would Easter-Eggs for the kids........Start with your lightest color and when dried....use a crayon to mark out some designs...then apply the next darker color....more designs....more color etc. etc. just like coloring the eggs :D Wipe the crayon off at the very end.
      Another thing I havent seen listed yet is to use stain and (while it is still wet) take a rag with the appropriate thinner and blot, rub, wipe etc. to produce a number of different effects.
       Hope it helps a little, but like nugget said just practice a little on some scrap wood first.
half eye
Title: Re: Decoration Ideas
Post by: Grunt on February 14, 2010, 12:08:04 am
Go to your local library and look in the NA section for patterns and colors. Get a catalog from Crazy Crow for the same stuff. It's always nice to do a drawing first to see if you are headed in the right direction. Lay out your pattern with chalk. Have fun!!
Title: Re: Decoration Ideas
Post by: Hillbilly on February 14, 2010, 10:09:26 am
Leather dye or Rit dye mixed in alcohol is a good way to get a lot of different color combinations and effects. Acrylic craft paint works well, also.
Title: Re: Decoration Ideas
Post by: newknapper on February 14, 2010, 12:49:09 pm
Thanks allt guys I will give it a shot