Harley's Tips for Beginners

Tips from Harley Refsal Author of the Art and Technique of Scandinavian-Style Woodcarving

Woodcarving Illustrated Issue #28 Page 34

1. Start painting on the back of the carving or in some other less noticeable area instead of a critical place such as the face or front. Beginning to paint in an inconspicuous place enables you to get used to the feel of the brush and paint on wood before starting to paint an area of the carving as crucial and visible as the face. Taking these approaches will help you become more comfortable with painting before moving on to a smaller, more difficult or more noticeable area.
2. Create a strategy before you begin. Acrylics are very quick to dry, so I tend to start with a color that can dry while I'm painting the next part. For the troll, I begin painting the trousers and then the hair. After I paint the hair, the trousers are dry so I can paint the shirt. By painting in this order, I won't be applying fresh, wet paint right next to a still-wet area. That's the essence of my guiding principle for painting: avoid painting next to a still-wet color. If you would rather not wait for paint to air dry, use a hair drying to speed up the process.
3. Check that you have a clean cut between different areas of color. I usually keep a knife right at hand to correct cuts between colors.
4. By painting with thin washes, you can minimize anxiety and problems.
5. Be sure to brace your hands to avoid shakiness.