Here are some tips that will save you time and make a great looking project.

Always use a good quality exterior grade plywood. I prefer 1/4" birch plywood “flooring underlayment grade” for smaller projects that comes in 4' x 5' or 4’ x 8’ sheets and 1/2" exterior grade plywood “smooth on one side” that comes in 4' x 8' sheets for larger projects. You can find 1/4" birch plywood at a flooring material supply company or flooring covering retail store. Check your local phone book. Some lumberyard stores will also carry this, as well as the 1/2" plywood. Each pattern has it's own material list so you will know what you need to complete any project.

Transfer the pattern to the plywood and cut out. Most of the time a jig saw with a smooth cut blade works best. Depending on the skill level of the pattern, some cuts are very tight and will require the use of a "scroll saw style blade " that fits a jig saw and makes it easier to cut out difficult areas.

You can prime the plywood on both sides with a good exterior grade paint primer before or after you cut out the pattern. If you prime first, then you can transfer all the cut, detail & paint lines for the project. If you prime after, then transfer just the "larger cut lines", Cut out the project, prime, then reposition the transfer paper and pattern on your cut-out, then transfer all the detail & paint lines.

From here it is like a paint by number kit. I use acrylic (water based) paint you can buy at the craft, hardware or lumber store. They usually have a good selection of basic colors in small cans and you can easily mix small amounts for a special color. You will need a set of assorted size paint brushes as well.

After you paint all the areas and edges as needed, outline between the colors with a black paint marker. These are available in assorted colors and in fine / medium point and work like a magic marker only with paint.

To highlight or frost areas, use a technique called "dry brushing", by dipping the brush in paint, then wipe it off on a paper towel so there is hardly any left on it, then lightly brush it on as you like.

After you are all done, give your project a good coat or two of clear finish, satin works best, not glossy.

To display outdoors, I screw pieces of 1" x 2" wood to the back, top and bottom area, or where ever the project allows. Then I use 1/2" electrical conduit cut to about 2 - 3 feet long that I can pound into the ground (even frozen ground) and attach the project using conduit clamps and screws to the mounting boards on the back. On some projects, like deer patterns, a “heavy duty” tent stake works well to hold the legs down.

To light up your display, I use colored or clear flood lights that set inside a shadow box so you cannot see where the light comes from and concentrates the light on your project. Also it helps protect the flood lights from the weather. If your project needs “back-lighting” for our “glowing” patterns, I use clear mini-lights mounted on the back side, then enclose them with plywood so the light shines forward to make the project “glow”.

Doc hopes you enjoy making and displaying your “Art” and come back soon for your next project.

Happy Wood Crafting!   

Doc Holidays