Some people use patterns, others do freehand.
If you use a pattern, some patterns require that you paint the entire surface or special areas before tracing on the patten. This is called base painting. It is not necessary to seal a gourd before painting. Just be sure to seal it after you paint it.




Filling holes:
If there are small holes in the gourd, they can be filled with wood putty. apply putty with a putty knife, pressing the putty in the holes. Wipe off excess with wet paper towels. Let dry.

Solid coating:
Use a dampened large flat brush to paint the entire surface of your gourd. Stroke the brush over the surface to distribute the paint evenly. Do not leave ridges. Go over the surface while the paint is wet to remove any irregularities. Depending upon the color, you may have to apply 2 coats. Let the first coat dry before applying the next coat. If you don't do this, you could lift off the first coat.

A transparent appearance can be given by diluting the color of paint. This is called a wash. it can be done by mixing the paint with glazing medium or by adding water to the paint. a wash allows the gourd's natural surface or underlying color to show through. Use a natural silk sponge to crate a textured background over the base coat. or to create foliage.

You can also create texture by sponging over an unpainted gourd. This allows the natural color of the gourd to show through the sponging. Wet the sponge and wring out most of the water. Pour a puddle of paint on a palette. Dip the sponge in the paint and bounce on the palette to work the color up into the sponge so only the hint of the color shows on the surface of the sponge. Lightly pounce the sponge on the gourd to create texture.
© Roxanne

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