How to Use FolkArt Watercolor Gelz

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How to Use FolkArt Watercolor Gelz

Learn how to paint engraved wood with FolkArt Watercolor Gelz paint.

This amazing acrylic paint is gel-like that thins out with water and dries with a slight translucent finish instead of being totally opaque.

These paints are perfect for painting wood, because it's like a stain or wash, leaving the grains of the wood showing through a bit.

First, let's talk about the FolkArt Watercolor Gelz.

They are awesome paints. They are acrylic paints in more of a gel consistency than other acrylic craft paint.

You don't need to water them down, but I like to add water and the paint becomes really smooth and translucent, just like watercolors.

They come in a huge array of beautiful and vivid colors--I'm using 14 different colors in the one engraved wood plaque.

They are perfect to use in connection with the xTool M1 Laser Cutting Machine.

First, let's talk about the FolkArt Watercolor Gelz. They are awesome. They are acrylic paints in more of a gel consistency than other acrylic craft paint. You don't have to water them down, but I like to add water and paint just like watercolors. They come in a huge array of beautiful and vivid colors--I'm using 14 different colors in the one engraved wood plaque. They are perfect to use in connection with the xTool M1 Laser Cutting Machine.

Supplies Needed for FolkArt Watercolor Gelz Wood Engraved Plaque:

Step 1: Laser Engraving

Begin by using a laser cutting machine (xTool M1) to engrave a floral design in 3mm basswood.
I love my xTool.

I have been using it for about 5 months and the possibilities are amazing and endless.

I bought a bundle of flower designs on etsy and put them all on one page to make a background of flowers.

I imported it into xTool Creative Space and had my machine engrave the lines.

Step 1: Laser Engraving Begin by using a laser cutting machine (xTool M1) to engrave a floral design in 3mm basswood. I love my xTool. I have been using it for about 5 months and the possibilities are amazing and endless. I bought a bundle of flower designs on etsy and put them all on one page to make a background of flowers. I imported it into xTool Creative Space and had my machine engrave the lines.

Laser cutting and engraving is so amazing.

It took my machine about an hour and a half to engrave the full 12 inch circle wood.

I love how it looks in just natural basswood--if you've been around my website long, you'll notice that natural wood reoccurring theme.

Step 2: Paint with FolkArt Watercolor Gelz

Now is the fun part!

The FolkArt Watercolor Gelz are the perfect paint for wood because it's vivid, but has a translucent quality and lets the wood shine through it.

This is the only way I will paint engraved wood, because I love to see the natural wood.

Step 2: Paint with FolkArt Watercolor Gelz Now is the fun part! The FolkArt Watercolor Gelz are the perfect paint for wood because it's vivid, but has a translucent quality and lets the wood shine through it. This is the only way I will paint engraved wood, because I love to see the natural wood.

Begin by squeezing a pea sized amount of paint on a palette.

I'm using a paper plate as my palette, wax paper is another one of my favorite go-to palettes.

Which is funny because I have real palettes, lol.

You will also need a cup of water nearby and a paper towel or napkin for blotting.

Begin by squeezing a pea sized amount of paint on a palette. I'm using a paper plate as my palette, wax paper is another one of my favorite go-to palettes. Which is funny because I have real palettes, lol. You will also need a cup of water nearby and a paper towel or napkin for blotting.

Now dip the paintbrush into water and brush it next to the little pile of paint, adding just a bit of the paint to the water.

This thins and dilutes the paint and makes it the perfect wood paint.

Then paint the diluted FolkArt Watercolor Gelz directly on the wood.

I brush in the direction of the grain.

If the watercolor is too watery, it will bleed in the grains more.

If it's too thick, it will clump as you paint.

The perfect consistency is smooth and glides right on the wood easily.

Then paint the diluted FolkArt Watercolor Gelz directly on the wood. I brush in the direction of the grain. If the watercolor is too watery, it will bleed in the grains more. If it's too thick, it will clump as you paint. The perfect consistency is smooth and glides right on the wood easily.

If you paint the FolkArt Watercolor Gelz in full strength without diluting, they will absolutely look amazing, there are so many great ways to use this paint.

I'm excited to try this paint on watercolor paper, I think it will be terrific.

Finally I painted the entire background of the wood engraved circle in my favorite turquoise color.

I love the how it completes the project with all that beautiful blue background!

This fun project is beautiful!

It was a bit time consuming though!

It took an hour and a half to engrave and then an hour and eight minutes for me to paint it completely with the FolkArt Watercolor Gelz.

I think I want to mount it to a bigger circle, add a wood bead border and spray it will some high gloss finish.

This fun project is beautiful! It was a bit time consuming though! It took an hour and a half to engrave and then an hour and eight minutes for me to paint it completely with the FolkArt Watercolor Gelz. I think I want to mount it to a bigger circle, add a wood bead border and spray it will some high gloss finish.

I love how bright and vivid it turned out!

You can see the subtle difference in the paint where it was a thinner consistency and thicker...so it has the light and dark shade values in each flower.

It's gives all the watercolor vibes.