Painting wood

[boubi]

To all experimented painters, i have a constant difficulty in order to paint wood correctly. I read some documentation about it and any flat surface it is pretty well covered (wood plank, floor, shields, ...) but to paint regular and irregular wood cylinder (wood stick, wood bar, ...) i met some difficulties.

Which colors do you use?
How to you realize the wood effect?
How to bring the highlights?

I am quite interesting to see the answers from different painters and style. Thank you for your support...

 

[freakinacage]

Paint the base coat a browny flesh then mix in darker tones for the grain. You can streak this while still wet, but that takes some getting used to

 

[QuietiManes]

The difference with irregular shapes is how the angle of the cut (surface) changes compared to the angle of the grain (running through the wood). So the "pattern" changes along the different surfaces and also the different parts of a single surface. The colours, highlights and technique doesn't really change compared to a flat surface. The difference is how and where that grain pattern is laid out.

Find a good reference online, do a google search, for what you want to paint, or something as close as possible. Wooden column, display plinth, picture frame, etc (try to find an example where the grains are laid out in the direction you wish to paint them). Then just copy it. Pay special attention to where and how the grain changes. Note where it widens, gets thinner, changes angles or directions, etc.

 

[uglybug]

If the model has the details of wood grain already I use a quick method that can give nice results. I base coat with Vallejo model color #134, USA tan earth, then I take a watered down brown ink from Andrea. Depending how dark you want it depends on the number of coats or the dilution. Quick note the p3 brown ink has to much red in it for my tastes.

 

[boubi]

Thanks for sharing, but for example a wood pole of a standard bearer, regular surface, you just paint it in a color or bring some variations?

 

[Dragonsreach]

I've seen a number of historical standards and most have the shafts covered or coloured.
After all it's the pride of the regiment!
One thing to consider is that hands and wear change the colour, usually darkening in the area where the hands rest.