How to Paint Puppies on Furniture
A beautiful piece of painted furniture adds life to any room and can become the focal point of your decor. Painting an old piece of furniture with an original motif can restore it to its original luster. Puppies are one option when considering a design or pattern to paint. Use a piece of furniture painted with puppies in a child's room or nursery, or give it to a dog lover as a gift.
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Things You'll Need
- Coarse-grit sandpaper
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Tack cloth
- Water-based varnish
- Sponge brush
- Latex paint (optional)
- Acrylic paint
- Large paintbrush
- Tracing paper
- Graphite paper
- Stylus
- Flat brush
- Fan brush (optional)
- Fur brush (optional)
- Black acrylic paint
- Liner brush
- White acrylic paint
- Dry brush
- Paper towel
- Water-based polyurethane
Instructions
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Sand the piece of furniture to be painted with coarse-grit sandpaper. Follow with fine-grit sandpaper for a smooth finish. Remove all dust and debris with a tack cloth. Apply two coats of water-based varnish to the furniture with a sponge brush. Allow the varnish to dry.
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Paint the furniture a solid color of your choice with a latex or acrylic paint and a large paintbrush. Alternatively, leave the wood bare for a natural-looking finish. Allow paint to dry according to the manufacturer's specifications.
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Obtain a picture or pattern of puppies and trace the image onto a piece of tracing paper. Place a piece of graphite paper face down on the area of the furniture where you would like the puppies to be depicted. Tape the graphite paper in place. Lay the tracing paper with the image of the puppies over the top of the graphite paper. Secure it in place with tape. Trace over the image with a stylus, applying firm, even pressure. When the papers are lifted, the image of the puppies will be visible on the furniture.
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Use a flat brush and acrylic paint to base-coat the puppies in a color of your choice. This will vary depending on the breed of puppies you have chosen to paint. Apply two coats, allowing each to dry thoroughly. Use an acrylic paint in a shade lighter than the base color to create realistic fur. Use a fan brush or fur brush and apply the paint to the tips of the brush. Lightly apply the paint in a sweeping motion to create the look of fur. You can purchase a fan brush or a fur brush at craft stores and hobby shops.
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Add details to the puppies. Paint the eyes, nose and mouth of the puppies with black acrylic paint and a liner brush. Reference a picture of puppies to ensure accuracy when painting. Paint small shines on the noses of the puppies with white acrylic paint. Select paint in a darker shade of the same color family as the puppies' fur. Apply the paint to a dry brush; remove any excess paint with a paper towel. Press the paint into the areas where shadows would naturally fall and definition is required. A dry brush will maintain the look of fur while adding depth and dimension to the puppies. Allow the paint to dry.
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Apply two coats of water-based polyurethane to the furniture, using a large paint brush. Allow the polyurethane to dry according to the manufacturer's specifications.
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Tips & Warnings
Always paint in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhalation of toxic fumes.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
