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Folk art means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Because of this, defining it is often difficult to do and understand what is and isn't is impossible. Whether you are a folk artist by history or by desire, you can come up with beautiful pieces. Wood is a popular item to paint on, from signs and boxes to inside and outside furniture. It can also be a fun project and one you can do with your children if you wish. Getting started with painting wood often has to do with how you prepare your wood for folk art painting.

Unfinished Wood.
Unfinished wood is wood that hasn't yet been used for a project. It comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, and you can even buy it already built into shapes and objects. These are great items to work with and can be a lot of fun. However, these surfaces should be prepared for the best possible results.

To begin gently sand the surface to make it smooth. Sanding should be done with medium to fine sandpaper and you should always sand with the grain of the piece so as not to damage it and leave lines in your painting. This will also help remove any dirt or dust that could have built up. Using a damp rag clean the dust off and wipe clean. Allow to dry if need be. Begin your project with a sealer or primer. This will make sure the wood won't absorb your paints (particularly important if working with soft wood).

If you desire to have the piece look older then it is (after all, it is freshly painted). Then you can distress the piece after you have painted it. This can be done by painting it a solid color and then sanding parts of that color off. Use a scraper to make sure there aren't any loose pieces of paint and wash it clean of dust (from the sanding process) and loose paint. Prime any large spots of wood that show through and then paint your design on top for an older looking piece.

Finished Wood.
Whether you have picked out an old painted box or a piece of furniture from a flea market, painting on old finished wood has a great amount of appeal in the folk art process. Of course, to get a good finish on an older piece it is important to prepare the wood for taking new paint. Begin by cleaning your item. This should be done with mild detergent (such as dish soap) and a rag. Then rinse it clean. Let it dry. You should then remove the surface of the item. Often an item has been varnished or waxed. To get rid of this surface use turpentine and light steal wool to gently scrub it away. It is important to clean the surface a second time.

At this time you can seal the wood with sealer or primer and begin your project. You could also sand the piece (start with a medium to fine sand paper and work with the grain instead of across the grain). This will give it a newer look which may or may not be desirable. After sanding, rinse away the bits of paint and particles created in sanding and then begin with sealing or priming the piece.

Folk art is a great past time, an excellent way to decorate a country home, and even a great way to make gifts or sale items. Have fun with it and try new things. While these methods are standard, you are the artist and can do other things to prepare your wood. Just remember that a sealer or primer stops the wood from absorbing paint and helps the paint adhere to surfaces it normally wouldn't and try new things for new looks!

Learn more about this author, Danelle Karth.
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