Reality Daydream

The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

Magnolia Bloom Stained Art

by

Ooo ooo oooooo! I have a new stained project for you today! With the craziness of this past year and the new house, I haven’t had much time to throw around stain on my favorite canvas… WOOD! But Della’s school was having an event with a raffle, and they asked if I’d like to donate anything for the raffle. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to carve out some time for my art. And I had the perfect little piece of furniture to use. I snagged this little end table at a yard sale awhile back for 50 cents!

Since this is such a small piece, I opted to sand the finish off rather than strip it. Mostly because my orbital sander was accessible, and all my stripping tools are packed in a box somewhere. I used 80 grit to completely remove the seal and stain, and then went to 120 and ended with 220 for a super smooth finish. Do you like my accidental yin-yang?!

Look at that raw. beautiful wood grain!

I wanted to try staining a flower that I hadn’t done before. But I also didn’t want to get too crazy and experiment on something that’s going to be raffled off. So I decided to go with a magnolia flower! They’re so pretty, yet simple and classic!

I found an image of a magnolia online. If you were staining a piece to sell, I would ask permission to use the image as inspiration. But since I’m not making any money off this thing, I’m not worrying about it.

After printing the image, I put a transparency over it and traced the flower on. My thin sharpies are all packed, so I used a basic pen. It’ll do.

 

I laid the little end table on its side, and used my overhead projector to project the image of the magnolia onto the end table. You can move the table closer or further away to make the flower just the size you want. Then trace with a pencil!

Time to get staining!

This isn’t going to be a step-by-step staining tutorial. I didn’t even make a video. but I wanted to share the process! You can always refer to this post, or this beginner staining technique post.

I used the pic of the magnolia flower to take note of where the deep shadows are, and put the stain on heavy in those spots. I left the lighter spots completely unstained.

I used a cheap little stencil brush to blot on the stamens (is that what they’re called?), and I love how organic it looks. I couldn’t have pulled that off with just my finger and a cloth!

I loved the natural hues of it just as it is. I added a little black in the darkest of shadows to add even more depth and contrast. And stained the rest of the table solid brown. But I didn’t like how it was difficult to differentiate between the leaves and the petals of the flower.

So I decided to add a little green to the leaves. And some more shadows around the perimeter of the flower.

I love how it turned out so much!

I know some of you will wish that I had added the pink to the petals, but I really liked the idea of it being a white magnolia flower. And since it’s going to be for a raffle, I didn’t want it to be tooooo girly.

I painted the base of the table a glossy gray, but totally forgot to take a pic of the whole thing finished. So you’ll just have to picture it in your little noggin.

Be sure to check out our other ‘stained art‘ projects below!

Artwork on furniture using wood stain {Sawdust and Embryos} Wood Stain Artwork {Sawdust and Embryos}
Artwork using Wood Stain {Sawdust and Embryos}_thumb Shading with Stain {Gradual Staining Technique by Sawdust and Embryos}_thumb
Dining table with succulents stained on top! {Sawdust and Embryos} End-table-using-Wood-Stained-Artwork-technique-by-Sawdust-and-Embryos_thumb
Shading-with-Stain-Sawdust-and-Embryos1 Artwork-using-wood-stain...-its-easier-than-it-looks-Sawdust-and-Embryos

Thanks for pinning!

 

 

 

Related:

Comments

  1. 16

    I am so impressed! Love the suggestion of color and what’s not to love about magnolias?!

    Have you tried your creative staining on hardwood floors? The hub-a-dub and I have been renovating a neo-Victorian and I don’t want to sand down the original hardwoods. I would much rather camouflage the damage with artful staining. I would be so grateful for any suggestions.

    Reply
  2. 17

    Thank you so much for your information
    I have been wanting to try this
    You did an awesome job!

    Reply
  3. 18

    That is beautiful!! I love it!! I really wished I hadn’t seen it tho…because right now I’m looking for a small table or piece of wood so I can try to do that! And I already own 1/4 of Hobby Lobby!! Jk Lol I ought to tho as much as I’ve spent there. ??
    My grandson came home one day and said..”Nana you have a problem with that pinterest stuff.” I just looked at him ? ??? You do beautiful work!!

    Reply
  4. 19

    So, I’m having a hard time finding a green stain for the leaves. The only green I can find is a water based stain but I’ve already used oil based for the flower shading. Any suggestions? Thanks!!!

    Reply
  5. 21

    I love the stained art on wood and have plans to try it out myself! I wanted to do it on a barnwood door (new wood not old) that’s pine and loved the contrast idea of dark walnut for staining over the light pine, but was wondering about the rest of the door, and how it should be stained? I figured all the wood should be stained before sealed so should I do a light stain over the whole door then do the stain art with the dark stain over it? It seems you shade to cover most of the area and use the same stain to do the rest of the wood, but I am looking for the contrast of light and dark. Also thinking of using some of that colorful unicorn spit colors to make some of it pop a bit in color, should I add that after the main shading? Thanks for the help, noone at the hardware store had much to go on!

    Reply
    • 22

      Hey Melissa! You don’t need to stain wood before sealing, so the portions of the barnwood door that don’t have any stained design on it can just be left alone, and you can seal the whole thing! Yes, I would do the main design (and make sure it’s completely dry) before adding pops of color or contrast with Unicorn Spit. And be sure to seal with oil-based poly. Hope this helps! Pleeeeease send me pics when you’re done! beth@realitydaydream.com

      Reply
  7. 24

    That is lovely! What an original table for someone to enjoy. I so enjoy your creativity and can do attitude.
    I am looking forward to all the changes you will show us of your new “old” house.

    Reply
  10. 27

    Wow!
    You’ve inspired quite a swirl of activity in my ol’ noggin — hopefully resulting in something wonderful soon.
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Attention: Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your project site. Reality Daydream has made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions of the plans on this website. Reality Daydream will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.