WAGARA Decorative Painting (Japanese Style)

Apply texture paste on the wood surface in WAGARA painting. It will make the surface look like kimono texture. You can buy texture paste at a nearby craft shop or online shop. Please follow the direction of the texture paste which you buy. It takes time to dry the paste. The paste should be dry completely before you paint on it.

Do not take a lot of amount of paint at a time. Paint thin layer, dry well and paint again. Please change the brush size according to the area you paint. I recommend you to use flat brushes to basecoat. You can use a round brush for small area.

Side-loading is the most useful but the most difficult technique of decorative painting. Take the darker color than the base color for shading, and take the lighter color for highlighting. By applying shade and highlight to the object, it will look like three dimensional.

Please practice side-loading many times. It is difficult, but you can master as you practice. I recommend you to use a mop to shade or highlight a large area. Mop is a nice tool. Please watch the movie and learn how to use a mop.

Some students say 'lining is difficult'. If the brush contains too much water, the line will be watery and thin. If the brush doesn't have enough water, you can not draw a long and solid line. Then how much water?? You will know as you practice. I prefer to use a very thin brush, which is called script brush. #0 liner brush is also useful.

Strokes might be difficult, but it is fun. You should use a clean and nice round brush to make beautiful strokes. Press and draw. If the head is not round, please turn the brush a little bit and try again. When you make a stroke with a flat brush, the direction to draw is important. Please watch the movie and check the direction to draw. Once you master how to draw strokes, you can enjoy strokes.

There are various types of stencil sheets. If you use a thick stencil sheet, it will last long but it is hard to cut. Please be careful to cut a thick sheet. If you find a punch of flower shape, you are lucky. You can use it for cherry blossoms or plum blossoms.

The sponge brush should be dry when you stencil. Put some paint on the sponge brush and pound it on a pallet several times. First you should stipple lightly and see how it looks. Stipple more if you need. You should prepare several brushes for different colors. If you like to wash and use the brush again, you should dry the sponge very well.