Saturday, January 31, 2009

The Best Method to Dry Gourds

By Greg

Gourd painting is lapped up today as a well celebrated art form. Gourds can be painted and wood burned depending upon the skill of the worker. Today, gourd painting is quite well received and hence it is resulting in mass customization. Few gourd painters would vouch how they were initiated into gourd painting as the agricultural harvest had been high and they had no means to dispose off the gourd except throwing them away.

Gourd art is the style used for painting on dried gourd shells. Pointillism is the technique implied. It deals with making drills on the gourd surface. A gourd surface can be sanded, wood burned, dyed or polished according to the whims of a maker. Asia and Africa have followed gourd painting passionately since long. Presently gourd art is also being adapted in western culture, America being completely in love with it. Gourd carving is the natural form of carving. Gourd carving is natural process of hand carving today. The old art form has changed its orientation completely.

Today, gourd surfaces can be worked on by electrical wood burners. It gives the burners a scientific touch. This is like the true union of art and science. Today, as technology has touched gourd painting, the old art form, it has been given a lot of coverage through galleries and magazines. Internet has also widespread the use of gourd art. It was not the practice earlier. Gourd art forums are another novel way of expanding participation in gourd art. Pointed pencils are often being used for drilling gourd surfaces.

Using pyroengraving, weaving and natural adornments, the gourds are crafted into masks, wallets, bowls, vases, and many other objects. It is recommended to use gloves while you paint the gourds. The idea is to keep oneself absolutely free of gourd stains. It must be remembered that dyes must be chosen with a lot of care for it to last on the surface. Dyes work quite quickly though. Alcohol base dye for gourd art and particularly painted gourds are considered quite above par.

Alcohol base dyes dry with a great pace. Moreover, they also cover a greater surface area. Oil and acrylic medium are both very special for painted gourds. Yes, it is important to select the paintbrushes with a lot of caution. If you have a smaller yet more precise area to paint then fine brushes shall be used. For painting a bigger area, use wide brushes.

Gourds can be of a different make. Few can have soft skin while others may be very coarse. Depending on this, a gourd might need one or two coats for proper coloration. Gourds, when hard shelled and organic, are also utilized for the purpose of making baskets and musical instruments. Birdhouses can be made from acrylic paints running through translucent mediums. Even well-crafted bowls and top-selling dippers can be crafted through the acrylic medium.

If you want to know how to dry gourds and dry them well, first you should let nature do its bit. Harvest gourds at season end and then eliminate extra soil at the end. Further, you should keep the gourds hung up in a dingy area. It should be well-ventilated though. Remove 10 percent bleach solution for removing molds of gourd. It is ready for use once air begins to resonate inside it. - 2361

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