1. Practice on a piece of sample wood, of same type of wood to be used in your project, as different wood types may produce very different effects. If you use a variety of wood types in your craft work, then you will want to experiment on each type to see the variety of looks you can achieve.

2. The first step, is to seal the wood A vital step that has been almost illuminated in today's quick & easy work style. Use Sand & Seal, a petroleum based product. Following the manufacturers directions. This will produce the separation from the soft and hard grains of wood. The sealer will lay on top of the harder grains, and penetrate into the softer grains of wood. Allow the sealer to completely dry, then lightly sand with a piece of #200 grit sandpaper until completely smooth.

3. Now clean the sanded wood, and wipe thoroughly with a tack cloth (available in most paint supply departments) until very clean.

4. In a well ventilated area, mix the oil base paint color you have selected for your project with mineral spirits, usually a 50/50 ratio.

5. Once thoroughly mixed, apply with a China bristle brush. Apply a heavy coat , as evenly as possible, to avoid runs.

6. When working on your test sample, experiment by letting the paint stay on wood for various time limits to narrow down the actual time you will use to obtain the color you have in mind.

7. Use rags (without lint, old t-shirts work OK ) to wipe off the excess. Wipe off as evenly as possible, in the direction the wood grain runs. Let the paint dry completely.

8. Safety tip: Dispose of the rags in a sealed container, after covering the rags with water. Rags with oil based paint on them are combustible.

9. The final step is sealing the paint with an oil based polyurethane to seal the wood completely. Apply even coats with a china bristle brush. Once the first coat is dry, clean as in step #3, and sand with a new piece of #220 grit sandpaper. Repeat until you have at least three coats of sealer. Remember to use a finer-grit sandpaper for each sanding, after each additional coat.

10. By following this simple process, you can achieve a beautiful Old World Finish, in the tradition of our ancestors.