COLOUR by NUMBERS - spalted beech woodturning project

Colour by Numbers - In this video a spalted beech bowl gets a colourful makeover. You may have seen many people turn spalted beech bowl before but I bet you have not seen anyone do this, although there is probably a good reason no one has done it before but I'll let you decide.
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DISCLAIMER :
All of my videos are designed to be entertainment only. Please follow all required safety measures when using tools or machinery and always read and understand the manufacturer's guidelines and safety instructions.
The methods I demonstrate are not to be used as a guide for best practice. Thanks

[@philgallagher1]

I am firmly in the "YES" camp on this one, Mike! Really impressive use of colour to exaggerate the differences in the natural shading of spalted wood. Normally the difference can be quite subtle, but in this way you really show the beauty that lies inside the wood. I agree that this is a "Marmite" experiment but I think you have succeeded in proving your point!! Thank you for sharing this one, Mike!!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Phil, and I'm glad you are in the yes came with me 😀

[@jasonmontgomery8180]

I have alot of customers that want colorful projects and they would love this! Good job.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Jason 😀

[@raydriver7300]

Mike, you have more patience than a hospital and that is a great job.🌞

[@MikeHolton]

Haha, thanks Ray. I have two hormonal teenage daughters so I'm happy to take as long as it needs. 😅

[@sueze3300]

When you started painting the bowl I thought What is he doing and them as I watched it was like magic, what a amazing and beautiful piece you made. I love it.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much 😀

[@walshjp17]

Wasn't sure I would like at first, but after seeing the finished bowl, I'm growing fond of it.

[@MikeHolton]

Haha, it's like mould, it grows on you 😀

[@TournageDubois]

That little face in the side made me smile! Great piece!

[@MikeHolton]

Haha, me too 😀

[@brendameader6937]

I love it! I think you crossed lines that others don't want to invest the time to do. Thank you for sharing and I look forward to more!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Brenda, I just want to have fun 😀

[@adventureswithgrumpyjim1089]

What a great piece of spalted beech. Love the colours especially the added colours. Really added to the project.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much and thanks for watching, all the best, Mike

[@thehampshirewoodturner]

Back on the money with this one mike, i love it, love the colours and love the originality of it. I do find it odd that people can have such strong views about putting dyes on wood particularly spalted wood

[@MikeHolton]

Haha I knew and I fully expected some negative comments. But design is subjective so every point of view is valid. In other words, it's all good 😊

[@Ted_P]

I like it. The colors did come out more bold than I thought they would.

[@MikeHolton]

I know! I thought the yellow would be a bit dull then all of a sudden BAM"

[@lornacy]

I liked the way you matched the colors from the bottom to the inside. "No, really, it just grew that way!" Which also brings up, a person could use this to mimic expensive exotics if they were so inclined. One of the (many) really delightful things about your art is how inspiring it is to others!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much 😊. You could certainly mimic other woods with this!

[@sandracook455]

I love it. It reminds me of a tropical sunset. Great job!!!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Sandra

[@therilyncobrin2372]

"that's incredible, and I'm going to do horrible things to it hehe" I adore your approach, having fun and learning on the way. you have a very conversational method that makes it so fun to watch.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much, that's so nice of you to say 😌

[@nicholaskrest]

Beach ball Beech bowl!! Wouldn’t be my first choice of artistic creation, but hey… This works! Creative as ever. As expansive a thinking as ever. Thanks again Mike.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Nicholas, I get these ideas in my head and the only way to get rid of them is to do it 😊

[@jplwoodworks]

Definitely fun to watch. I'm not a bing fan of coloring wood quite like that but it wasn't bad. Just not my cup of tea. The important thing is that you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks my friend, you have to try otherwise you just don't know, all the best, Mike

[@williamweaver4946]

Very nice concept for a beautiful piece of spalted wood. It really does look like one of those paint by numbers with the dark outlines. Great job as always Mike.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much William 😊

[@LOTGiscool]

Don't know how I missed this video, but it was here with other KZbin vids as I lay this day to rest, April 24, 2024. Such a unique bowl.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much, this one was a lot of fun 😀

[@DougMilleratWoodSpunRound]

Fun piece. Very playful. I’m sure it’s not for everyone. In fact, it wouldn’t fit in my home decor. However, I’m just as sure there are people who live this type of coloring and will buy it about as quickly as it’s made available. You did a great job with it. Super Bowl!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Doug, I knew it would divide opinion before I started but I'm ok with that. There is a place for everything, but not for this bowl in my house, according to my wife 😆

[@DaveGDesigns]

Nice job Mike I really like the difference in this piece so much better than the usual round and brown. A few weeks back I turned a Viking inspired goblet with a captive ring and coloured it using the Nick Agar metal paints with aging solution that makes the iron rust and the copper turn to verdigris and people lost their mind that I used spalted beech 😂

[@MikeHolton]

Haha they certainly don't like you messing with spalted wood. Your piece sounds amazing, I know the effect you talk about and have yet to try it. Colouring is not really my thing but I di want to get into it more. All the best, Mike

[@nanalefevre3670]

Well, this is the first piece I haven't fallen in love with, but it IS pretty & fun to look at. Enjoyed watching!

[@MikeHolton]

Haha I quite understand Nana, I'm not sure I like it 😃

[@jamestepesh355]

I'm usually a traditionalist but i think that works great with the coloured stains very artistic love it

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks James, it reminds me of a particular art style but I really can put a name to it, it will come to me.

[@rustyzx9562]

This piece ended up looking kind of cell shaded and super cool like a cartoon, sort of borderlands style. I really like how things turned out!!! Worked out really cool with the grain and spalting as well.

[@MikeHolton]

Hi Rusty, I know just what you mean, not played Borderlands in ages! 😀

[@tracybranham8648]

I really like the character of the soft wood. Pretty bowl...

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Tracy 😀

[@TishaHayes]

It would make a fantastic candy dish as a centerpiece on a table. I think it looks charming.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Tisha 😀, not a bad idea, thanks again 🙂

[@kencross25]

Mike, you are an inspiration to us all and a joy to watch your workmanship and as always thank you for sharing your talent with us.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Ken, you're very welcome 😁

[@82ndairbornevet]

Mike, the large patterns on this wood are very cool and that was a very novel idea to paint them different colors. Turned out beautifully!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much 😀

[@felocarp]

What a intriguing idea, Mike! I mean that in a very good way. There is an absolute place for more whimsical expressions in woodturning. it is art. I'm just beginning to allow myself to explore it and really love it. I really like the creativity you showed with this bowl. Well done. Thanks!

[@MikeHolton]

Many thanks! I love to experiment and try new things, if it fails that's fine but you never know till you try. As someone once said, the brain is like a parachute, it only works when it's open 😊

[@stephencarey6114]

Absolutely love spalted beech

[@MikeHolton]

It can be amazing 😀

[@klee6024]

Well Sir, I didn't think I was going to like the paint portion, as I love the finished spalted wood. However, it turned out to be a beautiful bowl, quite different, but still classy in appearance. Great Job!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much! This one has divided views but I really did not expect anything else 😀

[@simon54131]

Amazing way to lift an amazing piece even higher, love it.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Simon 😀

[@elizabethgonzalves4959]

I love the little face on the side and the colors turned out quite nice. Well done!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Elizabeth 😊

[@k9insomniac783]

This is something I’ve been playing around with as well. I’ve not used the stain yet, mainly just the alcohol inks. What a beautiful bowl. Art is subjective, and I know it may not be for everybody, but as the ones that makes these pieces , it’s up to us to explore and come up with new ideas. I love it personally.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Shawn, you hit the nail on the head there, ac creative people we need to be able to experiment and try new things, if we don't we become stale and repetitive. All the best, Mike

[@stephenwilliams163]

Some of the first wood I ever had for turning was a carload of spalted maple I got for free off of craigslist. It was beautiful but so soft. When you stopped the lathe and said "this wood is horrible!" I felt it in my bones.

[@MikeHolton]

Haha, yeah, it happens, Spalting is nice but only if you catch the wood in time before it goes too far.

[@jimmoorepa]

Fine line between spalted and rotted wood. Just did a bowl that was too spalted ash. Fine looking piece and good video.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks James, I have turned a few that had just gone too far, it's a fine line.

[@user-zh7bd3it1n]

Mike really like the colors. Rather subtle.

[@MikeHolton]

Haha thanks 😀

[@rickjarosz3704]

Interesting bowl there, Mike! You'll definitely be able to spot it among a stack of wood bowls! Cheers!

[@MikeHolton]

Haha, well yes it may stand out a bit 😂, all the best, Mike

[@lyndaowen2154]

Oh, I like it! I think the colors work well together it just turned out really pretty.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! 😊

[@kristikey8320]

I think that coloring a plain piece of wood could enhance the interest of the bowl. The spalting of the original wood grain was beautiful enough to stand on it's own.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Kirsti, and you are right of course, but this is something I wanted to try, all the best, Mike

[@wesleyowens2460]

This is a very beautiful and creative piece. I love it. Wonderful job. You definitely give me great ideas and watching your videos I have learned lot. Thank you!

[@MikeHolton]

I'm so glad Wesley and thanks so much for your support 😃

[@katm6]

I am very firmly in the camp of not painting wood, especially a gorgeous spalted piece like that. You made my heart hurt, but it is art and you need to do what feels right to you. I'm going to go weep in the corner now. 😂

[@MikeHolton]

Haha, that is fine, I know it's not for everyone 😂, don't cry for too long you have a lot more videos to watch 😂

[@karengilchrist9774]

I like it! I especially like the yellow, it's so bright! Good job!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you Karen! That yellow gave me a shock, did not expect it to be quite that bright lol 😀

[@oldguyinstanton]

Thought I'd hate it, but I love it.

[@MikeHolton]

Haha thanks 😁

[@c.a.chambers68]

just found this video - such a fun one too! The fact you used stains not paint (+ spirit stains are the best - use them a lot in my work) worked brilliantly by not hiding the spalting (another reason I use them on carvings). I find it easier to pour them into little plastic shot cups so I can pour it back into the bottle and not waste so much along the way if that helps. Anyway the finished bowl is awesome I absolutely love what you’ve done there. 😊

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much and thanks for the tip, I have a few of those little pots so will give it a go

[@AmbrosiaR]

It's fun to play around with colors!

[@MikeHolton]

It is indeed 😀

[@user-jh7ji3lq3c]

Reminds me of sandstone how sandstone wears away with the elements. A US southwest feel. Good experiment that deserves a bit more delving into the many possibilities!

[@MikeHolton]

I completely agree about the wearing down 😀 many thanks, Mike

[@monicalaurents4163]

Beautiful imagination, I love this bowl. I would love to see it with a high gloss finish.

[@MikeHolton]

Hi Monica, I'm already on it, given it five coats ok gloss 🤠

[@kaseyrichards7660]

I think it’s a amazing piece and you do wonderful work

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Kasey and thanks for watching 😀

[@gluey27]

Love the colours love the bowl.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much 😀

[@danamorrow5352]

Well, it is certainly different. I don't hate it. I would not have been able to bring myself to paint that beautiful grain but it did turn it into more of an art piece than the usual wood turning. I agree that some people will probably love it. It defiantly has its own nitch. I think you did an excellent job on it. Not really my thing but that is what makes us all different.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Dana, could not have put it better myself. You will find hundreds of videos of spalted beech bowls being turned, but only one being massacred with colour by me 😆. All the best, Mike

[@judymahan5588]

Looks like Jabba the Hutt😮your limitless imagination bowls me over love the bowl

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Judy 😀

[@deidrejooste6263]

Definitely Art!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Deirdre 😁

[@petershipman7314]

Looks fantastic,a coat of clear resin top coat would make the colours pop🎉❤

[@MikeHolton]

Way ahead of you, it's had 4 coats so far 😆

[@jakes9708]

That is a cool bowl, love the idea.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks 👍

[@Tseringlhatso]

What a fun project!

[@MikeHolton]

Haha thanks, you are kind, all the best, MIke

[@jerryi9258]

Really looks good and quite unique!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Jerry 👍

[@alanbrackett4230]

Looks like a urban camo pattern. Nice job.

[@MikeHolton]

That's a good call Alan, thanks

[@user-jz2re1en8z]

Interesting - not sure myself but my daughter would love it

[@MikeHolton]

Haha, that's ok with me 😀

[@jurgenwartmann6584]

I like the idea of coloring the wood as you did. When you showed the piece in the beginning of the video I had a direct impression it was showing a sea shore. I observe you mostly hold it with the lines vertical (from your view). As for the colors I would have preferred some more natural approach - blues (sea) , yellow and brown for the shore and a bit towards green off shore. Maybe could use reds and yellow for a sunset interpretation. In the end, for such a beautiful wood, I think I would prefer it in natural colors for my part. Thank you for sharing your work here.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Jurgen for sharing your thoughts, if you have been standing next to me at the start I may have been convinced to do what you suggested 😀

[@NCGreen]

Beautiful work as always

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks again Scott 😁

[@MalaiMagruder]

My personal preference is for the spalted beech to remain in the beautiful natural state.

[@MikeHolton]

I quite understand and for the most part agree 😀

[@ruthportway5198]

I like it and it could never be exactly replicated. It would also have looked nice with just the outside painted and the inside left natural.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Ruth, this is one of those ideas that gets stuck in my head and the only way I can make it go is the try it 😀

[@EricBrennan-ci4li]

I really liked the natural contrast between dark and light, would have liked minimal colour modification. However my partner loves it, thinks it would make a good bowl for holding crystals :) Great job

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much, I know it's not for e😁

[@Ken.norwood2]

Very different but I think I like it. You did good

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! 😊

[@bevharrison8157]

Hi, not my cup of tea but I admire your wanting to give it a shot, as you say you have to try these things, certainly entertaining 😊.

[@MikeHolton]

Haha, thanks Bev, don't worry, it's out of my system now 😊

[@2CraftySeniors]

Normally I prefer wood to be wood... but the patterns on this particular piece begged to be painted. I think you did a really good job bringing out the best in this one.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much! 🙏

[@williamrice2683]

Beautiful work!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks 😀

[@Hypoluxxor]

worked out very well .. beautiful

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much 😀

[@tomswoodturningchannel482]

It's good to experiment, hats off to you ☘️ ☘️

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Tom, I love to experiment, keeps the hobby interesting and gets me out my comfort zone. 😀

[@deehenry1983]

I lov thwt you re 'branching' out with your turning :) it looks awesome and very artsy. Happy early Canada day!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! You too Dee, where in Canada are you from?

[@tomburns7544]

I love how you are always trying new things and your attitude of "we just here to have fun". I love the shape of the bowl, too. Great video, Mike! 👍

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Tom, I'm not a commercial turner and I'm not here to try and sell my work, therefore I'm free to have fun and experiment. If it works then that's great, if not then that is fine as well and we all get to learn. All the best mu friend. Mike

[@tomburns7544]

@@MikeHolton It's so fortunate that you have that freedom/lack of pressure. Having time to just play can lead one down paths that may spark some new method/technique that one would never have discovered otherwise. I'm on board to see whatever unorthodox things you try! Go, you! 👍

[@MikeHolton]

@@tomburns7544 Thanks so much, at present I'm making the 10000 subscriber giveaway bowl. If it works it will be a mixture of wood metal and stone. At present I'm about 60% sure it will work. 😄

[@stevenhawkes9471]

Mike, been watching all your video's. Real great stuff!

[@MikeHolton]

Don't go too far back, quality was no the best 😀

[@user-lj6gq3bf5w]

Hello Mike. Just watched your video of the spalted birch bowel. The coloring is inique.. i wouldn't have thought of doing that, but, the outcome is quite pleasant. Thanks again for the learning experience. I always learn something new. Wayne in Wisconsin USA

[@user-lj6gq3bf5w]

Unique not inique. Sorry.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Wayne, my main problem is that I get an idea in my head and the only way I can get rid of it is by giving it a go, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but no matter what happens I learn something and always have fun 😀

[@joanbusby3213]

Love the colors!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Joan 😀

[@CakeoftheSwamp]

Really love the idea, in my opinion it might be nice to have the inside coloured and outside natural just to add extra contrast and a little surprise pop of the colour sitting under whatever you put in it

[@MikeHolton]

That's a great idea, thanks for sharing, All the best, Mike 😀

[@79Firegirl]

Definitely something different 😊👍

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you 😆

[@michaelbuckingham716]

This is an interesting take on colouring a bowl. Certainly a conversation piece that's for sure. I've turned a couple bits of spalted beech and it's always got a surprise up it's sleeve, my last one was so out of balance my poor little lathe tried to walk out the shop when i turned it on.

[@MikeHolton]

Haha I know what you mean, the different densities of wood can have quite an effect 😀

[@davidbaxter5132]

I think it has a sort of 'ceramic' vibe. Like a previous comment, maybe using natural colours for a 'beach scene' would have been more 'natural', but then again, I deduce your experiment was not about 'natural' at all! I turned some small bowls from hawthorn (a light wood) and kept some bark inclusions, dyed the bowls with a light blue and they very much look like 'oceans and islands' with sandy beaches (well, on a good day!) Art is definitely in the eye of the beholder, and "congratulations" for producing an artistic bowl for us to discuss. I like it.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much for your thoughts David, I was certainly not going for natural. So many people have turned these spalted beech bowls and they all start to look the same. I wanted to do something completely off the wall and see how it came out.

[@LuannYoumans-ec5fc]

Very colorful, like

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks 😊

[@clarehunt3829]

Awesome colours

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@butthedd0233]

Nicely done.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@AGRIV8TD1963]

Cuts like Butter!😂

[@MikeHolton]

This one was so soft! 😀

[@karenmaverick8476]

It's pretty good, quite inventive & would be great for a catch it all bowl or a fruit bowl, l like it 😊

[@MikeHolton]

Great idea! Thanks Karen, all the best, Mike ☺️

[@dellearts]

Haha not for me, but it's super whimsical. I do love how the wood takes the color. Less like it's painted on, and more like the wood is actually that color and still shows the lovely grain patterns. The ring cover sounds like a good idea, I might need to get one! I'm not a turner myself but when I paint I tend to take my ring off so I don't scratch my paper or canvas and then completely forget to put it back on.

[@dellearts]

And yes I am bingeing your channel. You keep popping up on my KZbin feed and I can't resist to watch while I'm working away myself. haha

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks 😊, I know it's not for everyone 😂. The ring cover is great, gives me peace of mind 😁

[@heinievanjaarsveld2845]

Interesting bowl

[@MikeHolton]

Haha interesting is probably a very good word for it 😃

[@SilverBack.]

Great trial piece Mike

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks my friend 😁

[@dawnjanacek]

Lovely great idea. I do kind of wish you’d used more of the dark colors for greater contrasts. Beautiful work either way.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! 😊

[@keefermiller957]

Usually not real crazy about wood and color. But this is a very tasteful different spin on spinning lol.

[@MikeHolton]

Haha thanks Keefer, life is too short not to have a bit of fun when you can, all the best, Mike 😀

[@susanburrows5288]

An interesting idea to play with. Even finished, I'm not sure if I *like* it or not, but I can see myself trying something similar to this (if I did wood work of any kind ;) ) because it looks like *fun*.

[@MikeHolton]

Haha thanks Susan, we all need to have a bit of fun in our lives and if we don't try new things we just become boring and repetitive lol

[@keithmetcalfe3990]

Different approach to a nicely figured piece, perhaps a light sanding back to show splatting might have shown best of both worlds. Good to experiment with colours. Good job. new subscriber.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Keith, this was just a bit of fun, I have since put a few coats of gloss on and the colours really shine now! Not sure if that's a good thing 😃

[@oldcharlie5533]

I am a natural wood guy.. but it is very nice..good job.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Charlie, me too, but if you don't try new things . . .

[@gloriamccallum5447]

I do like the colors but I would also like to see that wood in a natural finish putting them side by side. Thanks for trying different ways to do the wood to see if you like it or not ❤❤❤❤

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Gloria, ill see if I can find a similar piece to try it on.

[@michaelfelixb1316]

Wie klasse👍 Das gefällt mir aber richtig gut 🤩 Sieht mal wieder wunderschön aus👌

[@MikeHolton]

Danke Michael, es ist nicht jedermanns Sache, aber ich freue mich, dass es dir gefällt.

[@cookiescoop6065]

Ok that's kewl sir have a great day ✌️

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks, you too 😀

[@missdaisy7576]

Love it!

[@MikeHolton]

Haha thanks, you are one of the few 😂

[@jefflodge3348]

Not a big fan of this weeks creation but I am a fan of you tossing stuff at the wall to see what sticks. That’s my style!

[@MikeHolton]

That is quite alright and I've not heard that saying for ages 😁 all the best, Mike

[@Aspiecrafts]

innovative and unique are some of the words that come to mind , when I think of your work. This is lovely

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks, if you like innovative then tomorrows video is for you. 😁

[@jsprankel4712]

How cool is that? Looks great Mike!

[@MikeHolton]

Haha thanks my friend, not everyone like this one which is completely fine 😀

[@helloallyouppl]

Discovered you on my ‘for you’ page and have been loving the work you do and the style of video, hope to see much more in the future!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much for your support, the format will stay the same but I'm always trying to improve, all the best, Mike

[@hedgerowe]

I loved it

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks 😊

[@dalebrittenham1823]

Interesting bowl... Not sure what I think of this.... It is surely an art project....

[@MikeHolton]

Cheers Dale, it's certainly not for everyone 😁