Painting my bedside tables

[@RichardMerrill3Hawk]

I was never interested in painting furniture, but your Japanese-like design on the black is just graceful beauty! The color choices, leaving the gray-brown color between the petals -- if that's your first furniture painting, you're already an expert. Your work is always meticulous, but not too much, just enough for grace, but not enough to look machine-made. Thank you for sharing your work!

[@GillisBjork]

Many thanks! I've been painting (casually) all my life, not specifically furniture, but it's the same principles :)

[@luvdub1]

Hey Gillis. I haven't watched the entire series, but wanted to give you some engagement points. The end product looks amazing and (being a long time fan) I know the crazy amount of work and thought you put into these projects. Thanks for sharing! I always learn a lot from you.

[@ricos1497]

Well, I grudgingly accept that I was wrong about your heinous decision to paint such a beautifully crafted set of tables. A stunning result, and done in a considerate manner. Top marks for the explanation of the painting in terms of colours used where, when and why. I've done a few carvings that I've painted, and depth of colour isn't something I'm too hot on (as I'm not really a great artist or drawer!), so this type of simple explanation really helps. Thank you sir, for your creativity.

[@GillisBjork]

Thank you Rico, I’m very happy you found the explanations helpful and liked the results!

[@russellfranken3662]

Yet again, a most excellent piece. Love your work.

[@GillisBjork]

Thank you very much!

[@pinkiebrain7597]

It takes courage to create a painting on a piece of furniture that took so many hours to make. I wasn't sure at the beginning, but in the end I like it a lot. And I Iike your kind of humour very much. Funny. 🙃

[@GillisBjork]

Thank you! In this case I built them with paint in mind from the beginning, so that makes it easier!

[@josephpotterf9459]

Thanks Gillis always a good video keep on making .

[@GillisBjork]

Thanks for the support, Joseph!

[@MASI_forging]

Such talent and skill. You did a great work. 😍😍

[@GillisBjork]

Many thanks!

[@CreativeCarpentry]

Your art (painting) skills and knowledge are impressive! When i saw the video title i was a bit sceptical thinking paint would not add anything rather detract from the natural looking finish. As soon as you started talking I could tell you knew a lot about what you were doing as you layered on the colours and the branches came to life .

[@GillisBjork]

Many thanks! I totally understand the scepticism, glad you liked it in the end!

[@walterplummer3808]

Very nice! Looking forward to see what tools you are going to make. Thanks for the videos.

[@GillisBjork]

Thanks Walter, I hope you’ll find them interesting!

[@harrymark6748]

That looks amazing Gillis!

[@GillisBjork]

Thanks Harry!

[@jimscheltens2647]

Glad you covered finish/paint in detail. I have the most trouble with that part of woodworking (probably because it is the least enjoyable part for me).

[@GillisBjork]

Thanks Jim! I agree to be honest, finishing always feels a little bit like a chore!

[@pwman]

Beautiful work! Woodworker and painter! Can’t wait to see what’s next! 🙏🏼☺️🙏🏼

[@GillisBjork]

Many thanks!

[@paolo_galassi]

I'm certainly not an expert woodworker, but I heard in some videos about to apply coats of whatever primer/varnish/paint on both sides of wood, in order to prevent uneven moisture absortion and possibly wood movements. But even in such a beauty of furniture you didn't make it. That's interesting to me. Anyhow, you made two exquisite pieces. They'd fit so well in my modern-style bedroom! I appreciated the whole series as your videos are always very informative and pleasant to watch. Thank you for sharing!

[@GillisBjork]

Thank you very much, I’m glad you like them! You bring up a good question. One can never fully prevent wood movement; shrinkage/expansion will always happen no matter what, but uneven absorption can indeed lead to more extreme warping. And warp can be prevented. My understanding is that both side application of finish is more important for pieces that aren’t braced enough to physically restrict the warping, such as large tabletops with minimal structure underneath. In things like these bedside tables, the various components hold each other flat, while allowing shrinkage where needed. I try to design that way, because I don’t trust only a finish on both sides to hold wide panels flat over a long time. I hope that helps!

[@paolo_galassi]

@@GillisBjork Yes, that makes a lot of sense.

[@TheRaven0811]

That was different, especially from a woodworker. I think before seeing this, I wouldn't have been likely to paint furniture, but it's something to consider. Great video! Looking forward to the next one.

[@GillisBjork]

Glad you liked the video, it's not something I do often either!

[@MCsCreations]

Really beautiful artwork, dude! It turned out incredible! 😃 And I don't usually like painted wood! Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@GillisBjork]

Many thanks! It's not for everyone, but I'm happy you liked it this time!

[@jacobolsson1405]

Amazing!

[@GillisBjork]

Thank you!

[@mcross681]

Artwork indeed, start to finish!! Have you ever heard of “A Bronx Tale?” Great American movie with an analogous reference.. If she ever reaches over and puts a beverage on one of those magnificent pieces without a coaster, you kick her her out and never look back, no questions asked!!! 😂

[@GillisBjork]

Many thanks! I haven't seen that one, sorry! But that's one good thing about acrylic paint, it's a super robust finish, so no need to kick anyone out ;)

[@piffwhiffle]

marvelous

[@GillisBjork]

Thank you!

[@cindyharrison4191]

Wow 👏

[@GillisBjork]

Thanks!

[@hanssonkent]

Wow, really nice tables and the videos of you making them were also well made and interesting. Thanks!

[@GillisBjork]

Thank you so much!

[@flol4570]

It s a match :) The painting looks great on the pieces and the video was calming and interesting to watch as usual. I liked the description of your painting and the approach to shading/lighting in particular. Easy to understand, all necessary facts delivered.

[@GillisBjork]

Many thanks, very happy to hear that!

[@dpmeyer4867]

nice job

[@GillisBjork]

Thank you!

[@hansjoinery]

Nice work. I never Color up my Products, just do wax coat only, and that cost much much time on chosen woods.

[@GillisBjork]

Thanks! Indeed, transparent finishes are much more demanding, in many ways!

[@oih1969]

That is an attractive set. Must admit I was sceptical about the flower decor (being a design-from-function personality), but it's so well executed, I'd be proud to own something like that. The shellack primer; does it deteriorate over time? Been using commercial (water- and oil based ) available products for priming wood. Usually walls and ceilings, but for whenever my wife decides to buy unfinished pine furniture that she wants to add a finish to, this shellack option might be worth a try? Adds less volume perhaps?

[@GillisBjork]

Thank you very much! The shellac does deteriorate when you store it mixed, goes sort if grainy after a few months, so I tend to mix small batches. If you mean after application, not that I’m aware of! It is easily damaged by water though, so if not covering it with paint, I would put wax on top.

[@matthew4878]

I made a shelf out of scrap plywood I had laying around. I used some bondo to fill the defects and then I sealed with shellac (diluted with acetone I think). After I painted it green it developed these yellow stains. Any idea what could have caused that? Was that the sap bleeding through?

[@GillisBjork]

Hmm, I'm not sure! The shellac should stop the sap, but acetone is not the traditional solvent for shellac, it should be denatured alcohol (ethanol), so I don't know how that might have affected things. Also not familiar with the contents of bondo, might be something in that which bled through, possibly in combination with the acetone?