Woodgrain Board

How to woodgrain a fondant board

Step 1 is cover a board with fondant, pretty thick and let dry for at least an hour, or more. You want it almost dry, so when you grain it it doesn't pill up.

The grain will be different because I didn't let it dry a lot, to get the demo done so I can toss the dregs of color left.

If you want the wood to appear newer rather than old, always apply the color with the grain and wipe off with the grain.

Step 2 Now, use either a woodgrain tool, or a small hairbrush with close bristles that don't have the ball thingie on them, or a hairbrush cleaner thingie. Diane Shavkin gave me this thingie. This is the first time I was able to get it to work. On the board, I used a dog grooming brush (haven't used it on the dogs yet). I used Diane's tool for the demo.

Use enough pressure to really groove the fondant, but not tear it off the board.

Step 3 OK, now use an orangewood stick to do fingernails and draw in a few knotholes and irregularities in your graining. Also, use your thumb to smooth some areas, even dampen your finger a bit to smooth it.

Take a green scrubbie thing and mash down in a couple of places to make more irregularities.

Step 4 Now, start the coloring process. I used Everclear and Americolor Gold mixed with Americolor lemon yellow, mixed. I didn't use a lot, about stain consistency.

I applied it with a small sponge paint brush. Go across the grain not with the grain.

Step 5 Now take a papertowel and wipe the color off against the grain.

Step 6 Since I wanted either a pine or oak wood, I repeated the yellow stain. Leave on a few seconds then wipe off again.

Step 7 Now, use Americolor Warm Brown mixed with Everclear. Apply the same way, against the grain, not with it.

Step 8 OK, wipe off the color with a papertowel again. I left this on for about 15 seconds.

Step 9 Now, I mixed Americolor Chocolate Brown with Everclear. Paint it on. It will look green, don't freak out, it's OK. Leave it on for a few seconds or so, depending on how dark you want your wood color.

Step 10 Wipe it off with a papertowel, against the grain again.

Step 11 OK, re-apply the chocolate brown mix WITH THE GRAIN and leave on a few seconds. Wipe off with a papertowel, THIS TIME WITH THE GRAIN.

Step 12 compare 1st board & demo

Here's a comparison. I overbrushed yellow on the demo board to show how you can change the wood color with your final stain color.

Note from Author:

A medium to higher grade Vodka can be used in place of Everclear. Don't use a charcoal based alcohol though. Take a look at the wood you want to copy. Different woods have different grains that make them unique. Most woods are a combination of yellow, brown, and ivory. Pine is basically yellow. Oak has more brown and ivory.

Mesquite is ivory and burgandy. Zebra wood is ivory and black. Maple is brown, yellow, wine and ivory. Start with the main color in the wood and apply it very thinly. Multiple layers are best and give the best depth. Don't go for uniformity. Wood grain is a mass of irregularity.

Dings are good in wood. Don't be afraid to experiment.