Painted birch bark is one of the original types of folk art. In different regions of Russia, their own, special, methods of painting birch bark products. Today, birch bark tueski and dishes are most often painted. Traditionally, red, yellow, less often green, brown, blue or blue colors are used in painting.
The shape and purpose of the painted product determines the composition of the painting. Basically, floral motifs are taken for painting: flowers, leaves, floral ornament. As in wood painting, a small amount of paint is used here. The main role is played by the background color, on which the brightness of the painting depends.
Before painting, the surface of the birch bark product in the places selected for painting must be primed. The primer is made with a mixture of chalk with wood glue. (The primer solution is adjusted to a thick sour cream.) The primer is applied in a thin layer on the outer surface, carefully smoothed near the recesses. To do this, you need a small spatula or spatula. After that, the birch bark product is dried at room temperature 18–20 ° С for 6–8 hours, and then peeled with a fine sandpaper or pumice to keep the surface level. This is followed by the process of staining with white, first liquid, then more thick, and drying. Then the birch bark product is painted and varnished. Birch bark should be varnished 2 times, drying each time during the day.
Of the paints, tempera or gouache is usually used for painting on birch bark, and varnishes - oil varnishes are used for fixing.
Brushes for painting and varnishing need squirrel No. 10-16, two or three pieces. And for painting - squirrel or core No. 1-3, three or four pieces, according to the number of colors.