How should I paint wooden dollhouse furniture?

[milkykitten]

I'm new to miniatures and I recently bought a small dresser from Hobby Lobby. It's unfinished wood and I've already sanded it so it's smooth, but I'm not sure how I should go about painting it. I have a design in mind, but I haven't seen any tutorials with step-by-step instructions. Should I use primer or sealer before painting? And what kind of paint should I use?

If it helps, this is what I got and this is a picture of my dresser after it was sanded.

If you could include brands of paints or any sealers I should use as well, that would help a lot. This is my first time painting anything and I want to do it properly. Thank you!

[KathieB]

Alexander, there's really not one proper way to paint furniture or anything else. Some of us use leftover real-house paint on our miniatures. Others do a first coat of gesso. Some use wood stain pens (like felt markers) for a natural wood look. I'd recommend using water based craft paints for the variety of colors available and easy cleanup.

No matter what you use, plan to put on a couple of thin coats rather than a single thick coat. The first coat will raise little fibers in the wood, even though you've sanded it so beautifully. Let it dry completely, then give it a light sanding to remove them. The second coat will go on smoothly.

[Sable]

The craft paint does not have a sheen, you may want to put a satin or gloss sealer on after following Kathie's steps.

[milkykitten]

Thank you for the tips!! I'll look for these things next time I go to the craft store. :0

[havanaholly]

Alexander, I prefer to stain my furniture, but I did paint the 1:24 items in my Mexican house. I use any flt white interior latex paint for a primer and I use acrylic paints straight from the tube and mix my own colors.

[moonstorm]

I've started using Annie Sloan chalk paint with the wax but I've just been reading about the wood stain pens so going to try getting some

[Marysuewashere]

I love chalk paint. The finish is hard to describe, but very likeable.