Creating DIY Artwork with Paint Inlays™ and Texture is a project that’s super satisfying when you have the right products and techniques. Lately, I’ve been loving the combination of Iron Orchid Designs (IOD) Paint Inlays™ with different texture techniques—it’s becoming one of my favorite ways to add dimension to a piece. In this post, I’m going to walk you through how to create a stunning piece of wall art using these materials. Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been at this for a while, this project is perfect for experimenting with color, texture, and creativity to make something that’s uniquely your own.
DIY Artwork with Paint Inlays™ and Texture
Creating DIY Artwork with Paint Inlays™ and Texture is a project that’s super satisfying when you have the right products and techniques. Lately, I’ve been loving the combination of Iron Orchid Designs (IOD) Paint Inlays™ with different texture techniques—it’s becoming one of my favorite ways to add dimension to a piece. In this post, I’m going to walk you through how to create a stunning piece of wall art using these materials. Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been at this for a while, this project is perfect for experimenting with color, texture, and creativity to make something that’s uniquely your own.
What Are IOD Paint Inlays™?
IOD (Iron Orchid Designs) Paint Inlays™ are an innovative way to add intricate designs to your DIY artwork. Unlike traditional transfers or decals, which sit on top of your surface, Paint Inlays™ are sheets of paper embedded with actual paint; helping you create easy DIY art for walls. When placed onto a wet surface, such as fresh paint, a topcoat, or decoupage medium, the paint transfers directly into the project, creating a beautifully embedded design.
One thing to note is that the inlay sheet has two sides: one side with grid lines and one side with the actual paint. It’s crucial to place the paint side down on the surface you’re working on. If you’ve never used these before, don’t worry—there’s time to adjust the placement before the paint starts to transfer. Intrigued? Let’s get started!
Materials Used For DIY Artwork with Paint Inlays and Texture:
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Wood Panel or Canvas
Chalk Type Paints – I used Paint Couture Chalk type paint in Farmhouse Linen
IOD Moulds Conservatory Labels
Amy Howard Pigments in Venetian Green
Amy Howard Pigments in Pompeii Grey
DIY Making Powders in Plant Lady
Palette Knife – Dollar Tree
Steps to Create DIY Artwork with Paint Inlays™ and Texture
Step 1: Paint Surface for your DIY Artwork
The first step in creating DIY artwork is to paint your surface. For this project, I used a small arched wooden plaque as my surface. I brushed on a base coat of white paint in the color Farmhouse Linen by Paint Couture, a lovely neutral color that complements the design of the paint inlay™. Once dry, I brushed on a second coat for a more even and polished finish.
Step 2: Prep Surface for Paint Inlay™ (The easy way!)
When IOD Paint Inlays™ first came out, it was recommended to lay the painted sheets down in your second coat of wet paint. So that’s what I did, for a while, but I didn’t always have the best results. Many times, wrinkles that naturally formed in the paper would show up in my paint when I removed the carrier paper. I later found out people were experimenting with using topcoats and having better results; plus you could do different paint techniques rather than just a solid color. That was a game changer! I myself started experimenting with a decoupage medium and now that’s my preferred method.
So once my paint was dry, I brushed on a coat of Paint Couture’s Decoupage Medium in Matte. Brush on a good coat of the decoupage medium—not soaking wet, but not too sparse either—just enough to cover the surface evenly. Do not allow it to dry. It’s now time to lay the Paint Inlay down.
Step 3: Lay Paint Inlay Down in Wet Surface
With the decoupage medium applied and wet, it’s time to lay down the Paint Inlay. Make sure the grid lines are facing up, and the paint side is in contact with the surface. You don’t need to rush; you have a bit of time to adjust the placement before the paint begins to transfer. Once you’re satisfied with the position, spritz it lightly with water. This helps activate the paint, allowing it to release from the paper. Press the inlay firmly onto the surface. I like to use an IOD brayer to help press the inlay evenly, but you can also use a damp cloth and just press on the paint designs.
Let the paint inlay sit for 30-45 minutes while it dries. Drying times can vary depending on humidity; but try not to rush it. Trust me; it’s worth the wait!
Step 4: Removing the Carrier Paper from your DIY Artwork
Now for the exciting part; removing the Paint Inlay Carrier Paper to reveal the painted designs! Once the paper is dry, spritz it again lightly (don’t soak it) with water, letting it sit for approximately 30 seconds, before removing the paper. This softens the paper and prevents tearing when you peel it off. Carefully and gently lift the paper to reveal the transferred paint design underneath. The result is a mirror reflection of the original inlay design, now embedded in your surface.
If the transfer isn’t perfect or some areas are missing, don’t despair. Remember this is paint. You can use a small artist’s brush dipped in water to gently move the paint around and touch up any areas. Once the inlay is completely dry, you’ll need to seal it. I’ll discuss that in Step 6; First I want to add texture to the frame.
Note: Paint Inlays are also a great option for Easy DIY Canvas Art.
If you want to see more projects using IOD Paint Inlays, Here’s a Couple with more soon to come!
Note: I started out just painting the center of my wood surface, but decided to paint the outside frame the same Farmhouse Linen color.
Step 5: How to Make Wall Art Look Expensive?
Now, I want to show you my favorite part of DIY Artwork! And it’s also how to make wall art look expensive. Texture! To give your piece interest and dimension, consider adding texture on and around the frame. For this, I used Paint Couture’s Crust, a thick, crusty paste that adds a beautiful, rustic texture to any DIY artwork. Apply the Crust using a palette knife, dabbing it around the edges of the frame or wherever you want to create a rough, textured look.
You don’t need to cover the entire surface—just randomly apply the paste to create areas of interest. Once the paste dries, it hardens into a durable, crusty texture that adds a whole new layer to your artwork.
At this point, I decided to paint over the crust with the same Farmhouse Linen color, blending the texture into the overall design.
Step 6: Wax Your DIY Artwork
The final step for most DIY Art is to protect it with a sealer. You have several options when it comes to sealing Chalk Paint. One option is Wax. I used a Clear Wax and brushed it on the entire piece. I knew I wanted to add some color and I love doing that using pigment powders. If you didn’t want to add any more color to your piece, you can be done here. I actually did like the look of it being all white.
To learn more about your options for sealing chalk paint, Grab my free guide below:
Step 7: Enhancing DIY Artwork with Pigment Powders and Waxes
Now that your paint, inlay, and texture are complete, you can enhance your design color with some pigment powders and waxes. I love playing with these elements because they allow you to add depth, dimension, and color variation to your piece. For this project, I used a Venetian green pigment powder by Amy Howard. To apply it, I first poured a small amount of powder onto a styrofoam plate. With my chip brush, dipped in clear wax first, I then dipped into the pigment powder, and brushed it lightly over the textured areas.
The pigment powder adds a subtle, soft layer of color to your piece, but you can build it up by applying more. If you prefer a stronger color, you can switch to a more pigmented powder like DIY’s Plant Lady, which offers a brighter green hue. Again, with my chip brush rubbed in clear wax first, I brushed it on the surface to create vibrant pops of color. I also played with a grey powder, and a white powder as well.
Step 8: Final Touches to DIY Artwork
At this stage, you could stop and enjoy your finished artwork, but I decided to take it a step further. To add contrast between the center of the plaque and the frame, I applied a darker gray paint using a palette knife. This technique works well for highlighting the texture of the Crust, making it stand out more prominently. I then followed up by adding some white highlights to the raised areas of the texture, which gave the piece a soft, vintage finish.
Creating custom artwork with IOD Paint Inlays and texture is a fun and fulfilling way to bring your creativity to life. By layering paint, texture, pigment powders, and waxes, you can create a piece that is full of depth, character, and beauty. Whether you stick to a neutral palette or go bold with color, and contrast, the possibilities are endless.
So why not give it a try? Gather your materials, experiment with layering and texture, and create easy DIY Wall Art that reflects your unique style.
If you love DIY projects with texture, Check these out!
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Happy creating!
Until next time!
Joanie
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Email: info@weatheredwings.com
