I’m sure we are all dreaming of fun in the sun, days at the beach, and the freedom to go wherever we choose. Until then, we can find ways to bring a little sunshine into our homes and maybe a smile or two along the way. This week’s project is a painted wooden pineapple. As usual, we’ll need a little inspiration courtesy of Mother Nature.

It’s amazing how many colors can be found in the outer skin of a pineapple.

The complex textures and geometric patterns are beautiful.

Pineapples have long been a symbol for hospitality. What could be a better way to greet everyone to your home than displaying a bright welcoming pineapple?

How to Paint a Textured Wooden Pineapple:

Pineapple has such wonderful texture that needs to be touched. By using fabric paints, you can create thick, 3-D effects with very little effort.

Raw Wood Pineapple

Thick wood has been cut out in the shape of a pineapple and has the advantage of strong, rectangular base. Both sides and all the edges will need to be painted. Due to the raw nature of the wood, it may require a little sanding, especially along the edges.

Supplies

Supplies:
Wooden Pineapple (11-3/8” high x 5” wide x 1/2” thick) (Base is 5” wide x 2” deep)
Acrylic Paints – brown, yellow, green, tan
5) Bottles Fabric Paint – dark green, yellow, white (not shown)
Paintbrushes
Sandpaper
Black Sharpie Marker or pencil

Paint Base Colors

Using acrylic paints and a brush, paint the leaves green, the remainder of the pineapple yellow and the base brown.

Define the Leaves

Draw the leaf details with a Sharpie marker or pencil.

Texture the Leaves

Trace the leaves with green fabric paint, including the perimeter edges. Allow the paint to dry overnight. Depending upon how thick you want the texture to be, it may require a second coat.

Texture the Pineapple

Starting at the base of the leaves, paint two horizontal rows of irregularly shaped rectangles with yellow fabric paint.

Directional Texture

Continue painting the yellow texture, working on a diagonal as shown. I started in the upper right corner and staggered the shapes, which get larger as you work toward the bottom.

Completed Yellow Texture

This photo shows the completed yellow texture. Allow it to dry overnight. If you accidentally get yellow paint on the brown base, simply touch up the paint as needed. It’s now ready for a few finishing touches.

Little Details

To complete the look, make a dot in the center of each yellow “block” and create an upward stroke of paint, which narrows to a point. Repeat this step across the entire yellow pineapple surface. Allow drying time. For the last step, use a tiny brush to apply tan acrylic paint to the tip of each white point.

Finished Pineapple

This completes the textured pineapple project. I hope you enjoyed it.

Have you painted any wooden home décor items? Do you have any secrets to creating texture? Please share your ideas in the comments section.

Thanks for reading!

Happy Crafting!