Wood Grain in Illustrator

Here's a useful design technique: Scott Weichert demonstrates how to create a wood grain pattern using the Gradient tool and the Warp command. Create a wood grain pattern in Illustrator. Click through to watch this video on layersmagazine.com

Are you going to be a tree for Halloween? It's not the most common or popular costume choice out there, but on the off chance that you are, check out this makeup tutorial for a curious faux bois (or imitation wood grain) makeup look. Do realize before you get started that fau ...more

Learn about different finishes. In this video, the Wood Whisperer puts the finish on a pencil holder. It's not just any finish. Since we are working with a beautiful curly maple, the finish deserves a little extra special attention. Learn how to pop the grain.

The katana (also known as the samurai sword) originated in Japan's Muromachi period (1392–1573). These curved blades are known worldwide for their elegance and craftsmanship. But if you can't afford your own antique model you can create your own reproduction using junk you've ...more

End grain wood is very absorbent to whatever material that is applied to it. In this how to video you will learn how to apply shellac, a maple transtint coloring agent and a topcoat to end grain wood for a beautiful maple finish.

Applying topcoat is the final step in successfully refinishing your furniture piece. Water-Based Polyurethane Topcoats are strong, durable and are favored because they dry crystal clear, allowing the beauty of the wood grain to show. However, classic varnishes and brush-appli ...more

Tim Carter demonstrates how to stain wood to get the color you want. Watching these video tips allows you to be able to apply wood stain to match almost any color. If you get the right color stain and apply it properly, your new piece of wood will match color-wise and allow th ...more

Staining wood is an exciting and fun step in your refinishing process. Staining brings out and enhances the patterns in the wood grain and it unifies an overall color. At this stage your project piece begins to look more finished. Allow enough time to complete this task from s ...more

Eagle Lake Woodworking, hosted by John Nixon, offers great do-it-yourself guides for building your own furniture, especially in the American Arts and Crafts style, and turning your garage into an amateur woodshop. Search Eagle Lake on WonderHowTo for more carpentry tutorial vi ...more

This video covers the construction and assembly of a decorative pencil holder. These make great gifts and are excellent for utilizing scrap. This video is for the more experienced woodworker, knowledge of tools is required. To apply a beautiful finish on the pencil holder, see ...more

Hand planes are the epitome of fine woodworking. Extreme woodworkers use them, and serious collectors collect them. Planes come in a wide variety of sizes, styles and designs for specific woodworking purposes. Planes are available made entirely of metal, or made of wood with m ...more

Part of the charm of hardwood floors is their imperfections. Slight variations in grain and color, as well as the minor spots and specs in the wood help provide an aged-to-perfection look for your floors. However, you may encounter a cracked plank or damage to a section of you ...more

Sanding is an important step when preparing wood for painting or staining. You Will Need * Sandpaper of varying grits * A random-orbit finishing sander * A sanding block * Safety goggles * A dust mask * And a shop vacuum * A pencil WARNING: Always wear safety goggles when ope ...more

In this video series, an expert in airbrushing will demonstrate how to airbrush a wood grain effect for a car. He will go through the step-by-step instructions on how to paint a base coat, mix the airbrush paint, apply the color, and add details in a variety of ways. If you ha ...more

In this tutorial, AJ Wood shows you how to use InDesign CS4 to design a photobook that can be exported in JPEG format and sent to the printers. For more Adobe software tutorials from Layers Magazine, search Layers Magazine on WonderHowTo. WonderHowTo indexes all Layers Magazi ...more

Pixel Perfect is the "perfect" show to help you with your Photoshop skills. Be amazed and learn as master digital artist Bert Monroy takes a stylus and a digital pad and treats it as Monet and Picasso do with oil and canvas. Learn the tips and tricks you need to whip those dig ...more

Getting splinters is no fun, but making them can be if you've got the right tools and the proper technique. You Will Need * Wood * A chopping block * A splitting maul * A sledge hammer * Two wedges Step 1: Set your log Place your log on the chopping block, or if one is unavai ...more

A cutting board is essential — even if you only ever cut drink garnishes, slicing limes on a dormroom desk is pretty gross. You Will Need * A wooden cutting board * Hot water * Dishwashing liquid * Sponge * Coarse salt * A lemon cut in half * A clean, dry towel * A drying ra ...more

In this video, we learn how to make wood roof shingles by hand. Start off with round oak wood, then split it with a splitting axe. Then, use a mallet to split them out further. Make sure to use clean and straight grained oak to do this. Now, remove the bark from the wood and s ...more

Some homes are more prone to dust than others and just dusting doesn't always work. Arm yourself with these proven strategies in the battle to banish dust from your home. You Will Need: • A mattress and pillow covers • A vacuum cleaner • A damp mop • Product to spray rags ...more

Tommy demonstrates how the prospect door will fit into Bombe Secretary piece. He then shows how he copied the design from a photo to paper and then to the wood block. He makes multiple attempts at cutting the block and laughs about how many mistakes he's made so far. It's goin ...more