A gourd conditioner makes using coloring products easier and less costly. Find out how and when to use them. For beginner gourd painters I also have a painting technique that works great on gourds!
We buy many gourds and store them until we need them. Some of your gourds can be around for more than a year before you are ready to create gourd art.
The surface is very absorbent and when you add a color product such as dyes or ink it will quickly disappear into the gourd. Before you know it, the product is half gone! The trick is to use a gourd conditioner before you start
First of all, there are two gourd conditioners you can make that will work.
Formula #1
Mix 2/3 cup of Murphy’s oil with 1/3 cups of HOT water. Store in a light lid container. I usually apply all of these products with a cotton round.
Formula #2
In a small plastic cup add glycerin and then just enough hot water to thin it a little. This one you make up when you need it.
Here are two gourd conditioners made specifically for gourd artists I would recommend. Both are about $6 for 2 0z.
This product is one of the vendors most popular product and no one wants to revolve its contents. As you will discover, a conditioner like these do not last long and are a little expensive.
Miriam Joy’s MJ’s Gourd Conditioner
This is a new product created by our affiliate, Miriam joy. These comes in a heavy and light version in a set of 2, one of each.
These gourd conditioners are not limited to conditioning a gourd yu can use them as eraser and thinners.
Here is a list of ways to use these products
- Use it to dilute or lighten gourd dyes
- Colors and makes blending the dye colors easier.
- It will remove dye from a gourd. Use a couple of dots on a cotton pad or even a micro brush and remove or lighten any spot.
- It will also remove old leather dye
- It also can be used to dilute or lighten Ink Dye or Transparent Acrylic colors.
- Mix it with any Pigment Powders and it with create a shimmering paint color.
- It is great for removing the sticky residue and carbon buildup that is sometimes left on your gourd after woodburning Stick ‘n Burn
For the beginning gourd artist, I can offer you two videos with great tips.
Miriam joy will show you how her conditioner works. I would say this formula is very close to the Welburn Formula 49. Both sell 2 oz. bottles for about $6.
The other video explains a floating technique used for acrylic paint. Miriam Joy walks you through this process and breaks it down for you to understand and follow. You will see in the last part of the film, that using the conditioner, is an easier process than using water.
Congratulation to Miriam for developing her own conditioner. Please take time to check out her other products. The circle templates you saw in the video is another favorite from miriamjoy.com.
Please, share your thoughts here in the comment box or share them with all the gourd artists on our Facebook Group Page.
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Hello, I live in France and it is difficult for me to find coditioner formula 49.
Receiving it by post is also complicated.
Can you tell me with what other type of product I can replace formula 49, what is its ingredient ? Thank you for your answer
Martine Bigot
It is really a wood softener. Mix warm water with Murphy’s Soap and rub with a cloth.
Can you use acrylic paints over the Murphys Oil soap conditioning?
Yes, but let it dry for a coupe of hours before staring.