Distressed Trunk

unfinished trunk
latex paints - terra-cotta for base, deep green, brighter green, dark color of your choice
bristle brushes
paper plates
coarse sandpaper
cloth
razor blade
jagged, hand-size rock
glazing liquid
mineral spirits
tint - raw umber

Steps:

1. Apply a base coat of terra cotta or other color, and let it dry.
2. Pour some deep green onto a plate, and dip the tips of the brush bristles into it. Dab the paint off on another plate until the brush is dry, and then lightly drag the brush across the surface of the trunk, applying color very sparingly
3. Repeat Step 2 with the second green and then the dark color. With the dark color, emphasize the edges of the trunk by dragging the brush along the edges with varying degrees of pressure. Let the paint dry.
4. Distress the entire trunk with sandpaper, paying special attention to the edges. Wipe the trunk with a cloth.
5. Use a razor blade to carefully slice the corners down to the bare wood.
6. Hit the trunk all over with a rock, heavily pounding it in places and using less force in others.
7. With a brush, apply an overglaze of glazing liquid, mineral spirits and raw umber tint, and let it dry.