Hand-Painted Botanical Serving Tray

Seal the bare wood according to the sealer manufacturer's instructions. Once the sealer is completely dry, lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper (220–320 grit) and remove all dust. Apply two light, even coats of ivory acrylic paint to the entire wooden surface, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next. Lightly sand between coats for a smooth finish, removing all sanding dust before applying the next coat. After the final coat, allow the paint to cure for 24 hours before laser engraving.

Import the floral wreath design into xTool Studio and adjust the engraving settings as needed for your laser and material. Position the tray on the laser bed, then use the Mark Processing Area feature to accurately center the wreath on the tray before engraving. Once you're satisfied with the alignment, engrave the design.

Using a soft sponge, apply the background colors starting at the outside edge of the tray and working inward. Begin with dark green around the perimeter, then blend into medium green, finishing with light green toward the center. Add a drop of blending extender to each paint color before applying it to help create smooth transitions. Allow the background to dry completely before removing the flower masks.

Carefully peel away the flower masks. Paint the leaves using a sage green to add contrast against the blended background. Paint the flower centers with a light straw or golden-yellow color. Add highlights to the petals using French Vanilla, then create soft shading by applying a thin whitewash of watered-down French Vanilla over selected areas of the petals. Build the color gradually with light layers until you're happy with the depth and dimension. Allow the painted tray to dry for at least 24 hours before applying a protective finish.