Summary

I'll guide you through the process of creating a laser-engraved painting on canvas using the Fordite method. While I've seen others use this technique, Darkly Labs was the first place I saw it specifically referenced as "Fordite," which I think is a fitting name. For this project, I'll be recreating Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night—as closely as possible.

The Fordite method is a named after the man-made gemstone Fordite, a byproduct of an old automotive painting process. Fordite was formed over time as overspray from painting accumulated on factory rails, creating layers of cured paint. This material was later "mined," cut, polished, and used as a gemstone in jewelry. The randomness of this process results in something truly unique.

The technique I use for this project mimics the creation of Fordite by applying layers of paint on canvas and allowing each layer to dry. However, rather than random colors, I intentionally layer the paint progressing from lightest to darkest. This approach gives us some control, as a more intense laser engraves deeper and exposes lighter colors. Despite this, the final result is still unpredictable, which is part of the fun—you never quite know how it will turn out.