Step one: Remove the string from the end of the paddle. You can discard it.
Step two: Paint the oar. I used milk paints from Plaid Crafts to get a matte finish. I used a deep blue color on one oar and an off white paint on the other oar. Let the paint dry completely.
Step three: Place the desired stencil on the oar and use stencil tape to hold it in place. I used some nautical stencils from Plaid Crafts.
Step four: Use a sponge to dab paint over the stencil to create the design. Dab the sponge in the paint, blot off the excess paint on a paper towel, and then dab over the stencil. I use multiple light applications to avoid paint “bleeding” under the stencil. Tip: I like to paint over the stencil with the base paint color first to help “seal” the edges and reduce paint bleeding under the stencil.
