How to Prepare Turkey Feathers Before Painting on Them
- 1). Dilute a drop of dishwashing detergent in lukewarm water. Wash the turkey feather gently in this solution, rubbing it with your fingers. Be careful not to rub too hard so you do not separate the feather during washing. Avoid submerging the feather and swishing it around violently.
- 2). Blow the feather dry using a blow dryer set to Low and Cool. Hold the dryer at least 18 inches from the feather. You do not want to see the feather flutter in the airflow; you only want to evaporate the water. Smooth the feather into its original shape gently with your fingers during drying if necessary.
- 3). Spray the turkey feather with clear gloss craft spray or fixative. Hold the spray can at least 12 inches from the feather and coat it evenly with a back and forth motion.
Alternatively, you can dilute white glue in water and coat the feather lightly with your fingers, smoothing the feather as you apply the diluted glue solution. Make sure to use a glue that dries clear.
Whether you use a clear gloss spray or a glue solution, allow the feather to dry completely before the next step. - 4). Cover a hard surface such as a painters palette or drafting table top with kraft paper and use masking tape to secure it in place. This will serve as the easel for painting the turkey feather.
- 5). Tape the prepared turkey feather in place on the kraft paper using painters tape. Use two strips of painters tape about two inches long to secure the bottom part of the feather. Use another two-inch strip to secure the top. Use very tiny pieces to hold down the edges. Cover only the slightest bit of feather on the top and sides. You want to leave as much area as possible on which to paint.
