The “white-washed” is wood wetted with paint thinner, sprayed with flat-white paint, allowed to sit for a couple of minutes, and then wiped of most paint, and allowed to dry… ala @Bulldog
Painted is just simple light coat of flat-white paint, allowed to dry. And, of course, bare is totally untreated, just as it comes out of the package.
The paint definitely seems to give a “grainy” look to the image.
I have light air-assist running… maybe I need to roll it with a lint roller…
Thanks. Yes, the difference was simply rolling over it with a common lint roller. Note the loose soot in the first photo, just above the engraving on the painted stick… it was scanned from bottom to top of image and there was a light air-assist running. The lint roller picks up most of that loose soot for less smearing and makes it far less messy to handle. Follow with a clear-coat to lock it all in.
They are 31.7mm x 254mm (1.25" x 10") and come in packages of 45… I get mine at Walmart most of the time. Someone in another forum said they are most likely birch.
Yes you are correct on the middle part as shown. The suggestion by @Bulldog of a sanding with 220 grit sandpaper will. Help as well. I have also used the paint thinner method and achieved same results as the middle example on maple
Thanks, @beamer3.6. It’s actually quite guick and easy with just a 2.5 watt laser to do some pretty neat stuff with craft sticks… and the resolution can be quite good, especially with Kate joining the cast…