How to paint a child's white partilce board toy box?

I'm painting a white particle board toy box for my new second cusion to be but I'm not sure of how to start or what kind of paint will work on this surface and at the same time be safe for the child. I'm just painting on some designs on the surface of a few areas on the project. Can anyone help me?


PLEASE!!! Thanks in advance ;}
How to paint a child's white partilce board toy box?
First you would need to seal the surface, so that all of you paint doesn't soak into the woods pores :)


For that you'll need to purchase and apply some Acrylic Guess. Liquitex or other good brand...Utrecht being my favorite professional artist supply dealer. http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_searc...


Id give every nook and cranny on the outside of the toybox several (3) coats of Gesso, but at least two. I say three due to the thinner quality of Gesso produced now-a-day.


Anyhow, you'll know when everthing's coated good enough to allow you to paint directly over it with whatever paint (Oil or Acrylic) you prefer. Once your designs/scenes have been completed and you'd like to seal it all together with a coat or two (thin coats) of a spray sealer (either gloss or matte) will create a nice barrier http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_produ...


or even several coats of a polyurethane to give an awesome (like glass) coating over your previously painted on work.


I hope I've helped you a bit!


Sincerely,


Jim


http://www.artworkbyjim.com





ooops...I just noticed that you said you were just gonna do a few designs and stuff. I'm assuming that you still want the wood of the box to be seen? You'll still need to use the Gesso but instead of coating the entire box, just feather into (when you brush it on) the area that you'll be working on (still 3 coats though) and that should be sufficient. Just wanted to clarify that.
How to paint a child's white partilce board toy box?
Nyrist, she said it's white, I'm guessing it's already finished. Excellent info on finishing the raw stuff though , you got my vote !