How to Paint Gnomes

Wash the gnome the day before so it will dry before painting. If the gnome has been in the yard or has peeling paint, cleaning it in advance will assure a more effective paint job. Wash the gnome with a hose.

Rub off any chipping paint with a sponge. Rinse thoroughly with plain water to remove any soap residue. Don't wash a new bisque or unpainted gnome.

Pat the gnome dry with a towel and leave in a safe location to dry, such as at the back of a counter.

Spread newspaper on a work surface in a well-ventilated room. Set the gnome facing away from you on a lazy Susan or on the newspaper.

Choose the colors for the gnome, such as green for eyes, blue for the pants and black for the shoes. The traditional gnome has a gray or white beard, green apron and a red cap, known as a zipfel, though contemporary gnomes come in many color combinations.

Paint the large areas first. Paint back of the coat, starting at the collar and making wide downward strokes. Turn the lazy Susan or move the gnome to face forward and paint the front of the gnome's coat or tunic.

Dip a fresh paintbrush in the color for the pants and paint them in the same way, making long strokes from the top of the garment downwards.

Switch brushes and paint the shoes. Leave the bottom of the gnome's base unpainted so the statue material can breathe.

Paint the beard and hair with a fine brush, applying the strokes of paint along the downward direction of the hair.

Allow the paint to dry. Depending on the type of paint, the gnome's material and the weather, the drying time may take anywhere from two hours to a full day. Letting the paint dry fully reduces the risk of muddying the colors together.

Paint the cap from the tip to its base, taking care to keep the paint off the face and hair.

Paint the skin on the face, neck and hands. Allow the paint to dry.

Use a fine-tip brush to paint the gnome's lips, eyes, eyelashes and eyebrows.

Paint the gnome with exterior varnish once the paint dries completely to the touch. Use long smooth strokes from top to bottom. Leave the base underneath the gnome unvarnished.