Pickling is usually applied to porous wood such as oak but can be done on pine. You might want to scratch the surface with a wire brush to simulate pores. First, stain the wood the color you want. Second, seal with a coat of shellac or other clear sealer. Third, apply your choice of colored paint (latex is best) and wipe it into the cracks and depressions wiping off all that you don't want. Forth, apply your final clear finish. A good book covering this and other finishes is "The Furniture Doctor" by G. Grotz.