Page 67 - The Decorative Painter Winter 2017

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The Decorative Painter • WINTER 2017 65
If a little formal glitz is your taste, gold leaf is for you! Given the size and importance of this im- pressive piece, I prefer to do at least one all-season insert that can easily be slipped in and out of the window so it can remain in place full time. Store inserts flat and handy in the bottom of a drawer. Here is an all-season floral to pair with the St. Nick from the last issue. Both sides of these quality in- serts are good to paint on ... so how about some other seasonal subjects?
PREPARATION
FRAME
Using a 1" flat shader, apply Midnite Green to the entire window frame. Apply the color gener- ously. Once dry, using a liner or small flat shader, go back and check for any misses of color, or add a second coat to both sides of the frame. Lightly sand all surfaces of the window frame.
Apply Metal Leaf (I applied blue variegated leaf) and continue as per gold leaf instruction.
Varnish the frame with your favorite finishing product. This is a “must” to protect the leaf and gold, as well as the acrylic surfaces.
POPPY INSERT
Apply a coat of Shale Green to both sides and the thickness edge of the insert to seal the ply- wood thoroughly. By using the points of a Dry-It board (or make one by pounding nails through plywood pieces) you can do the back and thick- ness edge, then place it on the points and im- mediately do the first coat on the top painting surface before the back is totally dried. This helps to eliminate warping, which can happen if done side by side, totally drying between. Lightly sand all areas, and tack away sanding dust. You can
JEAN ZAWICKI
then apply a second coat of color as with the first if needed.
GOLD LEAF
THE WINDOW FRAME
I’ve chosen to use a blue variegated leaf for the flat 1" wide horizontal surfaces of the frame. You could also use regular gold leaf sheets if you prefer or maybe do flat top areas with a faux marble fin- ish. Be sure you read all product labels.
Using an older no. 8 flat shader, apply water- based metal leaf adhesive evenly on all of the 1" flat top surfaces. Brush out as you go to leave no puddles or streaks of thicker adhesive. Adhe- sive is cloudy white when first applied, and will turn clear as it tacks up enough to lay on leafing. Immediately wash out the adhesive brush with warm, soapy water.
By the time I’d carefully applied adhesive around the frame, I was able to begin dropping portions of a leaf sheet onto the first areas, again working around the frame. I use a 6" ruler on the edge to tear off narrower strips of leaf when need- ed. Don’t worry if there is slight overlapping. Do patching using small pieces as you go. Press down the applied leaf to make sure that there are no air pockets using clean fingers, a soft brush or clean cotton balls. Small skips, wrinkles or cracks are fine, allowing the black to peek through here and there if desired. Set aside to dry overnight.
If you have larger loose overlap pieces, carefully pull them off and store between paper sheets for future patching. Allow to dry overnight.
Buff off all loose leaf using a small square of velvet using small circular motions.
Patch any really large skips that offend you and dry thoroughly overnight. Re-buff patches.
ACRYLIC