Page 120 - The Decorative Painter Summer 2014

OIL
STEP-BY-STEP
mAP C & D - BACKGROuND: STEP 18
PAINTING TIPS
PALETTE: I like to mix paints on glass with the color of the background under the glass to ensure that my values will work on the color, thereby minimizing adjustments. Paint the cardboard Black Green. Put into the palette keeper and place the safety glass on top.
SImPLY TACKY PAPERTAK PuTTY: Stretch out to make pli- able, then flatten. This is used to remove paint from mops and rakes without using turpentine. You can also ball it up and use it to pick up unwanted wet paint. When Simply Tacky is covered in paint, fold it, stretch it out, and fold it again, repeating the process until the surface is clean. RAKE: Use this brush to blend applied colors after blend- ing with a chisel between values. Important: You must wipe the brush on Simply Tacky after each stroke or you will carry color where you do not want it.
n The 1⁄8" rake moves paint more readily. Use it in smaller areas such as cast shadows and the stems. The 1⁄4" rake is used over larger areas. It will not move the paint as read- ily as the 1⁄8" size. Use this brush to soften the top layer of paint, similar to a mop.
n If the rake cannot move the paint, then you have not used enough paint. Reapply the values and proceed. If the rake blends the values, creating the appearance of one or two values, then you have used too much paint. Place a single ply of tissue over the surface and lightly brush over it, to remove a significant amount of paint. Reapply values, if necessary, and proceed with the rake blending process. BLENDING vALuES: As you apply the values, soften where they come together to soften the hard line. Do not rake until this is done. The design will have an overall softer look with the direction of growth clearly established. As you proceed with the raking, the values will soften togeth- er and will not be so distinctive. This is preferable. If light- er or darker values disappear, you can reapply gingerly and
COmPLETED PAINTING
118 The Decorative Painter • ISSUE NO. 2, 2014
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rake, but do not overdo it. You do not want the flower to appear heavy. You may need to allow the painting to dry before proceeding.
GLAZING TECHNIQuE: Apply Winsor & Newton Blending & Glazing Medium to the brush and pinch-wipe. Load with the lightest or darkest values to add higher lights and darker darks. This is not repainting—just deepening or lightening areas that did not hold before. Blend edges into the back- ground paint with a flat, because the rake will not move this paint.
PINCH-WIPE: Place brush between two pieces of paper towel, pinch the towel, and apply pressure as you remove the brush. This removes excess paint, strengthens the flat- ness of the brush, and protects the chisel edge.
REDuCING GLASS: As you are painting, you need perspec- tive on how the colors and values are coming together. Usually you place the work several feet away to judge it, but there is an easier way. Viewing your painting through a reducing glass will immediately tell you if you are on the right track or need to make adjustments.
DRYING: I will often place my painted piece in the oven to dry overnight. Turn on the oven to the lowest setting. When the oven reaches the temperature, turn it off and turn on the oven light. Place the piece on the middle rack and shut the door. Place a note on the oven door as a re- minder. The next morning paint should be dry.
CERAmIC TILE: To preserve paints for future sessions, place oil mixes and values on a tile. Cover well with plastic wrap and press down around the paint. Place in the freezer to preserve.
JO SONJA’S BRuSH SOAP AND CONDITIONER: This prod- uct will clean up paint, even if dried. Soak the brush for five minutes or so, and then clean with water. This soap is also a conditioner and will not affect sables.