Water Colors on Basswood

santagibbs · #1 10-08-2003, 10:06 AM

We would like to know if anyone can tell us about using Water Colors on basswook. I naven't used Water Colors before, so I don't know about the drying time on wood. Can you create a washed effect like a Hummel look? Does it raise the grain more than acrylics? Once dried, can you spray it with out the paint running or how can you finish it without too much work? We would appreciate any imformation on this subject. Thanks Charlotte

Bandaid · #2 10-08-2003, 10:39 AM

Hi Charlotte...check out http://www.whittling.com. There is some info. for using watercolors on carvings by Larry Spinak.
This fellow is a very talented carver as you will see from the pic's on his site. I haven't tried watercolors myself but thought you might get some ideas from his web.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #3 10-08-2003, 12:22 PM

actually, your better water colors come in tubes and can be used just like your acrylics...either opaque or as a thinned wash, one problem with water color is if you get water on it before you seal it.....you have a mess!

AlArchie · #4 10-08-2003, 01:49 PM

Santagibbs, I just finished taking a relief carving class, and we finished with acrylics thinned down to a wash, so the grain showed through. It worked really well, and I would imagine about the same as watercolor, but as HiHo said, if it gets wet before sealing, it will splotch and run. Acrylic, even when thinned a lot, still chemically sets when exposed to air, and will retain it's integrity, even if wetted again.

After letting the acrylic washes dry for about an hour, it was ready to seal and with spray polyurethane. I let mine dry overnight, just in case there was a damp spot from the wash.

Al

santagibbs · #5 10-08-2003, 07:07 PM

Thanks Bandaid, Hi Ho, and AlArchie, Bandaid, we looked at Whittling.com and decided the Rabbit Glue was a little two much trouble, but no doubt, it would be quite beautiful.
AlArchie, WE were wondering if you had to seal the wood before you put the thined Acrylics on? I usually have to sand again, after I put the acrylics on a piece,then paint again.. because it raises the grain. Curtis is making a Santa holding a Manger and the little tiny fgiures. Maybe I am going way out there, but I just wanted a washed look. On your relief carving, did you have to go back and sand again? Am I making any sense or what? There must be a step there that I am missing.. Thanks for your trouble.. Charlotte and Curtis

woody01 · #6 10-08-2003, 07:58 PM

Santagibbs,
When I want the type of finish you are talking about, I seal the carving with several coats of:

MINWAX
preStain Wood Conditioner

After drying it overnight I scrub the carving with a large brush. This will put a little sheen on the carving. I find that this process keeps the paint looking very even.
I will try to put a picture of a carving done using this system on picture trail.
Hoe this is of help.

Woody01

AlArchie · #7 10-08-2003, 08:10 PM

We sanded the whole carving with a power flap (strip type) sander with a very fine abrasive prior to applying the wash. Â*There was no appreciable raising of the grain afterwards.

I think that the little the grain did raise only added to the overall effect of the depth of the relief.

You could apply a sanding sealer prior to the wash, but the absorption of the color by the wood would not be the same.

Here's a link to the result! http://groups.msn.com/WildWoodAlbums...mp;PhotoID=380

Al

woody01 · #8 10-08-2003, 08:26 PM

Santagibbs,
I was able to put the picture at picture trail.
It is in the HOliday section as Woody's santa
Woody01
Hope it helps you

santagibbs · #9 10-09-2003, 09:31 AM

Thanks, Woody and AlArchie for the good information. The pictures were beautiful. Woody your Santas finish reminds of Al Longos Santas and we wondered how he got that finish. Now we know. Your Santa has such a nice warm glow to it and a very soft look. Great carving too. Thanks for the instructions. We will give it a try and see if we can make ours to come out this way. AlArchie, your carving is beautiful. It gives the look of water color and that is what we were looking for also. Curtis said to tell you, it is great to have such nice friends to give you such good information. Thanks a milion ... The Gibbs

#10 10-09-2003, 10:30 PM

Hi guy's. No mater what wood I carve I always power burnish the surface with a burnisher I made with a 1/4' piece of wood dowel mounted on a 1/8' shaft. this gives the figure a very smooth surface. Then I use a mix of fifty-fifty clear polyurethane cut with lacquer thinner. This soaks into the wood, dries fast and is ready for the next step, I use two coats with light buffing between coats. I buff with brown paper. You must under stand the only way to get an even wash or coat of paint, the surface must be smooth and sealed. Unsealed wood will not finish evenly with out sealing. It will blotch.
Jack D.