[Raparee]

Hello all.
I've been interested in trying analine dyes to colour caricture carvings, sort of how Emil Janel did. I was wondering if anyone had ever tried using these dyes. I have read that they are deep penetrating when water is used as a solvent. Would this mean that there would be a problem with bleeding, or would stop cuts be enough to prevent it?

Thanks.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

They are also expensive if I remember right.....

[BobD]

I usually mix them with rubbing alcohol; the alcohol dissolves faster and doesn't raise the grain as much.

They do flow pretty easily...I've never used them on a carving, but I have heard of people using a woodburner to "burn" a stop cut for very, very thin acrylic paint washes...

I'd test it on scrap before doing anything. One thing about analine dyes is that they are designed to be color fast...so they shouldn't fade over time like some other coloring agents do.

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor