[icarve2003]

I am just about to paint the first santa I've ever carved. I usually do birds. Anyway, I've seen on some of the posted pictures that they have a sort of 'antique look' to them. It looks as though there is a dark wash applied over the paint. I want to achieve that look

So, what do you do?? Is it just a dark wash that soaks into the cracks? Help. ???

[Callynne]

Â* Â* I can only speak for myself but I use an antiquing medium. Â*It's a translucent stain that you put overtop the piece when it's all finished then wipe off all the excess. Â*It leaves behind that 'antique' look. Â*There are many products to use, the one I use is from WalMart, by FolkArt, it's with their craft paints. Â*It's water soluable, which I really like because if I get it too thick I can just use a little water to thin it down. Â*Good luck, looking forward to seeing a picture of your Santa! Â*Callynne

[Nancy_G]

Over my acrylic paint I use a home-made antique glaze made of a dab of burnt umber oil paint in a big glug of Winsor & Newton's LIQUIN. Works for me.
Friday I was in a craft store and saw a bottle of Delta's Antiquing Gel. Tried it for the first time tonight and just hated it. I'm too old and set in my ways to make many changes. :P

My wife paints all my Santa's and then uses a brown or light brown acrylic antiquing. Any brand will work. She will mix in a retarder at 2 parts antiquing and 1 part retarder to slow the drying process. You can apply it with any bristle brush and after lightly removing the heavier amounts with a paper towel she will use a mop brush to blend the creases and corners. Allow to dry 4-5 days and then seal with a polyurethane sealer. I prefer a satin finish. It really tones down the brightness of the reds and white and give the Santa's a warm antiqued look. Good luck and happy carving.

I use Jo sonja Products. Â*After we paint a santa I put a coat of her glazing medium on him. Â*This keeps the antiquing medium from soaking into the paint. Â*I Let this coat dry for at least three days. Â*I mix 5 parts of jo sonya antiquing medim to 2 parts of burnt umber, 1 part paynes grey, Â*then add flow medium to get it to the consistancy that I want (I call this Secret Sause). Â*I coat the santa with this and imediatly wipe it off. I then use discarded makeup brushes to soften what is left. Â*After this dries I wax the santas with two coats of Butchers Wax.

I went to the jo sonya products because of thier lightfastness. Â*I had some of my santas in a storefront window, the craft paint faded the jo sonya paint looked like we just painted them.

Hope this Helps,
Goody

After I paint my santas I use a paste wax shoe polish in a light tan color. I apply it with a tooth brush and buff it out with a soft cloth. This leaves an antique look and has never worn off. Works for me
Ric

I like to use a solution of linseed oil and burnt umber. Just a dab of burnt umbrer, mixed well. Following my painting this goes on----I like the effect, but test before using. I apply heavy (lots of stuff) then wipe off with a soft cloth. Again test, if it is not dark enough, add burnt umber, if it is to dark, add linseed oil. My finishing follows, linseed oil coat (filler) water colors (Delta Cream Coat) then llinseed oil and burnt umber. Wipped down and somewhat polished with the soft cloth. Used on cowboys, santas, etc.etc. Test Test and then test. charlie : 8)

I don't use an antiquing medium, polish, or polyurethane seal.
I try to get that look just using the paints. I just let the oil that rubs off your hands do the job. The more a carving gets handled the better it looks.

Practice the different blending techniques, learn how to highlight and shade objects, how to dry brush --etc.

Delta Technical Coatings puts out a book called ' Beginning Guide to Decorative Painting'. It is published by
Tru-Color Systems, Inc.
64 East Marion Street
P. O. Box 496
Danville, IN 46122-0496
317-745-7535

Carving & Good Painting

Woody01

Oh, I agree. Take the time (and spend the money, if necessary) to learn how to use paints not only to 'color' a piece, but to give it more dimension through shading. Antiquing medium has its place, certainly - to make a piece look old or worn - but learning to blend and shade while painting can give you the edge in bringing your piece to life. I have seen some beautiful carvings totally ruined by a bad paint job. No amount of 'antiquing' could save it.

Stroll through your local craft store - there are so many books available on decorative painting, that will teach you the basics you need to know to begin blending and shading your painting on a carving - you'll be amazed at the added dimension and character your carving will realize.

Spend as much energy learning to paint and you did in learning to carve. You won't regret it!

Teri