[vic n]

I've been sort of searching around in here to find out some of the ways you all apply paint to your pieces. I'm new, but I do have a couple of pieces that I would like to paint. One is a shelf mouse(patterns from Goody and Thomp) that I tried to put an acrylic wash on. Mixed a few drops of black with a lot of water and started painting. Problem is, the wash soaked right into the end grain but nothing went into the "with the grain" part of my little mouse. I don't know how to post pix, yet, but believe me when I say "It ain't pretty!"
(s) is/are: Can I do anything to fix what I've done? and What did I do wrong in the first place? Thanks for your help! Vic

[snickerbocker]

Vic,
we wash our carvings and then paint them wet, this helps keep the color more even. Then paint them with a wash.

[vic n]

Thanks Vicki, We did wash it but it was mostly dry when I applied the paint wash. Vic

[arnie]

vic, you missed the point. Paint the piece while it is still wet. I keep a small spray bottle of of distilled water handy to dampen areas that need wetting, in your case the end grain. End grain always absorbs more and faster. Keeping it just a little wetter than other areas will combat its tendency to do this. While applying an acyclic wash isn't like painting a house IE. one coat, you have to go back over areas again and again to achieve the results you want. If you really feel the piece is ruined you can over coat it with some guesso ( available at wal mart craft section ) and repaint it. Painting is a learning process and you will get it with practice. I hope this helps..... Try browsing Lynn's blog there is a gold mine of info there, good luck Arnie

[vic n]

Thanks, Arnie. I was actually trying to point out the difference between Vicki's process and my own, but thanks for re-enforcing my understanding. Are you also saying that in subsequent coats of the acrylic wash, you would apply the wash to a lighter area and leave the end grain alone? That makes sense to try to get an even color. Thanks. And reminding me to go back to Lynn's site is very helpful, as well. Vic

[Eddy Smiles]

Vic... Not sure if this was pointed out but I paint on newspaper and when I mix my wash I test the mixture on the paper itself before applying it to the carving. If I can't read the type through the paint then I've got the mixture too thick. I'm not sure where I saw this tip but I can't take credit for it. I believe that it was in one of the issues of WCI at some point in time. You can always add paint to the carving but you can't take it away.

[vic n]

Excellent advice, Eddy. Thanks. Vic

[arnie]

Yes Vic I would try to even out the light areas. You might even take advantage of the color diff. to create some shading. If that doesn't appeal to you paint a overcoat with only enough water in the paint to allow it to flow(less than 50/50) I would also like to rethink my suggestion about the guesso. I only do that when I'm airbrushing,sorry bout that. There are so many ways to paint almost everyone does it just a bit different, you'll have to experiment until you find a way you like. I would go to Lynn's blog and take as gospel the way he does flesh tones but thats my opinion. My paint jobs improved dramatically from using his methods,but then again I am modifying them as the situation requires.Arnie

[vic n]

Well, despite all of your advice(or maybe in spite???), I've made a real mess of only my fourth project. I've never posted pix, but am trying this a.m. If they come up for you, please try to see that the elf has a terrible paint job. I used Watco Satin Wax, dark. That made him too dark so I tried to sand some of that off. I then painted using a dry brush method with a straight antique white on his hair/beard. Then painted skin with a wash of flesh tone/water. Because of the dark stain from the wax, I had to put on too many coats of wash to get any kind of a flesh color ... he was almost purple-ish with just one coat. I actually put so many coats on that I can no longer see wood grain anywhere but on his hat(a wash of wedgewood blue). I guess the Watco was a bad idea, but I thought I should try to seal a bit so that the wash would go on evenly. Don't think I'll try to sand and refinish ... maybe I'll hang him somewhere to remind me how bad my paint skills are!! I haven't put any final sealer on ... still not sure what I want to do.

[slivers&dust]

Dang Vic, I think he looks real good. As for the finishing wax, try mixing 2 or 3 parts Watco natural wax to 1 part dark.

did you apply and BLO after painting or just finishing wax?