[arnie]

Can some one help me with their secret formula? I am carving an eagle perched on a stump. I would like the stump to be that nice silver-grey driftwood color but ever thing Ive mixed doesn't look right. Any suggestions will be appreciated,Arnie

[MelNM]

Originally Posted by arnie

Can some one help me with their secret formula? I am carving an eagle perched on a stump. I would like the stump to be that nice silver-grey driftwood color but ever thing Ive mixed doesn't look right. Any suggestions will be appreciated,Arnie

Hi Arnie no secret recipe, but maybe some help. First of all you probably need to tell us what type of paint you use.

But if your using Arylics, I have good luck using Black and White mixed to a light grey. But I water it down some and apply in thin coats till I get the desired color. What happens is the brownish color of the wood mixed with the light grey wash, gives it an antique look. Just remember put it on a coat at a time till you get the desired affect.
Good Luck
Mel

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Arnie.....Here's what I do to get a weathered look to wooden fences, etc. Assuming that your stump has some texture to it, determine what your darkest color is. I normally pick a very dark, almost black burnt umber. I then paint the whole thing with that color. Now, using white, I come back and dry brush it until I get the desired lightness. You can mix a midtone of the dark color and white and dry brush that if you want.

If you paint it grey and then try to get the dark in the cracks you'll never get it, thats why I put on the darkest color as that will remain in the depressed areas while the areas hit by the dry brushing will be lightened.

Hope this helps.

[Robert Cahill]

Years ago a painter was teaching me how to do some shadow boxes with carvings inside. On one piece for a stone fireplace he had me mix black with white one water based the other oil based. It may be what you are looking for. He also said that is the only time to mix oil and water based paint.

[arnie]

Thanks for the suggestions, I didn't think the look I want would be so had to get. I can see it in my mind plain as can be,but haven't got it yet. I'll try Lynn's idea on some scrap,Ive already tried numerous washes the closest was some silver and grey mixed into a wash,dried and over washed with some silver and dark blue mixed as a wash,I've been using inexpensive acrylics and the perch can be seen in the parrot-eagle post on WIP. Arnie

[JIM QUILICI]

arnie,
I ve use the same method getting semi gray hair as lynn does getting old looking wood. put the dark on first then dry brush the white, or lighter color. works very well