Linda K. Beasley on tue 2 jan 07
I'm thinking about finishing one of my terracotta non-portrait sculptures
with acrylics. The effect that I have in mind can't be accomplished with my
very limited understanding of underglazes, stains, etc. Although I've
applied acrylics drectly to bisqued pieces before, I'm considering an
application of gesso first. I have some black gesso to apply under
areas that I will finish in dark colors. I'm considering also buying
white gesso for under the lighter colors. I'm going to first try the
gesso and acrylic layers on a test tile but I was wondering about the
longterm appearance. Since I've read that oil colors end up dull over
time (is that true?), I was wondering if the treatment I'm planning is
stable. Will it flake, blotch, fade, dull, or otherwise change in
appearance over time?
BTW If anyone can point me in the direction of a good workshop or video
for using underglazes, stains, etc., I'd love to hear. I have several
books about surface decoration but I learn best by seeing it done. I
live in Mississippi so the workshop would need to be in the south.
Thanks, Linda
Snail Scott on wed 3 jan 07
-----Original Message-----
>From: "Linda K. Beasley"
>Sent: Jan 2, 2007 12:49 PM
>...I'm going to first try the
>gesso and acrylic layers on a test tile but I was wondering about the
>longterm appearance. Since I've read that oil colors end up dull over
>time (is that true?), I was wondering if the treatment I'm planning is
>stable. Will it flake, blotch, fade, dull, or otherwise change in
>appearance over time?
Treat acrylic on clay just as you would
acrylic on canvas or any other substrate.
Gesso is not essential, but will modify the
clay surface's texture and absorbency,
so if it gives you what you want, go ahead
and do it.
The 'black gesso under drybrushed acrylic'
thing is so common as to have become tedious,
honestly - looks like black-velvet paintings -
but if you've never seen it your approach is
likely to be fresher,
so go ahead.)
It will be a stable as your paints are. Craft
paint is less archival than artist-grade acrylics,
but they all do fairly well. The fact that they
are applied to clay is not relevant to their
stability, longevity, etc. It should actually
last longer than on (flexible, degradable)
canvas.
Oil paint will dull, but it dulls on canvas, too,
as the oils evaporate. To retain the shine, do
just as painters on canvas do: varnish it.
Wax can be a nice option over many types
of paint, and there are acrylic varnishes in
a range from gloss to matte.
The main virtue of underglazes, relative
to paint, is that they are more archival,
stronger, and weatherproof. They are not
morally superior, and not necessarily even
more appropriate. It depends on your use.
Underglazes can be applied and mixed much
like paints, though, so if you have work that
you want to be ceramic-level permanent
(for outdoors, for instance), or resistant to
abrasion and wear, consider underglazes,
with or without glaze.
-Snail
stonepaws on wed 3 jan 07
In regard to the gesso, it will help the acrylics adhere better over
time and it will also help to seal the bisque prior to painting with
oils if you decide to try oils. With the acrylics, if you want the
stability over time, you're better off using the higher quality artists
mediums and not the cheaper versions. Take note the adhesion
properties of the acrylic lessen as the level of added water is
increased. When I use acrylics, I like to use a clear medium to thin
the colours if that's the look I'm going for. This maintains the
durability of the medium. Just one more note on the gesso, if you have
a high level of small detail, you need be careful of losing some by
filling it in with the paint. Also, using gesso first, prefrably 2
layers, you may wish to light sand each dry layer as gesso can give a
sandy like surface. Good luck!
| |
|
