Woodworks by John
CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Lately my wife (www.dianeeugster.net) has been asking for frames that are black. I've gone the Krylon route and the vinegar/metal solution to ebonize woods high in tannin but this time I wanted something a little more refined. I'm apprehensive about asking but will anyway -- opinions from my fellow framers. Even though there's no money exchanged with my wife this was a quicker process than gesso, sanding, priming, spray painting, waxing and much, much cleaner. I like it!!
Here's what I did to create this molding. First off, it's made of 4/4 Steamed European Beech and about 3" wide. The sight edge is a separate piece that is about an inch tall and currently it's going to be used for panels, not canvas. I used a router bits to cut the grooves and shaped the outer edge and sight edge with a half round profile. Notice that the flat portions have a definite sheen, that's because that surface is hand planed before assembling the frame. The insides of the grooves have a more textural appearance due to the cutting action of the router bit. It's a slight, but obvious, change in texture that adds interest to this molding.
To get the ebony color I used aniline dye (JE Moser) which is something I've always wanted to experiment with. For this mix I used 1 oz. dye, 2 oz. denatured alcohol, and then 6 oz. distilled water. Two applications of the dye with a foam brush a couple of hours apart, wiped dry, and then allowed to dry overnight. I used shellac, a Jathwa button mix, to bring out the color and add a warm amber cast to the piece. This was padded on but next time I think I'll use an airbrush to seal the dye first, followed by the French polishing technique. I had some color transfer on the pad which was more pronounced on the first couple of coats. This may or may not be a problem. In any case, I padded on at least 7 coats and I like the way the planed surfaces have more sheen than the routed grooves. It's finished off with Liberon wax, love the smell and sheen it provides.
Was it successful? well according to my best client/wife it must be because she requested 3, 12" square ones just like the sample for her current Square Foot of Art Series!
Here's what I did to create this molding. First off, it's made of 4/4 Steamed European Beech and about 3" wide. The sight edge is a separate piece that is about an inch tall and currently it's going to be used for panels, not canvas. I used a router bits to cut the grooves and shaped the outer edge and sight edge with a half round profile. Notice that the flat portions have a definite sheen, that's because that surface is hand planed before assembling the frame. The insides of the grooves have a more textural appearance due to the cutting action of the router bit. It's a slight, but obvious, change in texture that adds interest to this molding.
To get the ebony color I used aniline dye (JE Moser) which is something I've always wanted to experiment with. For this mix I used 1 oz. dye, 2 oz. denatured alcohol, and then 6 oz. distilled water. Two applications of the dye with a foam brush a couple of hours apart, wiped dry, and then allowed to dry overnight. I used shellac, a Jathwa button mix, to bring out the color and add a warm amber cast to the piece. This was padded on but next time I think I'll use an airbrush to seal the dye first, followed by the French polishing technique. I had some color transfer on the pad which was more pronounced on the first couple of coats. This may or may not be a problem. In any case, I padded on at least 7 coats and I like the way the planed surfaces have more sheen than the routed grooves. It's finished off with Liberon wax, love the smell and sheen it provides.
Was it successful? well according to my best client/wife it must be because she requested 3, 12" square ones just like the sample for her current Square Foot of Art Series!
