Woodworks by John
CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Since it seems to be French do you give it that suave accent - doesn't really matter but it's an interesting design that I used for this painting by my wife, Diane Eugster. She had her model wearing many bracelets which is what inspired me to use it. I've carved this once before but this time chose to use imitation silver leaf for the finish. I encountered some interesting problems during the oil gilding process and had Diane do a short video to illustrate that. I work in my garage and the temperature was in the mid-60's but the humidity was only 8%, typical for the desert! Usually I'll separate the leaf from the paper between them onto what I call my "leaf layer". Then it's carefully slide onto the frame and tamped into place. Problem one was the static made it difficult to remove the leaf from the book and even if I did get a leaf the static caused it to curl under the leaf layer. I finally figured that I could grasp the leaf and paper and use it like patent leaf -- it worked out alright but frustrating at first. After the leaf was applied and the size completely dry the finish was rubbed back first with 4/0 steel wool and then rottenstone after air brushing a few coats of platinum shellac. I posted it as a reel on instrgram; here's a link to that:
I also posted a photo series of the carving process on instagram; here's a link to that: if you're interested.
The pictures show the tools required to lay the carve out and also the finished carve, sealed and ready for gilding. I used a grey burnisher/sealer as the bass coat after shellac.
Wow, didn't realize the links would open in the post -- kind of overwhelming :-{
I also posted a photo series of the carving process on instagram; here's a link to that: if you're interested.
The pictures show the tools required to lay the carve out and also the finished carve, sealed and ready for gilding. I used a grey burnisher/sealer as the bass coat after shellac.
Wow, didn't realize the links would open in the post -- kind of overwhelming :-{
