File puptcrit/puptcrit.0501, message 337


From: Anne Schaefer <anne-AT-tanglewoodmarionettes.com>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Natural Varnish?
Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 08:58:30 -0500
To: puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org


Not sure about a "home-makeable" varnish, but Rosco makes a clear
acrylic flat protective coating.  We've used it on scenery with good
result (gives good protection with no sheen), but I've never tried it
on puppets or masks.  Not sure about its toxicity, but I think it's
fairly benign.

On a side note, I've never given any of the puppets we make any kind of=20
final varnish.  Any dings or scratches they acquire during touring are=20
usually just touched up with a little paint.  When the touched-up areas=20
start to overtake the original paint job, they just get a repaint (or
"extreme makeover" lol).   What do other puppeteers do?

Anne


On Jan 27, 2005, at 11:49 PM, Mathieu wrote:

> Hi all.
> Thanks to all for the suggested solutions for my gloss problem.
> It is solved for some applications.
> The baby powder in the paint sure worked nice! (thanks Anne and Heidi)
> I cant wait to try the transparent face powder!(Thanks Sean!)
>
> Now for the final challenge (for a little while, anyway):
>
> ***What natural varnishes are out there?***
>
> I spent a lot of time online last night to find a natural non toxic
> but strong varnish or protective coating.
> It will be used on puppets and masks, so it has to resist heavy use.
> I want to stop using the spray varnishes. And preferably find a
> natural, home-made option, so that in case a world-wide catastrophy
> causes collapse in art supply production, I could keep working...
> (Almost laughing out loud...)
>
> So I thought about...
> -gelatin...but couldn't find any detail on strenght or permanence. But=20
> I did find a glass glue recipe with it, containing skim milk. No
> details on that either.
> -Rice glue (but found no useful detail on its permanence or
> fragility...)
> -Shellac (but info in many places warned about yellowing and
> cracking.), but I don't like using strong alcohols to dilute it...
> -Egg white (but I'm told it takes 6 months to really dry)
> -Gum arabic (but it is watersoluble)
> -Beeswax (but how permanent is wax? Won't it rub-off?
> -Liquid beeswax (from Eco-house). It contains beeswax, carnauba wax,=20
> and shellac. I like it's subtle sheen, but I don't know how tough it=20
> can really be.
> So...
>
> What's out there that is ready-made (but non toxic) or home-makeable?
> What works great?
> Can it be matte? (fingers crossed)
>
> If no natural solution can be found...
> Of course, I will try the Liquitex matte varnish(not the soluvar) as=20
> soon as money permits.
> But I'm worried, as it said on the bottle(if I remember correctly)
> that it was not supposed to be painted over.
> I do a lot of repaints on my test pieces, and if one is destined for=20
> theatre, it needs to accept retouching.
>
> In the meantime, I still can experiment with what I have left.
> A few liquid varnishes:
> -Flecto varathane crystal clear waterborne diamond Wood Finish.
> (interior, satin finish)
> -Golden Polymer Varnish with UVSL protection (matte) (I never
> succeeded in making it matte)
> -Deco-Art Duraclear gloss interior/exterior varnish (polyurethane)
>
> Maybe adding a bit of baby powder or rubbing alcohol to some of them=20
> might work in making them more matte.
>
> Thanks for any clues or even wacky ideas!
> Invention is nothing without Imagination (was this from Einstein?)
>
> Mathieu René Créaturiste
> Marionnettes, Masques, Etcetera...
> Puppets, Masks, Etcetera...
> creaturiste-AT-magma.ca
> www.creaturiste.com
> (514) 274-8027
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
> Admin interface:
> http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org
>
>

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