File puptcrit/puptcrit.0902, message 665


From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Mathieu_Ren=E9?= <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:07:13 -0500
Subject: [Puptcrit] Painting Tip: matte paint


Hi all.

I am painting my new glove puppets, and one tip has been very useful to me, 
so I thought I'd pass it on.

To make any acrylic paint totally matte, all you need to add is a bit of 
joint compound to the color, once it is mixed. The small amount necessary to 
mattify will lighten the color slightly, but you can take that into 
consideration when first making the color batch. Joint compound is not as 
flashy white as white paint, so the "pasteling" effect is not going to be 
too strong.

I was looking for a classic, old, slightly dusty look, and I got it, thanks 
to this tip.

This painting job can be antiqued (wash of darker paint, painted all over 
but immedaitely wiped off).
Once perfectly dry, a coat of protection can be applied to make the finish 
last even longer. Depending on the project, I either use clear shoe polish 
(which I apply while hot) or a spray fixative (such as a matte varnish). 
Shoe polish does add gloss however, but it's a deep, more natural sheen, 
since it is wax based.

Pics coming later today.
Gotta catch some Zzz before I dare paint the tiny eyes and assemble the 
puppet with the costume.

Extra tip:
I was struggling with some unfamiliar colors tonight until I remembered the 
color theories that actually work. You see, what they teach us in schools 
about paint color mixing only truly applies to light color theories 
(Newton?). What we need to get the right results everytime is a theory that 
applies to paints specifically. That's when the School of Colors comes into 
play.
I like their approach to teach us how to mix any paint, of any brand, and 
always get the colors we want. No more unwanted muddy colors! Those theories 
make mixing colors very easy, and actually save me time and money.  I like 
the book "Blue and Yellow Don't Make Green". I borrowed it a few times at 
the public library.  I should buy it for myself someday, would be useful in 
my library.  Years ago I bought their color-coded palette for watercolors, 
and I do use it when I have the chance to paint in watercolors.  I don't 
work the same way at all in acrylics (I like to mix as I go, and be messy 
about it), so I wonder if I would like one for that kind of paint...

Here's their website:
http://www.schoolofcolor.com/acatalog/







_______________________________________________
List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
Archives: http://www.driftline.org

   

Driftline Main Page

 

Display software: ArchTracker © Malgosia Askanas, 2000-2005