This is one of those "The pictures don't convey the effect" affairs. I was asked to put some gold leaf scroll work on a tribute locomotive. Normally, if I'm doing a historic restoration, I try to use period tools and methods. But this locomotive was made in the 1940's or 1950's; so I realized that I had a little freedom there with the tools and methods. I decided to apply the asphaltum varnish shading with an airbrush instead of a regular brush. The last time I used this shading, it was tricky to apply. I had to use a German Tohl painting method, not an artist's blending method. So I tried the airbrush, and I was floored. The blend was so smooth that it gave the gold leaf this luminesce which is very satisfying. Again, the pictures don't really show the effect. You'll just have to try it yourself. Tribute Locomotive Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Jim, thanks for the idea. Looks great. If you say the pictures don't show the effect, which looks awesome by the way, I'd love to see it in person. I'm going to try that on a sample piece soon. I've only used asphaltum for glue chip work. Cant wait to try it.
Posted by Ron Percell (Member # 399) on :
Great Job and nice photos James. You should also try Asphaltum-Varnish with Copper Leaf and Aluminum Leaf in the future. Asphaltum-Varnish has a wonderful range of color that starts off golden and then only becomes richer and deeper in tone eventually ending up with Black. Asphaltum-Varnish can easily faux silvers into gold. We sell allot of Asphaltum-Varnish to Faux finishers and Antique Restorers. An example being a wood worker Fauxing wormholes wants the aging patina to look authentic, because of the age of the base pigment asphalt (millions of years old) that Asphaltum-Varnish is Black, it gives the artist the perfect combination to accomplish this task.
Thanks James, Ron Percell
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
So you thinned the Asphaltum with Mineral Spirits? I wonder of it could be slightly tinted with red or dark blue for added colors.
Posted by James Donahue (Member # 3624) on :
Yeah, I think it was mineral spirits; I did the job back in November or December, but just now got around to making the web page. I might have even added a little spar varnish; because the Asphaltum is so color rich that the regular varnish would spread the color out, without it being too runny. As far as color goes, I'm not sure about the blue. It could be great, but the thing is, when I talk about the luminesce of the effect, it's not just a beautiful glow, but a changing of colors. Reds and oranges come and go as you walk by.
