BASICS INSTRUCTIONS by Mary McLean C.D.A

Brushes Decorative Artists who paint in oils should maintain a separate set of brushes from those that they use for other mediums. They should be cleaned carefully and stored in a suitable manner. If your tools are in perfect shape, the achievement of results will be less frustrating.

TYPES Choose a short bristled flat brush, sometimes referred to as a short bright or shader. The longer flat brushes are unsuitable for blending as they allow too much flexibility and cause uneven technique. Winsor & Newton series 510 or Loew Cornell series 7450 are a short, flat chiseled edge synthetic brushes that easily produce the desired effect.

CLEANING Brushes should be thoroughly cleaned after each painting in order to maintain a sharp, chiseled edge. Initial cleansing may occur in odorless brush cleaner (turp). Take great care to pull the brush in one direction...keeping the brush on its side and never bending the tips of the brush. Always keep the cover of the cleaning fluid jar closed. Paint tends to hide near the metal part of the brush. I use Decomagic brush cleaner to complete the process.

PATTERNS Traced patterns are the heart and soul of the Decorative Painter. Take great care when preparing and transferring the pattern.

TRACING Always trace the pattern in with a sharp pencil. This will allow you to correct any problems in the original drawing. Prove any container in the design by folding the object in half, observing that both sides should match, and erasing the side that is incompatible and correcting the shape .

TRANSFER OF DESIGN Tape the traced design in the appropriate place, slip transfer paper underneath and transfer the design with a stylus. Get in the habit of always starting in the same place and proceeding from that point. Do not press hard into the wood as this could cause indentation.If the transfer is too harsh, I use masking tape to remove some of the transfer.

SURFACE PREPARATION A well prepared surface is the key to a successful project. Sand and tack rag the surface. Seal the wood, let dry, and sand the raised grain. Lightly tack rag again. Use a sponge roller to apply acrylic background. Roll in all directions until the shine begins to turn matte. Apply one coat, check for raised areas, lightly sand and tack. Apply a second coat when the first coat feels room temperature. If a third coat is needed, wait for a while till the surface drys. Ideally, pattern should not be applied till the paint is cured.

SURFACE FINISH A good finish is the ultimate compliment to a well painted project. Choose a good final varnish such as Krylon Satin or Blair Satin Tole. Follow the directions carefully. Apply the spray in a warm area in a healthful manner. Wet sand with 1000 Wet Dry Sand paper every two coats. Wax and buff for a lustrous final effect.