The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Furniture Finishing
PAINTED WORK
Lamps, picture frames and the polyehromed portions of stained furniture are given the pigmented wax treatment over the top finish coat, the grayish tone appearing in all depressions, usually in addition to the antique glaze to enhance the aged effect and counterbalance the brightness of the paint colors. If the paint be applied thick with a coarse brush, the resulting ridges will also catch and hold a certain proportion of the wax after the wiping has taken place. (See Polychrome, Chapter XI.)
Stipple Glazing and Venetian Work
STIPPLE glazing, known otherwise as flat stippling, because it is applied over a smooth surface, must be distinguished from raised stippling which is described elsewhere. The purpose is much the same as for antique shading, i. e., to lend variety to a plain background, to soften bright colors and to give a certain aged effect. It is somewhat easier to produce than shading in that the glaze is mottled all over the paint or lacquer enamel body color instead of being blended out here and there. Like shading it may be used for antiquing or for novelty color effects with the same glaze mixtures and color combinations as described in Chapter II for hand and spray work respectively.
HAND STIPPLING
The working procedure calls for a stubby stiff-bristled brush or a coarse sponge cut in half and moistened with benzine. With either of these the freshly applied pigment antique or japan color glaze is tapped until the entire surface takes on a uniform mottled appearance. New patterns may be created by varying the pressure and adding to twisting motions of the hand at the same time as tapping. It is even possible to employ a whisk broom, a roll of crumpled newspaper or a similar ball of muslin, and the glaze may be brushed on thin as for shading or considerably heavier in consistency.
Everything depends on the fineness or coarseness of the pattern desired. In all cases, however, the tips of the brush should be wiped from time to time with a clean rag, the sponge wrung out at intervals in benzine, the newspaper discarded for a clean ball and the muslin rerolled in order to present that clean stippling surface which alone can insure against a smeared job. For the novice it is always best to practice first on a painted test panel until assurance is gained.
SPRAY STIPPLING
The spray method is quite different giving rather the hazy effect of rippled clouds, in fact, it is rather like irregular shading. The glaze may be made up of oil or japan colors reduced very thin with benzine, distemper colors thinned with vinegar or lacquer enamel cut one part to three or four of reducer.
