Materials:
an old or new unfinished piece of wooden furniture (table, chest, chair, etc.)
fine sandpaper and wiping cloth
metal leaf (silver, gold or copper)
glue sizing (if using an unfinished piece, use white craft glue to adhere leaf )
application brush
acrylic varnish and brush
latex paint in desired color
pointed ends of paintbrushes, rubber erasers, cotton swabs, an old wine cork
Steps:
- Wipe piece with damp cloth, lightly sand paying particular attention to any rough spots and wipe again with a clean cloth.
- Apply metal leaf to wood surface using either sizing glue or white craft glue. Brush an area with glue, let it get tacky and then lay a sheet of leaf over the top of the area. Press into place. Repeat until surface is covered and let dry overnight .
- Lightly brush off any loose leaf and then apply a coat of chosen latex paint.
- Working quickly before the paint dries, use swabs, a wine cork and/or the pointed ends of paintbrushes to incise (cut into) the paint to reveal the metal leaf. Use anything to draw into the wet paint but be very careful not to remove any of the leaf underneath. Experiment with various items on a scrap piece of board to create random patterns or scenic images if desired.
- Coat with acrylic varnish to protect surface.
Tip: Try combinations like silver leaf and Chinese red paint, copper leaf and dark green or gold leaf and red or white paint.
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