Question:
How do I apply opaque stains ?
Antiquing
When antiquing, only remove colour from raised areas of a piece, leaving colour in crevices to accent the detail.
If you wipe off too much colour when wiping off translucent stains, you can re-apply and start the process all over again.
The amount of translucent stain you leave on a piece will determine the lightness or darkness of your entire finished piece.
Coat coverage
Usually one coat coverage of a piece with opaque stains is all that is necessary. You might find, however, that lighter colours require two. If you are trying to cover a darker colour with a lighter shade, you may need several coats.
apply stains smoothly
It is important to apply stains as smoothly as possible. Any blobs or over-lap lines that are not brushed out during application will show on the finished piece
Create a marble effect
You can create a marble effect using your translucent stains. Simply pour a bit of several contrasting colours into a container of water large enough to emmerse your bisque piece. Stir the water with stain on top of it slightly and immediately dip your bisque piece into it. The colour will adhere to the bisque leaving a marbled appearance. Be sure to hold piece in a non-vital area and do the dipping quickly. You can spray fix after it''s dry.
Lace and stains
You may not know it but you can accomplish a variety of techniques in the lace draping field by using opaque stains mixed with white glue. Simply mix the two together, soak lace in the mixture and add to an already stained piece, such as a doll for decoration the lace will dry hard and you will have the colour you want
Brush techniques
Opaque stains are ideal for use in brush techniques. The colours lend themselves to mixing and blending well
Knowing where you have missed.
If you experience difficulty in seeing what areas of your bisque you have or have not covered with white opaque stain, you can dampen your piece lightly with a sponge and those areas that you have missed will show up and through, usually a little on the yellowish side.
Bisque for stains
The best type of bisque for stains is that which has been fired to cone 06.
Keeping Stains
When you open a jar of stain be sure to clean the inside of the lid as soon as possible. If necessary let the lid soak to remove excess colour. Once a dirty lid is replaced on a jar and the colour dries, it is a real chore to remove again.
An opaque stain
An opaque stain is a colour in the ceramic range of medias, which means it is solid in colour and cannot be seen through.
Absorbing stains
If you are having trouble getting bisque pieces to absorb stains the way you think they should, try a vinegar and water solution rub down as the last step in cleaning. Don't over-do it as the vinegar will eat into greenware if left unchecked.
Buff opaque stains
If you do not like to use spray fixative it is possible to buff opaque stains to a satin-like sheen. Not all products will work this way so be sure to experiment a bit before attempting it on your favourite piece. A soft cloth like a diaper is ideal.
applying opaque stains
You may find the going a bit easier when applying opaque stains to bisque if you slightly mist the piece with water. Since your opaques are waterbase, the slight dampening will allow the colour to flow on more easily.
Spatter on colours
For an unusual decorating technique, you can spatter on colours by loading a brush with colour, bending back the bristles and letting the paint fly. Also called flecking, the size of the drops you get is determined by how heavily you load your brush.
Antiquing with opaques
Although most techniques call for antiquing with translucent stains, this same technique can be accomplished with opaques by thinning colours to half-water.
Drying time
The drying time for translucent stains is longer than that for opaque stains.
Sealing stain work
Sealing stain work allows you to use a damp rag for dusting and cleaning without damaging your piece.
Sealers for stains are available in matte, semi-gloss or gloss finish and come in either spray-can or in brush-on form.
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| Guru Spotlight |
| Patricia Walters-Fischer |
