How to Create Antique Effects with Varnish

Although at Alas y Cia Granada we make angels and nativities, I often use the varnishing techniques used in decoupage to create antique finishes on our angel figurines.

We often use the two varnish techniques to achive the antique effect of cracked varnish, which imitates the real crackling that occurs with age on much varnished work, whether it is a painting or a fired figurine.

The principal of this technique is to employ two varnishes that dry at
different speeds and cause a crackling of the surface of the second varnish.


There are many ways to achieve this effect - here are two we use-

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Figurine
• White acrylic paint
• Latex based varnish
• Gum Arabic
• or
• two product varnish kit
• Oil paint diluted with Turpentine, or tinted wax
• acrylic based varnish for sealing

1. The first uses a two product kit sold by many manufacturers of arts and crafts materials. You usually paint on one or two coats of the first varnish. When it is dry you apply one coat of the second varnish. As it dries, cracks appear on the surface. Each manufacturer will have the instructions on the pack.

2. The second uses a more traditional technique. First you apply one or two good coats of a latex based varnish. The names of these latex varnishes will vary from country to country - your arts or crafts shop will be able to tell you which one to select.

3. When it has dried, you then apply a well worked in coat of Gum Arabic. You can use your fingers to work it in. Dry this second varnish . When dry, cracks will appear.

4. With both methods. You then carefully apply a coat (patina) of tinted wax or diluted oil paint or diluted acrylic paint and wipe it off. The colour stays in the cracks and enhances them.

5. You then seal with a protective coat of compatible varnish. (If you are using abrasive materials as your patina, you may need to protect your crackled surface with a compatible varnish before you apply the patina.)

6. 
    
   Antique Style Italian Cherub Font

   And Hey presto! you have a genuine antique varnished finish that has
   cracked with age.

Tips & Warnings

• you can use a hair dryer to hurry things up When drying the varnishes, especially when using the traditional gum arabic