| Mostly I work in watercolor, using a technique
of a carefully shaded underpainting with “glazes” of transparent
watercolor applied with an airbrush. Essential to working quickly
and accurately are finely pointed Kolinsky sable brushes, which
can be expensive. To keep my brushes nicely pointed and extend
their useful life, I wash the brush carefully and then dip it
in a dilute bath of cellulose wallpaper sizing. Squeeze out
the excess with a paper towel and shape the brush into a perfect
point. Let dry overnight. The sizing acts like a “hairset gel”
and restores some of the spring and point of a new brush. |
I like to use Metylan® Cellulose Wallpaper Paste
(made by Ross Chemical Company). It’s a non-staining clear paste
in dry powder form designed for use with silk and fabric wallpapers,
and available at most housepaint stores. The powder swells when
soaked in cold water in about 15 minutes and can be easily mixed
with a blender or by hand. Consistency for dipping brushes should
be about that of heavy cream. The paste (mixed to a normal consistency
of soft Jello®) is also very useful for pasting thin rice papers,
fabrics, and for use in collage. Keep mixed paste refrigerated
in closed container between usage. |
