PREPPING INSTRUCTIONS FOR SURFACE CHOICES

        Please pass this information on to any students preparing to come to our seminar.  The time frame for whitewashing wood and sealing is critical when it comes to working with the technical pen.  I will be providing this spray for the students to use in class so they will not be required to bring any product with them.

Refer to the sheets with photos attached for the sizes of the pieces being done in class.  Remember that using the projectors in class will allow the students to bring in different sizes as well as surface choices.  Students do not have to adhere to my size suggestions, they can vary the size because the projector will enlarge or reduce as needed.  This makes the entire seminar a fun and really unique experience!

IF WORKING ON CANVAS

Please advise that they use Fredrix Medium grade [red label] for the best results.  There is NO PREP before class.  Just bring to class as is! Please….No Canvas Panels at all. If you cannot find the Fredrix red label stretched canvas, you can buy a pad of Fredrix canvas and just use it taped to a piece of cardboard!  Look for the canary yellow pad with bright red lettering on the front.  Make sure it is actual canvas and not canvas PAPER.

IF WORKING ON WOOD

Please follow these instructions for prepping:

• Sand wood if needed, wipe off dust.  
• Use a rag dampened with water and a squirt of any regular bottled white acrylic paint.  NO White Lightning or Pickling Medium. Use the rag to stain the wood surface with the white paint.  Do not completely basecoat unless the grain is really offensive.  Let dry; evaluate, then repeat if needed.  Set wood aside to dry completely.
• Seal with at least 3 GENEROUS coats of Matte Spray.  Let the spray dry between coats.  If students can not locate Liberty Matte Spray; they can use Americana, or any other brand of sealer.  You will notice the grain of the wood is raised.  Use brown grocery bag or a piece of tracing paper folded into 4ths to buff and smooth the surface; then, dust it off and apply a light misting of the matte spray to give the surface tooth.  This will allow the inking to work over the surface without slipping around over a slick surface.

This process must be done at least 24 hours in advance.

• Do not wait til the last minute.  If you can allow 48 hours it would be even better!
• If the wood has a busy grain and base-coating is desired, use a sponge roller and coat evenly, let dry and seal with the spray I mentioned above.

            IF WORKING ON SLATE

Basecoat with a sponge roller and at least 2 coats of white or off white acrylic paint.  Do NOT wet the roller with water at all; it will leave bubbles on the surface of the slate. Let dry, then seal with 2 light mists of matte spray.  24 hours before class is a must for curing time to be achieved.

IF WORKING ON TIN

Basecoat following the directions for slate.  Sponge rolling achieves an eggshell finish that accepts the inking and rouging wonderfully.  Spray and seal 24 hours before class

            Project sizes for my seminars should be no smaller than 8 x 10 and no larger than 11 x 14.