Tuesday

Black distressed finishes

Gesso, red, black, bronze powder gilt.

Primer, red, black, bronze powder gilt.

Two frames with variations of the same finish, the moulding reference is A160 from Rose and Hollis and they are for one of our favourite artists: Jeremy Houghton. We have used lots of variations of this moulding for his work, from simple black paint (Plaka) and wax to water gilded and distressed paint finishes.
The top frame has a gesso base which fills the grain and adds real texture and interest to the surface, this was exaggerated by applying the gesso so it gets lots of air holes and with rough brush strokes. The bottom frame does not have any gesso base, instead Zinsser BIN primer is used, so the wood grain is still visible. The sight edge on both frames is finished in bronze powder which is then distressed. Both frames were distressed all over with 0000 wire wool, this also creates a polish to the Plaka, and also 800 grit wet and dry paper. The frames were finished with a coat of wax and a final polish.