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Signmaking 101: Blended Backgrounds

Hand Lettering topics: Sign Making, Design, Fabrication, Letterheads, Sign Books.

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Larry White
Posts: 1213
Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2004 4:18 am

Signmaking 101: Blended Backgrounds

Post by Larry White »

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As taught to me by Rick Glawson...

Divide the area for the blend into thirds. The center third gets the lightest value of the color. The outter half of the end thirds get the deepest value, and the inner half of the outter thirds get a middle value. This middle value is often created by mixing the light and dark values together.
When mixing the paint, I prefer to use japan colors, extend the paint with an equal amount of Smith's Cream. A small amount of Linseed Oil or Slow size can be added to also extend the open time of the paint.
Ox hair japan brushes work best for blending. Mark the indicated 1/3 and 1/2 lines on the front of the glass. Paint the light value color into the middle third section. Paint the middle value color into the middle half section. Then with the japan brush, break the color intersection diagonally back and forth to rough up the line between the color and start the blending of the two. Then blend back and forth 5 or 6 times, then up and down 5 or 6 times moving progressively outward then back over the area you've blended. Inspect from the front (without any light shining through the paint) to insure adequate blend. Blend more as required. It's okay if some brush marks show. Repeat the process with the darker color on the ends. After the paint is dry, back-up the entire area with the middle value color only. Trying to lighten or darken the blend by painting the back with a lighter or darker color won't work. Always test your colors on a scrap piece of glass first or place some clear static cling to your panel and test there.
For the red blends use straight Bulletin Red for the center, straight Arterial Red for the outter, and a mixture of the two for the middle.
For green blends use CP Green Light mixed with Chrome Yellow Light for the center color, use Prussian Blue and French Yellow Ochre for the dark color and a mixture of the two for the middle color. This mixture of colors gives a nicer color than blending with the various shades of green japans that get a bit muddy when blended.
For the blue blends use Bulletin Blue for the center and Prussian Blue for the darker.
For examples of these blends look through my website, http://www.walljewelry.com
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Larry White
That's enough for now... it's gettin' late
Town Of Machine
http://www.walljewelry.com
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