Background Behind Chipping

Bobbie Rochow · Post by **Bobbie Rochow** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:55 pm

My first, & ***VERY*** important question is.....If you are not going to leaf the chipping, what else can you do? What would look nice behind the CLEAR chipped glass?

I have a couple of customers interested in some glasswork, & I am excited, but a bit nervous!

One more question....I guess since the silver leaf tarnishes, it is not practical for leafing the chipping in silver right? And I guess you COULD however, use white gold for gilding the chipped parts?

Thank you!

Kelly Thorson · Post by **Kelly Thorson** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 7:01 pm

Hi Bobbie,
My favourite treatment for glue chipping is to size it with fast size and using a mop, dust on mica powders and then back it with a matching colour. It gives a subtle classy look that really accents the chipping and yet isn't overpowering. Gold in chipping is a very powerful effect, unless it is meant to be the focal point of your piece, I'd choose another technique. (Silver is pretty bold as well.)
I've also achieved some great effects by using an antiquing glaze in chipping before painting or leafing. Asphaltum glazes backed with gold leaf are really rich.
If you want to leave the chipping clear you can back it with fabric or mat board.

Bobbie Rochow · Post by **Bobbie Rochow** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 7:34 pm

Thank you Kelly. I have never used mica powders before, & don't know anything about them, so I guess those are out, at least for now. But if I choose to attach a piece of cloth or matboard behind it, what color would you choose? Something dark or a lighter color, to see the chipping best?

One piece is my husband's family crest, & the outside area is chipped. The other one is a gift for a friend that has a clipper ship that will be reverse painted, the crests on the waves done in abalone, & the outside area, the sky, is all chipped. It looks neat, the chipped swirls remind me of angry clouds on a stormy sea. I was thinking maybe of a dark greyish blue behind it or something? I guess I need to hold some colors up behind it to see.

I know I need to research & look at other's work more. Next I intend on doing maybe something like a reproduction of a pub sign, something in that line.

Post by **Danny Baronian** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:24 pm

Hi Bobby,

sometimes less is more.

Check these out for ideas:

The first link hang in Bill's hallway. The walls are painted a tan or beige, and look good either way:

http://billhueg.com/glass/index5.htm

http://www.avilasigndesign.com/index.as ... o=1&item=1

http://www.avilasigndesign.com/index.as ... o=1&item=6

http://www.avilasigndesign.com/index.as ... o=1&item=9

silvered background:

http://www.goldenstudios.com/glassart/billiard.htm

If you do want to do a color, put it behind the glass and see if it enhances or takes away from your work. Bold, bright colors will usually overpower and distract from your work.

Take a black, gray or white card or smooth cloth, put it behind your piece to see what works best. The depth of the frame and the distance between the glass and the back also make a difference. You could also make a shadow box - a deep frame, leave the chipped glass clear, and cover the back of the frame with smaltz or velvet.

You can silver chipped glass, but you'll most likely have to gild the chipped areas at least 3 times for good coverage, then back up as usual. That's where chemical deposition is a better way to achieve a silvered background.

Danny

Bobbie Rochow · Post by **Bobbie Rochow** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:38 pm

Danny, thank you so very much! They are all so beautiful, & are giving me some great ideas!!!!