How do you ANTIQUE a carving?

[Donna_T]

I am curious as to if and when you ANTIQUE a carving. If you do, what process do you use?
Donna_T

[Dan Wegiel]

Re: How do you ANTIQUE a carving?

Hi Jude,
I\'m sure there are some great carvers here that have different ways of aging and hopefully they will help. Through trial and error this is what I came up with and remember its only my 2 penny\'s worth, I also always carve in found wood. Generally don\'t sand the piece very smoothe unless the piece requires it, shell, beak, eyes, etc., then I apply Walnut Danish Oil which penetrates into the rough/distressed parts of the wood adds age immediately to it, a little like distressing a piece of furniture. Hope this helps and good luck antiquing.
Dan

[Arthur C.]

Re: How do you ANTIQUE a carving?

Donna, there are several items that will influence what approach you may want to take. First, what wood are you using? For example, if you used oak or any wood with a good bit of tannins, you may want to consider fuming with ammonia. Second, what type of finish have you used? For example, many will antique after finishing by painting a darker stain or paint on, then wiping off to leave it darker in crevices, but in using a finish like shellac, you could not use a water based product on top. Third, some will distress a piece by introducing dings and dents to the surface to make it look like it has had a life of normal wear and tear.

Lots of ways to antique, just be sure that the treatments you use are compatible and think through what effect you want to achieve.

Hope this helps!

[Merle Rice]

Re: How do you ANTIQUE a carving?

Hi Donna, I have always used Watco Dark Wax over my Carvings that I have Painted. I put Poly U on before the Wax that way it won\'t mess up the Paint, ( I just know ) Ha,Ha. Merle

[Bob K.]

Re: How do you ANTIQUE a carving?

Hi Donna...I only carve basswood so these 2 methods I use apply to basswood carvings.

First you need to make your antiquing medium. Dissolve about one inch of Burnt Umber oil paint in about 1/2 pint of mineral spirits (paint thinner). Then add about 1 1/2 pints of boiled linseed oil. Store this in a tightly sealed container.

Process #1: After painting your carving, brush on a liberal coat of your antiquing medium. Let it soak in for a minute or two, then wipe off the excess with a paper towel. (NOTE: Never discard your paper towels in the garbage. Paper towels soaked with boiled linseed oil can self ignite and cause a fire. Either let them dry outdoors for a day or two, or soak them in water before throwing them in the garbage).
After letting the carving dry for 24 hrs and then apply a thin coat of Deft Satin spray. You can use Deft semi-gloss spray if you want a little bit of a glossy finish. Do a little experimenting.

This next method I learned from my good friend, Tom Ellis (here on the forum).
Process #2: Brush on Watco danish oil, and let set overnight. Then apply a coat of Deft satin spray.
Brush on a coat of Minwax golden oak stain, and wipe off right away.
Then I apply a final coat of Deft satin spray finish.

WARNING. If you don\'t put on the deft before the stain, you will ruin your carving...and if you put on a second coat of Deft, it will hardly take any stain. Do a little experimenting.

[Nancy-G]

Re: How do you ANTIQUE a carving?

The mixture Bob K wrote is what I used to use -- and love. I added a couple drops of Cobalt Dryer.

Susie Mattox uses some great stuff. I hope she will be here and give us her recipe.

[Soggy]

Re: How do you ANTIQUE a carving?

I guess the best way to create an antique looking carving is to carve it 50 years ago,.. but since that\\\\\\\'s not possible I use the same method as Bob K . I believe that I first came across that formula in a Mike Shipley book and have been using it since.
Wayne

[Tom Ellis]

Re: How do you ANTIQUE a carving?

Bob, I might add that I put on the Watco Danish oil before I paint. Then paint, then I brush on a liberal coat of Deft so I can scrub it into the hair, and areas that are hard for the spray to get to. Then Golden Oak stain, wipe off right away, and then a final coat of spray Deft Satin. Has worked pretty well for me thru the years.

Tom

[Bob K.]

Re: How do you ANTIQUE a carving?

Thanks, Tom! I forgot that little piece of information. The Watco Danish Oil helps to control the paint and allows me to use thin layers of paint...for me anyway. I have also used boiled linseed oil (BLO) in place of the Danish Oil at times with good success.

[Donna_T]

Re: How do you ANTIQUE a carving?

Thanks to all of you for the benefit of your sage wisdom and experiences. I think I have tried most of these processes with varying degrees of success (allowing for operator error). I am always on the lookout for better ways of achieving \"the look\" I want on Santas, since that\'s about the only caricature I carve.

Donna_T