FOLK  FANCIES  
Designs for the Decorative Painter
by Susan V. Cochrane

Painting Techniques Used in These Patterns
(Definition of Terms)
 Techniques - 1    

HIGHLIGHT AND SHADING (FLOATED COLOUR):  In this technique, one colour floats over another using transparent paint with a consistency somewhat looser than bottled acrylic. The consistency will vary according to each individual hue. If your bottled acrylic is very opaque, more water will be needed to thin the pigment than if the colour is already transparent, in which case only very little water is required. You may both shade (referring to darker values) and highlight (referring to lighter values) using this technique. The desired end result is an even gradation of paint from one side of the bristles to no paint on the other. When applied, there will be no stripes but an even blending of paint, going from strongest to lightest (no paint). Choose the widest brush possible for the task at hand and with which you are most comfortable. The larger the brush, the better the blend.

Dampen the area to be highlighted or shaded with water. You may often choose to use extender for nicer blends and more open time, but this product takes much longer to dry and all floats must be thoroughly dry before subsequent applications. Using a flat (shader) or angular brush, wet the bristles and shake off the excess,  press the bristles onto a paper towel until most of the shine disappears. This will take patience and practice, too little water and the float will be solid, like a basecoat, too much water and the paint will puddle away and you will have to mop it up. Two methods can now be used separately or together on the same project:

1. Two Colour Loading:  load one corner of the bristles with a small amount of background colour, blend, then sideload the same corner with the colour to be floated, then blend again. To blend, stroke the bristles on your palette first on one side, then flip the brush over and blend the other side. You must blend the first colour part way into the bristles by moving the bristles just a touch into the colour then gradually moving them into more colour until there is paint 60 - 70%  across the bristles of the brush (this is a more or less figure which will vary from painter to painter). Blend the second colour as well, only it will not  go as far, only about 20-30%. Apply the float by starting a tiny distance from the edge then immediately stroke over starting right at the edge. Drying time is very short with acrylics, if you find that you have run out of water when blending on the palette, dip the corner of the bristles without paint into water, blend quickly, and continue on. If the applied colour starts to lift instead of laying down, stop and let it dry, then repeat the step. Many applications will be required to give the required depth and intensity (read about Jo Sonja's Clear Glazing Medium for even more depth).
   

2. One Colour Loading:  load one corner of the bristles with a small amount of the colour to be floated. Blend well to fade out paint along the bristles and apply to the area to be highlighted or shaded. Layer floats several times as required allowing thorough drying between applications.

BACK TO BACK FLOAT (CENTER FLOAT):  Sometimes also called a Double Reverse Float. Dampen the area to be highlighted or shaded first. Float the colour along the center of an area, flip the brush over or turn the piece around and float the colour next to the first float.  You could also load the paint into the center of a flat brush and blend well on the palette. The end result will be colour in the center where applied and not at the edges.

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Remember ... darker values will make an area recede (shading),
 lighter values will make an area advance (highlighting)!

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Techniques 2

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Copyright Susan V. Cochrane, 2008.