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Today we have much of the same options. The powders are available which can be mixed with any pre-made oil paint mediums. They can be mixed with acrylic mediums or can be topped off with the tinted shellac as well.
Rather than deal with powders, you can purchase metallic paints that are premixed. Avoid those that contain Thulene as they are very toxic. Their colors are very bright but are not worth the hazard. There is acrylic based gold, (somewhat dull) Odds and Ends (linseed oil based) Midget ( plastic based) and One Shot (may contain lead) and Krylon brands.
I do not use the antique gold in any brand as the paint will tarnish with age to this shade and the paint seems to be "hotter" and will curdle any undercoat that has not cured out for several days. This makes it more difficult to work with. The copper shades also age more quickly so I avoid these as well.
Pictures 2 and 3 shows an angel that is primed with chocolate brown, then dry brushed with dark rust brown. The gold is then applied by brushing across the carving in order for the brown to show through. This gives a rich antique gold effect. When applying on a smooth surface the next important factor is the brush strokes. Apply the paint by placing it on a VERY smooth surface with strokes going in the same direction. DO NOT go back and forth. As the medium is a "hot" mix do not go back and touch up as you paint as it may curdle the paint you have already applied. Wait at least a day with oil based or until complete dry with acrylic based to do any touch up. If you apply a second coat it will take care of any touch-up and add more depth and finish to your project.
Good luck with your gold project and if you have any questions be sure to e-mail by clicking Here. PHOTO CREDITS Odds and Ends, manufactured by Plasti-kote of Medina, Ohio, 44256
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The key thing
to remember is that none of the paints contain anything that will make the
gold durable. If you are going to apply it to a high wear area you must top it
off with a durable clear coat of some type. This is also necessary for real
gold leaf as well. Both paint and the real Gold Leaf will tarnish. The clear
coat will slow down this process.
Picture 1 shows
a carousel figure that has been done with Gold Leaf, gold paint and silver
paint. It would be difficult to tell which areas are which unless a very close
inspection is done. This is a reproduction of the actual Looff horse that
rides on the Spokane Carrousel. The real "Prince" is done entirely in gold and
silver paint.
The main trick
in applying gold paint in the undercolor or prime coat. It must be flat,
meaning when dry it has no luster. It should be a color. A dull Army green
under brass or a light gold, a rusty brick red under a warm gold, a dark
black-brown under a antique gold effect. You can mix this undercolor by using
a flat paint such as flat black with red oil pigments or red enamel. The green
is done by mixing either white primer or flat white with green and orange. Be
sure this base color is completely dry before applying the gold. This means at
least 24 hours for oil based paints.
Picture 4 shows
gold stitching, a gold stencil with shadows to look like brocade and gold
tassels tinted with tube oil paint as it is applied. There is also a smooth
gold application on the bit and jewel circle. The fun of painting with the
metallic paints is in the different effects that can be achieved. You can: Mix
the tube oils and enamels to get tinted golds and silvers. (This will slow
down their drying time) Swirl it into wet paint for a marble effect or
splatter the gold dust on wet paint for a lapaluzzi look. Stencil with it and
then outline it for depth. One coat is subtle, two coats is outstanding. Dip a
comb or fork in the paint and drag it across a wet or dry painted surface. Dry
brush it on a carved surface that is based coated any darker color. Mix the
chrome or silver paint with white enamel and another color for a pearlescent
look as in Picture 5. The band organ in Picture 6 shows the aged, tarnish
gold. The same band organ in Picture 7 after restoration with a stenciled
surround in the background.
Clean up: With
most premixed golds, other than One Shot, there is such an active dryer in the
paint that it will dry on your brush while sitting in paint thinner. Pre-clean
your brush by rubbing in oil painting medium, or linseed oil, or lacquer
thinner, or even Neets Foot Oil. Then wipe the brush and proceed to clean with
regular paint thinner. Do not use your cleaning thinner for cleaning any of
your other paint brushes unless they are then cleaned with soap and dried
before reusing. The "hot" mixture left in the brushes and thinner may effect
your other paint applications otherwise.
