Artist Code 2101. Completed 10th May 2021. Commission to colour in a bronze resin house plaque, made over 25 years ago (having lost all its original colours). Acrylic (with gel barrier and two coats of satin varnish)
This beautiful bronze resin house plaque was made by Belvoir Vale Studio Ltd around 1989, based, I think, on a painting by wildlife artist Steven Burrows. Even though I searched the Internet and posted on Facebook for information, no one came forward. It is a lovely piece of artwork.
The “naked” plaque (having lost all its paint) received a good wash with warm soapy water and soft brush and scrubbed up very nicely. I read up on what was the best paint to use for the plaque and everywhere recommended acrylic (I hate painting with this medium, but knew it had to be done!). But first it said to clean it then put it outside to dry naturally. I did a bit more reading and it was suggested that, as bronze resin is porous the surface should be sealed, so I gave it two coats of white acrylic primer. Deciding what colours to paint, without any resources, was quite a task. In the end I plumped for a dark brown rim and pale blue background.
In order to protect the acrylic paint from the final varnish layer applied over the top, a barrier layer was required which helps to seal the paint and, if varnish needs to be removed later because it has yellowed, the barrier should protect the acrylic paint from lifting off with the varnish layer. I used a soft-gel isolation medium which is mixed with water 3:1 parts and applied with a brush. I let it dry for 24 hours, then applied a second coat. The mixture is very milky when mixed and during application, but is clear once dried. I left this to dry thoroughly for two days.
Once thoroughly dried, the plaque was ready for its final varnish coating. I used a satin acrylic varnish which dries to a shine midway between gloss and matt. Two days’ later I applied a second and final coat of varnish.
Belvoir Vale Studio had a copyright notice on the underside of the plaque by way of a now tatty little gold label. To protect their copyright I printed out another gold label with the information on and added another with a note saying “Notwithstanding the copyright of Belvoir Vale Studio 1989, this plaque was repainted for the owner by Tina Bone May 2021 (Tinasfineart.uk) Acrylic+barrier”.
This was a wonderful commission – something totally different to 2D painting on paper or canvas (and I truly appreciate that this was someone else’s beautiful work, which I had the privilege of re-embellishing with colour.
