And now for something completely different … it’s been all about the convention so far, so here is a
little bit of painterly information from Chairman, Sharon.
Shading & Highlighting
Floating with water:
Make sure your base-coated work is completely dry first. Floating paint is a great way to add shading
and highlighting. I like floating with an angle brush although a flat can be used if preferred. Wet the
angle brush with water , blot lightly on damp kitchen roll so that there is a soft sheen rather than a
shine and add paint to one corner only – blend the paint brush on the palette first, keeping the side
without paint on it away from the paint – sometimes called ‘walking’ the brush away.
Using ALL the tips of the bristles, so that the paint fades away (otherwise you will just get an outline),
let the brush travel away from where you started shading/highlighting so that you get a soft gradation
of colour. Try to avoid going over and over the same area as you will end up with a hard line and a
slight ridge of paint. You can soften a float with a good mop brush, using a gentle patting motion.
Several layers (drying well in between) can strengthen shades and highlights and a general rule is
that the first layer is wide and each subsequent float is smaller until the desired effect is achieved.
Floating with retarder:
Retarder can be applied directly to a base-coated surface that is completely dry, using a flat or angle
brush. Tilt the surface in the light to ensure that it is not sparkling up at you! There should be NO
puddles visible. I sometimes use the palm of my hand to partly remove and spread the retarder out,
usually beyond the area being worked. Remember that retarder slows the drying time of paint and
will dry first from the outside edge in. You should see a soft ‘sheen’ on the surface.
I don’t like water in my brush when using retarder as they can work against each other. Retarder can
be applied directly to the brush in place of water, lightly blot onto damp kitchen roll. Blend on the
palette first as above. It is important not to have the brush or the surface too juicy as the paint will not
adhere– I sometimes refer to the project and the brush being as fussy as Goldilocks; needing to be
‘just right’!
Continue to float using the same methods as above.
Dry Brushing:
I like to add soft gentle highlights to my work. Load your favourite dry brush in the desired lighter
colour – work the paint into the bristles really well then gently wipe almost all of it out onto kitchen
roll. I like to touch the bristles onto the back of my hand and if it feels wet or cold, there is still too
much paint on the bristles. Wipe the brush out gently again. Repeat if necessary.
To begin with – VERY gently stroke the brush onto the area to be highlighted so that you can see
how much paint is coming off – if you have got it right you will not see anything happen straight
away! Gradually, gradually, gradually increase pressure as you grow more confident of achieving a
soft powdery highlight.
Happy Painting,
Sharon