Egg Tempera on a "painted violin"

[JanMoore]

I have volunteered to paint a violin for a fundraising raffle to benefit the Denver Young Artists Orchestra. This is an annual event.

Does anyone have suggestions on applying ET to this surface? I expect I will have to sand it and gesso it first to remove some of the original finish.

I suspect artists in the past have used acrylic which I could do, but since I am an egg tempera painter I would like to show people this medium.

You can see previous work at www.paintedviolin.com

[mark]

that sounds cool,is this going to be played at all or just displayed cuz the paint will change the sound quality.i did it to my guitar and that happen to me

[JanMoore]

Thanks, Mark. What kind of paint did you use on your guitar? How did it hold up to handling?

No, these violins will not be played. They are displayed and treated like a work of art.

[Bert Congdon]

I believe ET is tender, and I would lay down areas of linsead oil and paint ET into the wet oil. So, what do the rest of you think? Bert

[mark]

i used ET and acrylic paints i put the acrylic where i would be touching more,in front of the bridge.have fun painting it,it should be a blast please take pictures to show it off us i would love to see it

[Salamander]

Bert,
Very cool idea! One could get some real depth there perhaps. Layers of oil or stand oil painted in with et. Hmmmm. ideas!
Eric in Oceanside.

[JanMoore]

Thanks for all the ideas!

But I don't understand the linseed oil procedure. I have only painted in a traditional method of ET only, on gesso. I have never experimented with other emulsions or combinations. Can you explain this, please.

[Salamander]

oil paint is very accepting of egg tempera. one can paint directly into wet oil and they will bond together.

[JanMoore]

Would this be directly on the violin surface, or on gesso laid on first?

[Salamander]

I'm guessing that it depends on your desired outcome and vision. Are you going to paint the entire violin with opaque paint? If you are going to simply embellish areas then I would suggest simply painting direct. Violins are generally finished with shellac. Oil paint sticks to but is removeable from shellac.

[Bert Congdon]

I put down a layer of oil medium, I lay the ET on the wet oil, I can work until the oil starts to set up, then I work elsewhere or lay on another coat of oil. The ET sinks through the oil and joins up with what is underneath.
It's like painting over an underpainting. The ET sinks and joins up with the ET underneath. I have allowed this to dry and then finished up with just plain ET, and you cant't see the oil. Works great for hatching. Bert

[Bert Congdon]

Sorry, I forgot :oops: Yes indeed, it is directly on the surface of the violin. No gesso here. I have only used this method on gesso, but I was told that using this method, you can stick ET to anything. Bert

[JanMoore]

I'm nearly finished with the painted violin. I'll share the end result and the process with you later. Today, I'm considering if I should use something to "seal" it and protect from scratches. (I usually finish off an ET painting with a coat of egg, then polish it.) I've read through the forum regarding varnishes, etc., and don't see a solution. Does anyone have any advise?

[turlogh]

Does anyone have any advise?
If people are going to be handling the violin in any way, then you should varnish it (after giving it 8-12 months to cure). If it's just going to hang on a wall, then your regular procedure is probably OK.

[Dimitris C. Milionis]

:arrow: :grin: http://ambervarnish.com/index.php?pr=instruments

[JanMoore]

I'm going to post the images of the completed violin. I ended up having to strip the original finish which revealed a very yellow stain. I rubbed it with red and brown oil paint before starting the ET. I ended up with a final coat of egg and polished it. The thought of ruining it with varnish or any artifical coating was just too frightening. I hope you enjoy the finished product. By the way, the name is "Saint-Saens's Creatures" after the Carnival of the Animals.


http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/9479/creaturebackws3.th.jpg (http://img294.imageshack.us/my.php?image=creaturebackws3.jpg) http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/1742/creaturefrontqs3.th.jpg (http://img404.imageshack.us/my.php?image=creaturefrontqs3.jpg)

[Dimitris C. Milionis]

very interesting 8-)

[Bert Congdon]

It's just absolutely beautiful. I love it. Thank you so very much for posting it. Absolutely Perfect :!: Bert

[JeanM]

Jan, I love the violin :grin: . You had a wonderful concept and executed it beautifully.

[David McKay]

Jan, what a wonderful surprise! I must admit that I didn't know what to expect when I first read about this project, but it is really very special. Love tha birds going up the neck of the violin!! David

[Bert Congdon]

Jan, you did such a terrific job on that violin, that I think you deserve a medal. Wherever it goes, I hope you are properly honored. Bert

[JanMoore]

Thanks to all of you that viewed my violin and all the kudos! I really do appreciate all of the ideas and advice you gave me on how to approach this.

I've delivered the violin to the Denver Young Artists Orchestra and they are photographing all of the violins for their brochure and website. Then the violins will go on tour around Metro Denver so people will buy raffle tickets, including my co-op gallery, Art-Nic. I'm hoping mine will raise the most money.

I'm also hoping this will give me some exposure for my paintings and for egg tempera.

I don't know when the site will be updated with this year's violins, but the web site is: www.dyao.org.

Thanks again to all of you for your suggestions.