Mold:  Nowell’s #’s 3356 – 3361

Technique:  Sherry L. Porter 

1. To properly prepared bisque, apply 2 smooth, even coats of CTU-8.  Use either a "taklon" or soft "ox hair" brush.  Be sure to allow ample drying time between coats and before proceeding to the next step.  (You may find it helpful to tint the first coat of CTU-8 with a small amount of CT-17 Eggplant, to give it a slight purple tint.  It is much easier to get proper coverage using this process.)
2. Check the piece to be sure that you have completely covered the bisque by brushing a small amount of CTA-4 Antiquing Solution over the entire piece. If any area has not been sealed, it will show as a discolored spot at this point. Simply dry the area with a soft cloth and re-apply CTU-8.
3. You will use an “antiquing” type process to decorate the piece.  Keep in mind that each time you apply a new color over an existing color, you will basically be replacing or just highlighting the previous color, depending upon the technique used.  Antiquing is done using a hog bristle brush, commonly referred to as a “dry brush”.  Apply paint using the size brush most appropriate to the area in which you are working.  Wipe back with a soft, absorbent, lint-free cloth.  Old tee shirt material or blue Shop Towels work very well.
4. Place a small amount of CTB blending media onto one area of your pallet.  Place a small amount of the assigned color in a separate area.  Tip the brush into the blending media, then into the antiquing color.  Working in sections, brush color on, careful to spread it out as you go (a little bit of paint goes a LONG way!!), pat to absorb the excess oil and set the color, then wipe back to expose detail, highlight and create natural shadows.  During this process, if the color looks greasy and is wiping off too much, use less blending media.  If it is “grabbing” too much, use a bit more blending media.  Additional lightening can be done with a small amount of Antiquing Solution on your cloth, wiping gently until desired tone is achieved.
5. To “rouge” color, pick up a small amount of color on your cloth, work it into the cloth using a circular motion on a non-porous surface (glazed tile, shinny side of freezer paper etc.).  This will leave only pigment on the surface of the cloth.  Gently rub the color on to the assigned area.  Repeat this process if a brighter color is desired.

• “Rooster”:

The feathers on the body are to remain the dark chocolate color. The head feathers are CT-07 Red Clay. Rouge on #CT-09 Honey Mustard to highlight. The beak and feet are CT-09 Honey Mustard. Highlight by roughing on CT-10 Sunshine. The comb is CT-06 Bandana Red. Do not wipe the red back, simply pat to absorb the excess oil. This will keep the color darker. Place a small amount of CT-03 Black Tie on your palette. Add a bit of each CTP-1 Gold and CTP-2 Silver Metallic powder to the Black tie. Mix well. Antique the tail feathers with this blend. Randomly rouge CT-14 Deep Teal, CT-13 Jewelry Jade and CT-17 Eggplant onto the tail feathers. Spray Seal with 2 light coats of CTM-1 Matte Spray. Finish eyes with Opaque Stains.

• “Pig”:

After antiquing, use Antiquing Solution to lighten the entire piece. The color for the pig is CT-18 Flesh, tinted with a tiny amount of CT-04 Magenta. Apply this to entire pig; wipe back, leaving a small amount in crevasses to show natural shadows and creases in the body. Stipple on CT-2 20 Dark Chocolate to create spots. Spray seal with 2 light coats of CTM-1 Matte Spray. Finish eyes and hooves with Opaque Stains.

• “Cow”:

After antiquing, use Antiquing Solution to lighten the entire piece. Repeat if necessary, leaving a bit of color in the crevasses. Rouge the entire body with CT-01 White out. The Utters, inner ear and nose are the color made up for the pig. Spray seal with 2 light coats of CTM-1 Matte Spray. Once the spray has dried, paint spots, hooves and eyes with Opaque Stains.

• “Duck”:

After antiquing, lighten the entire piece using Antiquing Solution on your cloth. Repeat if necessary. Place a small amount of CT-01 White out on your palette. Tint with a bit of CT-02 Dolphin. Antique all but the beak and feet with this color. The beak and feet are CT-09 Honey Mustard. Rouge the top of the feet and tip of the beak with CT-08 Orange Juice. Spray seal with 2 light coats of CTM-1 Matte Spray. Finish eyes with Opaque Stains.

• “Sheep”:

After antiquing, lighten the entire piece using Antiquing Solution on your cloth. Repeat the process so that the wool is very light. Rouge the wool several times with CT-01 White Out. The legs, muzzle and ears are antiqued with CT-19 Earth. Rouge the nose and inner ear with the same color used for the pig. Spray seal with 2 light coats of CTM-1 Matte Spray. Finish hooves and eyes with Opaque Stains.

• “Horse”

Antique as directed above. The body of the horse is CT-07 Red Clay. Avoid applying this color to any areas that you will want to have as white spots. The nose, mane and tail are CT-19 Earth. Rouge a bit of this color around the eyes and ears to highlight. Spray seal with 2 light coats of CTM-1 Matte Spray. Finish hooves and eyes with Opaque Stains.

    6.  After the Opaque Stains have dried on all pieces, apply CTB Brush on Glaze to the eyes and hooves.