Rust and How to Paint It! A Special Texturizing Technique!

The old lock on my painting of a door at Fort Loudon is created with a special wash. In order to give the lock a rusty look, I am using a sand-impressed wash.

How to create a sand-impressed wash:

Step 1 - Apply the base color of the metal
The lock and clasp are first based painted with a wash of Indigo and Burnt Sienna. Apply this gray wash to the damp area and let it dry thoroughly. This will be the base color of the iron. The photo of the painting above shows the base coat.

Step 2 - Applying the rust
Over the dry base, drop in a varied mix of Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, and Indigo. Use these in varying amounts to adjust the amount of "rust" desired. The rustier the object, the more Burnt Sienna, the "newer" the more Indigo. Deepen the color in any shaded areas.

Step 3 - Applying the texture
Sprinkle the wet paint surface with sand. See my photo below. I used a jar of decorative sand simply because I found it on sale and it is easy to keep handy in my art studio. Any clean sand will work--play sand or garden sand are easy to find and are inexpensive.

Now for the hardest part of this texturizing technique - let the paint and sand dry completely before brushing off!

Next blog.....the "reveal!" Until next time.......

Happy Painting!
Karen