Box Update

More time spent on the box this afternoon, before the rugby starts. I fixed a tack on the inside which was making the tray stick.

I also finished all the green gold layers and worked on the design. I used ink and fine brush and once the ink is dry....I can start the 'proper' painting. I am really enjoying this and have already started scouring Ebay for other boxes to decorate.....

Outside the box

This is a little segue from my usual work...but something I am very excited about.


A friend has given me a wooden trinket box - very plain and basic and obviously handmade 20-odd years ago, to restore and decorate. I thought I would share the restoration on here.

It is made of ply (I think) and what looks like a recycled drawer. The inside has a crude tray and the entire box is about 12" x 9" x 7" deep.First job was to remove the hinges and clasp...not an easy task as they had clearly been in a while. Not something you can use a power tool on!!
The hinges were once brass I think....
So time for some trusty brasso courtesy of Evenlode DIY and 3 episodes of the Simpsons later....voila!











Now for the box itself....

I already know what design I am going to paint.
The background is going to be green-gold and the design aboriginal in style.

So 3 coats of gold over primer to start with:














And next the first layers of phthalo green and sap green....














The entire process of layering gold and greens will have to be repeated a few times to build up the intense effect. Then it will be time to start overpainting the picture. Watch this space!!