| A very interesting little practised craft, is creating
effects with scrap foil. It is a cheap medium to work with, supplies being
obtained freely from the wrappers of sweets, chocolates, biscuits, cigarettes,
and other articles. If one prefers to use new foil, it may be obtained quite
cheaply, and there is no waste at all.
Pictures of your own design, calendars, trays, advertising signs and
firescreens are but a few of the articles that can be made in a wide range
of patterns and colors. Materials required are few, and consist of a piece
of glass, the size of the article being made, cardboard, Indian ink, photographic
paste, and passe partout binding.
As an example, let us begin with a colorful picture of a basket of fs,
selected from a glossy magazine. Most pictures are suitable for this type
of work, but those with small details should be avoided.
Transfer the main outlines of the design on a piece of tracing paper,
then place the blank side of the paper against the piece of glass; back
it with cardboard, and secure the whole with elastic bands or paper clips
to prevent movement. The design should now be seen reversed, as in a mirror.
Thoroughly clean the front of the glass to remove any fingerprints of
greasy patches. With Indian ink, black out all of the background, leaving
the parts that will show the foil clear. When thoroughly dry, apply a
second coat of ink. After allowing that coat to dry, the paper and card
may be removed. Cut the foil roughly to the shapes required, and using
photographic paste, place the pieces in their respective positions on
the inked side of the glass, and smooth the foil gently. If the foil slightly
overlaps the ink, it does not matter; it will not show.
Build the picture up from the center to the outside, and finish one
color before starting on the next. Cover the finished work with paper,
and smooth gently but thoroughly all over to ensure that every part is
firmly fixed. When dry, coat with clear varnish, and leave to set.
Place the backing cardboard into position again, not forgetting to fix
any hangers if they are required, and then bind the edges with passe partout.
Even the smallest piece of foil left over will have a future use, and
every bit however small, should be saved. In the case of buildings, remember
that light windows should be shown in silver or gold foil, an skies should
of course be blue, grass green, etc. |
