Painters Online Logo

Login/register

Studio

Roof slate painting

Welcome to the forum.

Here you can discuss all things art with like-minded artists, join regular painting challenges, ask questions, buy and sell art materials and much more.

Make sure you sign in or register to join the discussions.

Hang on Studio Wall
Author
Message

Michael Robinson

  • New Member
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 2904
Posted
Ive just for fun put watercolours onto a roof slate. Im absolutely amazed at the formation . My impression is that it looks like an under water scene with corals and even a fish. Has anyone ever tried this? Im wondering if a should have used a watered down acrylic. What do you think?

Edited
by Lesley Hardy

Sarah Huang

  • New Member
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 11
Posted
Great, the formation seems like fluid painting. You can try it.

Adele Elgood

  • Forum Expert
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 886
Posted
A lovely effect Lesley. As Sarah suggest, try it. Experimentation is very important.
Front page

Alan Green

  • Forum Expert
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 557
Posted
I like it. The natural weathering that occurs with roof slates must provide a superb textural base.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 24791
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 8641
Posted
Just to be boring - if you're going to use acrylic (or oil) on slate, degrease it first; wash it with soap and water, then use a bit of ISO alcohol or meths to ensure it's free of impurities or factors which weaken adhesion. Same with painting on stones. And let it dry thoroughly - same applies to watercolour. Quite a few people have painted on slate, it's a good natural material with interesting surface textures and is good for special effects; it's fairly brittle, of course ... I think it should take watered down acrylic, if it takes watercolour. If you were to think about turpsy oil, or the direct application of thicker oil, the surface ought to be prepared with some sort of sealant - retaining the texture but isolating the oil from the surface. And varnish acrylics and oils in due course. Now, leaving the boring bits aside - experiment!

Adele Elgood

  • Forum Expert
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 886
Posted
Well Robert, I could have told Lesley all that (if I had known of course - ha ha). That's why I'll keep producing the encouragement and humour on the forum and all you experienced artists will give the serious advice and practicalities!! By the way Syd, I didn't know that fact about slate. Never too old to learn it seems.

Adele Elgood

  • Forum Expert
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 886
Posted
It would be sacrilege to use Baileys on anything other than personal internal application Lesley.

Michael Robinson

  • New Member
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 2904
Posted
I look forward to seeing your creations Lesley.

Adele Elgood

  • Forum Expert
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 886
Posted
We visited slate mines years ago when our children were small - can't remember exactly where though. These effects are lovely Lesley.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 24791
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 8641
Posted
Yes, Sylvia's right - I'd forgotten house-signs. You could start your own cottage industry here - I see it now: Hardy's House Signs (TM), custom-made to your requirements - stand out from the crowd! Oh, and you could use gin rather than meths: you don't need much, and it IS an excuse to open the bottle....

Adele Elgood

  • Forum Expert
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 886
Posted
You obviously need to read Samantha Barnes' encouraging blogs on how to get yourself out there as an artist, Lesley.

Adele Elgood

  • Forum Expert
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 886
Posted
You will know when you are ready Lesley - you are heading in the right direction.