Weekly BobBlast Issue 413 - Final Steps to "Show-Ready"

Weekly BobBlast Issue 413

Final Steps to "Show-Ready"

Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!

This BobBlast zeros in on my final four steps to get any painting "Show-Ready" - whether it is for a gallery, festival, open studio or a client sale! Finishing the painting is just a part of the process… these final steps before it goes out the door is the necessary completion.

This is my ritual for finishing up the painting process - the four steps of what works for me. The video features an acrylic/collage painting on a canvas. If you are working with a different surface, you may need to modify the final steps.

Step One - The final varnish

Step Two - My signature

Step Three - Paint the sides

Step Four - Hanging hardware

Varnish - I brush on acrylic varnish over the entire surface. To prep the varnish, I gently stir it - never shake - and slowly (slowly) brush the varnish on the surface in one direction only. Not back and forth. I normally brush on one thin coat.

Signature - When the varnish has completely dried (24 hours), I sign my work near the bottom edge, left or right, where ever the signature is the most legible. I purposefully leave a clear, clean color (right or left) so the signature is easily read. I sign my name on the front. Title, date and my name goes on the back. My favorite signing pens are Faber-Castell Artist Pitt Pens.

Sides - My next step… I brush a mid-tone grey around all four sides. It's a mixture of white gesso and black gesso. I mix up a large batch and keep enough of it in a sealed can for later use, including touch-ups. You can certainly use any color - for me, the mid-tone grey disappears. Watch the video to see how I apply this finishing touch.

Hanging Hardware - Have good tools for this part! This is what I use for this part of the process:

•Roll of "Super Softstrand Vinyl Coated Stainless Steel Picture Hanging Wire"

•Wire Cutter

•Electric Drill

•D-Rings or Self Tapping Wood Screws

I prefer the self tapping wood screws as they have a wide washer "shoulder" to hold the wire in place. The screws are positioned one-third down from the top of the painting. I use the electric drill to screw them in about halfway. The wire is wrapped around the screw, then the drilled down tight. The wire length, when wrapped and screwed down tight, should measure two inches from the top.

Don't forget to take a goof-proof photograph of your art! Now your work is Show-Ready!

Online Workshop - Last Weekend in June!

Non-Objective Painting

2 days - 8 hours of instruction