Any or all of the above. Cheapest flat latex and a sponge works well,
just like sponging a wall. If you want to blend/feather, dilute the
paint and/or use a wet sponge. You can do "mixed media" too...latex
background, spray other here and there.
--
dadiOH
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IME, watered down latex works best. The more watered down the better. Too
much paint makes the muslin extremely heavy & difficult to use.
Way back in High School we made Muslin backdrops for stage scenery. Almost
any paint was used. We have used spray paint, house paint (applied with
either a brush or roller), water colors or dyes (for pastel tones), etc.
Most anything you can think of that will coat or stain this cotton fabric
can have a use. And don't be afraid to layer the paints and effects. Some
of the most effective backdrops I have ever seen used some of the most
simple devices. Sponges, brushes, stencils, block prints, you name it.
Some of the thicker/stiffer paints would only last for one production as
it would flake off within a month or so. On the other hand, a thicker
paint gave much more texture and thus believability. So you may have to
balance texture with permanence. Since you mention being an artist
painter, you might want to treat these muslin frames as if they were very
large canvases. Most of the same materials and techniques will easily
transfer from canvas to Muslin.
Randy
==========
Randy Berbaum
Champaign, IL
>paint? I am an artist/painter besides photography, so I am sure I could
>do something fairly good but I want to know what sort of medium (paint) is
>used an how it is applied (brush, spatter, spray can?). Any help
>appreciated.
Go to your local big-box hardware store (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) and
buy up any suitable colors from the stacks of returned interior paint
and mixing rejects. Flat or Satin latex works best, diluted about 1+3
in water. Sponge, spray, or brush onto your muslins.
--
Central Maryland Photographers' Guild - http://www.cmpg.org
Strange, Geometrical Hinges - http://rob.rnovak.net
> I would like to make my own painted muslin backgrounds-- anybody know what
> kind of paint is used to make them?
Well, first you hire a couple of energetic Sunis (Whirling Dervishes are
always good) and a handful of learned Shi'ites, then you give them brushes
and a couple of buckets of paint and... wait a second... you said "muslin"
didn't you?
Never mind.
Latex paint works well. No oil base! However what works even better
is theater scenic paints. Rosco is one company that makes excellent
ones. Rosco Iddings colors are sold in quarts and are designed to be
dilutted with water.. at ratios up to 8 parts water, 1 part paint. The
advantage to scenic paint is the much more saturated color designed to
hold up under theater and photographic lighting. You will also find
that your painted back drop will be lighter in weight and less likely
to suffer damage from transporting etc.
As far as painting technique? A roller or wide brush works ok for the
base coat. I prefer brush. Finish coats and texturing depending on
the effect and any of your artisitc talents can be used here. Sponges,
brushes, rags, etc. are all valuable tools.
--
Jim <jen....not....home..remvdots...@....yahoo