Einion, et al
Thanks for the link Einion.
I'm interesting to see the "Verlindening" of figures as a result of this sbs. I'm sure we'll start seeing a plethora of salt finishes and crackle glazes showing up everywhere. Not that its a bad thing because my first thought was of the various applications I myself could use some of the techniques on. But as is always the case when someone does an outstanding job as is being done here, it will soon be all the rage.
Salt techniques have been around for a bit strting with the railroad guys and picked up by the plane builders. The armor guys soon jumped on board along with alot of car guys. Salt crystals vary in size and adhesive qualities. Margarita salt and kosher salt are large crystals and do well at adhesion to wet surfaces. Iodized salt or table salt is fine and almost like sugar. You can always smash up larger salt crystals to make smaller crystals or mix salt types to vary the finish. Salt can sometimes have a reaction with some acrylic paints too causing hickeys or rings around the area, leaving odd coloration or surface effects on the paint. Since the idea is to use the salt crystals as a oddly shaped geometric paint mask, anything with similar properties will achieve the same effect. Sugar will also work.
The crackle finish can be controlled relatively speaking. A lighter film coat will produce finer cracks than heavier coats. Dry time between the crackle primer and laquer can also make a difference. The shorter the dry time, the finer the cracks. There are several pre made formulas for various crackle effects, from fine porcelin to heavy mud and you can do some great effects by applying a water based glaze over a solvent based primer. Just don't wait for the primer to dry, just get tacky. As the two dry at different rates there is some movement between the two surface and contraction, causing the crackle finish. As always, experiment to get it in the ball park.
to give you an idea of popularity!
