Cool art term Monday- ormolu

This art term relates as much to design as art. Ormolu means golden or gilded brass or bronze used for decorative purposes (as in mounts for furniture) and is derived from the French moulu meaning ground gold.

There are so many examples of this type of ornament on furniture and decorative accesories.

I was told by an antique specialist that it was also known as mercury-gilding and the process made the gilders go mad, much like hatters, from the mercury.

Last year I passed up this amazing ormolu corner chest because I had no where to put it.

It is a bit more fanciful than most things I like but I am kind of kicking myself.

Ormolu is is one of those things that is a thumbs or a thumbs down. Which one are you?

Cool art term Monday- scumbling

Scumbling is much more than a fun word to say, it is a useful technique in both drawing and painting.

It refers to a sort of dry brush or scribble technique that aids in natural looking shading.

Scumbling is best done with a firm or coarse brush. The paint is scrubbed in, often over another layer in a different color.

It might seem like a new-fangled thing but in fact, Rembrandt often employed this technique.

Scumbling creates fantastic atmosphere, texture and light variations.

If you are interested this is a video illustrating the technique.

Cool art term Monday- sgraffito and a winner!

Today's term is sgraffito and I know, it sounds like I made it up but I promise it is real. It where a pointed object is used to scrape away some of the paint or clay is referring to the technique in pottery.

The term sgraffito comes from the Italian word sgraffire which means (literally) “to scratch”.

I have not used this technique in my artwork much but as a kid in pudding it was the way to go.

Actually, i think is is an interesting way add not just texture but the illusion of light.

I have seen sgraffito used to reveal and underpainting and used to brilliant effect in an oil on aluminum, where tiny glints of metal showed through.

Can you think of a way that this applies to interior design? Not necessarily scratching away but creating a design by removing material.

Did you work last week's term, chiaroscuro, into a conversation?

The winner of the painted mat from the paint a rug party is Jennifer of The Pink Pagoda!