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The Alsace Region of Northern France seems to have a beautiful history of these early pieces. Very distinctive is the use of fairly large descending strings of dots (White or Vermillion), which are often interpreted as being a stylized Lily-of-the-Valley, but could also relate to the designs by Jacques Hurtu, which incorporated descending strings of pearls (in 1614). The French call the pearl patterns cosse-de-pois (pea-pod patterns). This idea was very popular in the early 1600’s. The flowers are stylized and varied in form. Shadows and highlights are represented mainly through hatching designs.
Flower patterns spread out over the background, often black, like a carpet or tapestry. Love symbols, paired birds, hearts, entwined hands, or couples, are an indication that most of the pieces were intended as love gifts.
Here I present my interpretation of French bridal painting style, using more jewel-like colors and beautiful (tipping and side loading) strokework techniques. For more inspiration on this style, look at old French or Italian tapestries and manuscript painting.
Mediums:
Retarder Medium
Kleister Medium (A gel medium may be used in place of Kleister Medium)
Tannin Block sealer (laying gold leaf)
Cherry, Mahogany or Red Wood Stain Glaze
Palette:
Jo Sonja's Artist Colors
Diox Purple (V)
Brilliant Violet (V. + white)
Red Violet (RV)
Amethyst (RV + white)
Purple Madder
(Transparent toned RV)
Napthol Crimson (R)
Vermilion (O)
Jaune Brilliant (O tint) or O + W
Gold Oxide (toned O)
Yellow Oxide (toned y)
Yellow Deep (y)
Naples Yellow Hue
(white + touch y)
Green Light (yg)
Brilliant Green (g)
Olive Green (toned g)
Teal Green (Bg)
Celadon (Bg tint)
Ultramarine Blue (B)
Sapphire or Pacific Blue (B+W)
Carbon Black (Blk)
Unbleached Titanium (toned W)
Titanium White (W)
Grey mixes (Blk + W) or Umber + W
Rich Gold
Raw Umber or
Burnt Umber (optional)
Pearl White
Note:
This is a large palette. Some of the colors you could mix. I’ve chosen them for your convenience.
Brushes:
Jo Sonja's Sure Touch
Series 1350 #3-4 round – I painted these designs with a round brush. I used it for everything except glazing.
Optional:
Series 1360 #2 liner – Fine details.
Series 1375 1” flat or Series 1390 1" oval glaze – Applying Retarder Medium.
3/8”-1/2” flat, filbert or oval glaze – Applying the glaze color
Series 1315 1” mop, stippler or bristle blender – Softening out glaze color.