Decoy paint--adding a little shine

Michael B

Michael B

Active member
I am working on four cork black ducks at the moment. I am going to paint them with Goldens Acrylics so they will have a very flat, matte finish. Good, right? The problem is, for these birds I'd like to add a slight sheen. Does anyone know the best way to accomplish this? A linseed oil wash after they have cured? Some kind of wax I can rub on? I don't want them to have a high gloss finish--just a little polish so they don't appear chalky.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Mike
 
Golden makes Heavy Body acrylics as well as matte versions. I would suggest you try these and paint a bird. IF it is too shiny, you can add matte medium to achieve the final level of sheen you desite. It's been my experience that Golden's Heavy Body Mattes have a fair amount of sheen, requiring me to add matte medium to tone down the backs, cape feathers and side pockets a bit.
 
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I've never seen that the matte acrylics from Golden are chalky, not even close to chalky. I have many decoys that I've painted with Goldens and those made by others and never seen it, so I don't think you have anything to worry about. Flat oils - chalky - yes.

EDIT: I didn't see your paints, those are regular, not matte, you are going to have plenty of sheen.
 
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This will enable you to drop the shine a bit by mixing-in different proportions. As Todd stated, you will likely never get them so flat they will chalk using acryilics. Just make sure you let them dry for about a month prior using them. Make sure you use Gesso as a base coat. Yes, you can tint it to match the topcoats of acrylic paint.

Golden Matte Mediums | BLICK Art Materials (dickblick.com)
 
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