Understanding this technique is easy with time.
1
PREPARATION OF THE SUPPORT
The steps to make a traditional lacquer start with the preparation of the wooden support. Canvas, "poché"(video), "couteau", sanding and insulation are necessary before even applying the colors.
The canvassing helps to stabilize the wood on both sides.
Priming is important to obtain a luminous undertone but also in the case of Coromandel engraving and to create a beautiful contrast like in Asian tradition.
2
TINTING
Once you've prepared your support, the tinting can begin. The tinting is done by adding varnish, turpentine and pigments. By adding successive layers with different weight of pigments to create and sculpt fullness and depth in the first material. Once filled with new shades, the final objective is to find all the nuances of shades to obtain the flatesst and smoothest surface possible. The shades thus sanded bind together with subtlety, finesse and meticulousness.
3
OPENING
Once I am satisfied with the shades and effects obtained after I've sanded them down, I can begin the varnishing steps. With a minimum of 4 varnishes, depending on the desired depth, I can go up to 10 layers of flatting varnish.
Small detail: between each varnish, you have to sand, in order to regain maximum smoothness, to remove small dust particles and above all to give the next varnish something to grip onto.
4
POLISHING
When the last varnish sanding is done, it is important to let your panel dry thoroughly, about a month. This patience will allow for faster polishing. It is done using cotton and three other products with different finishing qualities, allowing them to activate the shine and stabilize it with an anti-static. It must squeak... The goal is to see your reflection in your lacquer like you would in a mirror, as faithfully as possible. All that remains is to hang it on the wall.
and finally....
Of course, the steps presented here are the basic steps for the production of a classic lacquer over approximately two months. However, depending on the specific approaches and projects of certain clients, I adapt and other intermediate steps can thus be added to refine and personalize each work which becomes even more unique. These technical adjustments (engraving, shell, gilding, writing, relief, etc.) allow us to adapt to the requirements of each creation with a good understanding of the clients and their worlds. The process is then much longer, including additional phases of model proposals and colorization validations to guarantee a result that lives up to the imagination.
What if you let yourself be tempted by the LAQUE experience through a workshop or an order?