The technique of
miniature painting
The preliminary drawing with grid transfer
Marisa Schmitt-VIassone always painted without aids – her left eye served as a magnifying glass
1. The materials:
Why actually on ivory? This question is more than justified. The miniature painters of antiquity discovered that a natural skin tint could be achieved on ivory. All previously common substrates, such as cardboard, paper, porcelain or wood, could not reflect this.
In fact, at the time when Marisa Viassone was learning the art of miniature painting, no thought was given to the origin of the material. There were official importers from whom one could order the ivory for the artist’s needs by mail.
Nowadays, the few suppliers of this art form, that still exist, use certified ivory – it comes from mammoths from ice regions, such as Siberia. It has the same properties as that of elephants.
2. The preliminary drawing:
As in a colouring book from childhood, first transfer the basic lines of the motif onto a paper preliminary drawing with the help of a grid, so that the proportions succeed 1:1. To do this, you need two grids and transfer the lines box by box. With this old grid technique, any reduction or enlargement is possible. This depends solely on the chosen grid scale.
The "Lucido" on foil and the background
Monochrome contour lines are traced onto the Lucido foil – this template foil can be used again and again
3. The lucido – the template foil
The contours of the paper preliminary drawing are now transferred to the so-called Lucido. The main lines are traced onto a foil using a single colour, usually blue. The lucido is used over and over again, so you can save the first steps for the next time.
4. Prepare the ground:
Sand the ivory lightly with a fine sandpaper so that the structure of the leg is evenly smooth and the surface takes on the colour evenly.
5. Trace the contours again:
Then continue on the ivory. Between the Lucido foil and the ivory, you push a tracing paper to transfer the lines onto the ivory. It is important to place the lines correctly so that the portrait is centred later on.
This miniature measures 3×4 cm – the euro coin next to it shows how small it is
6. The background:
Area filling and colour gradients are one of the first steps made with the watercolour on the ivory plate. Watercolour runs through the metal tube to form a fine colour gradient when breathed on.
The "Riunitura"
„Riunitura“ is Italian and means „bringing the colours together“
7. Riunitura
This is the ancient painting technique for miniatures. Thousands of dots and strokes first form the desired representation of shades and textures, such as fabrics, lace, wood, that bring a painting to life. They are made with the finest brushes.
8. Details
Epaulettes with fringes, gold buttons on guard uniforms, collars made of the finest transparent lace, fur coats, hair ornaments – everything that glitters, sparkles or is transparent requires the highest level of detail when painting miniatures. Accents are set with small white dots.
Further links on the topic
