overly white frames moulding

[Gillthepainter]

I usually buy natural wood lengths and I can paint them white, but a pleasing antique off-white.

Occasionally I will get white mouldings, from Lion.
But this choice is very white, the equivalent to ice white. Very strong against the oil paintings. It works with some, but for the majority it is just a tad too harsh.

Is there a way I can calm a prepared white moulding down a bit. It would have to stain it in some way I guess, as paint won't key. Texture (ie perfection) isn't an issue, as the moulding isn't dead smooth, it has a grain in the surface.
On paper one would sponge a teabag over the surface, sort of thing, but I doubt a teabag would make a permanent change here. I could try on a tester bit and see if it washes off.

I'm looking for a framer top tip, before I play around with washes to get that unbleached look.

[vintage frames]

You could try rubbing on some walnut toned wax and blending it with neutral wax if the colour is too strong.
Otherwise try a thin over-glaze -
1 part turps/white spirits
1 part boiled linseed oil
1/4 part terebine driers

Stir in a squish each of raw umber and burnt sienna student oil paint.

[Gillthepainter]

I hadn't thought of waxes. And shall try that first of all on a tester. And I shall report back, many thanks.

[Justintime]

Or sand it with a 180grit paper to give it a key, then paint the colour you want?

[Gillthepainter]

I don't know if I'm heavy handed, Justin.
But when I've tried to sand and paint a frame, it looks more like a skirting board, rather than a proper frame for enhancing to a painting.
You've reminded me that a fellow artist told me to prime after sanding, and I would get a more professional result. I've never used the primer first.

[Justintime]

It's probably down to the grit you're using and yes possibly being heavy handed. With a prefinished you only need to key it rather than removing any of the surface. Just evenly scratched enough for the next coat to adhere. Yes a primer coat is always recommended. I recommend a "one stroke" brush too.

[Gillthepainter]

Thank you again.
I shall try once more, as I've definitely over sanded in the past. And made a scruffy job of the process.

[Gillthepainter]

Well my first go has worked perfectly. It needed a subtle adjustment, and I hope it is evident in the photo attachment (white's difficult to pick up).

Annie Sloan wax, mixed with sepia ink that I use in my fountain pen. It didn't mix into the wax, but smoothed over the the test wood wonderfully.
You should be able to see the difference between harsh white on the left, and warmed white on the right side.

I've had so many disappointments with pre-prepared frames and mouldings I've bought, I'm absolutely delighted to be able to do this.
I even have a huge white frame that has a yellow oil paint mark where an oil painter lifted my framed picture up on an easel which had indian yellow paint on it. This wax will make the blemish disappear - I've never been able to use it since it was flawed.

I appreciate the help, once again.

sepia wax.jpg

[vintage frames]

That's good that you have found something which works for you.
As you say about white, it's not completely obvious from just looking at your photo.

In the end it's all about - tone.
Here is how I see it.

Tone is something which usually occurs over time and can contribute immensely to our sense of what is beautiful.
It is a very subtle and understated effect, yet can have an enormous emotional influence on how we humans perceive beauty.
Tone manifests itself both from the passage of time and the unconscious result of human interference.
What I mean is, if an old piece of furniture or even a picture frame is just left to go manky by neglect, then it will just look old and manky.
If however the item is cared for and polished, or wiped and dusted as per a frame, then the item developes a subtle patina on its surface which enhances its original beauty.
Thats difficult to achieve on a mass produced object but by you abrading the surface, as Justin advised, and rubbing on a little wax, that can add just a slight sense of patina to an otherwise characterless object.
The fact that you are recognizing this is indeed a battle won.
Whether you can get your customers to care or not is then up to you.

[Gillthepainter]

Absolutely. Especially the caring too.
We are trying to capture so much all round, the materials, the subject, the brushstrokes & that casement frame at the end of the process. And it is a wonderful feeling when a customer does care so much about what we do.
I recently had a customer buy something from me via Whatsapp, and I always give any online buyers a get out when I deliver, if they've changed their mind. I can always take it to the next show/ fair/ exhibition.
He went red and silent for a long time when I showed it for real.

Blimey, that's a first, he rather hates it, I thought. It was the opposite, he was quietly stunned that he loved it so much. I was shocked that he cared more than I did.

Frame was good! Not too white.