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Views from the Choir Loft

How to repaint a statue with professional results

Gwyneth Holston · February 10, 2014

GWYN_Statue

HERE ARE MANY beautiful statues hidden under flaking paint. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to repaint a lovely statue of Our Lady Help of Christians. I have since painted several statues with the same technique shown here with fantastic results.

These are the supplies you will need: One-Shot Lettering Enamel in a variety of colors, a gas mask for the fumes, latex gloves, and cheap brushes.

It is important to begin painting on a clean surface. If there is any flaking paint, it should be sanded off and the statue primed. If you would like your statue to have a vintage feel, pay attention to the colors you use and reach for muted colors if in doubt.

The most important part of any statue are the eyes. It is not necessary to paint every eyelash or eyebrow hair. Stay loose. Don’t paint the whites of the eyes a blinding white. Make sure that the pupils are in the right location so that the statue is not cross-eyed, and then just suggest an iris that darkens beneath the shadow of the eyelid. Keep the mouth as understated as possible. Do not paint an overt smile. Some ambiguity around the corners of the mouth will create a more complex facial expression.

The enamel paint I recommend provides a vastly different effect than acrylic paint. It functions similarly to a ceramic glaze. The colors have a luminous quality and naturally flow into each other to create a flawless surface. The pigments also settle into the statue’s grooves and texture in such a way as to emphasize the underlying surface.

I always use disposable plates for mixing and just throw my brushes away when I’m done. Once enamel dries, it is an incredibly hard and durable surface. Please let me know if I can answer any questions for you!

GWYN_detail statue

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Gwyneth Holston

Gwyneth Holston is a sacred artist who works to provide and promote good quality Catholic art. Her website is gwynethholston.com. Read more.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Amid all these old liturgical books, I find that I am happy and at ease; I feel at home.

— Dom André Mocquereau (1884)

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