The beginner is confronted frequently with two difficulties in paste
decoration. These are flattening of the paste after the application,
and chipping off. These can usually be traced to one of two things: the
use of the wrong quality of oil or to using too much.
Unsatisfactory results will always be obtained if the paste is
insufficiently ground. It is well to grind it well with turpentine.
Allow it to dry, and then mix with oil—a horn or steel knife can be
used.
Some of the professionals who do the finest work for the English and
French manufacturers, mix their paste with two parts of fat oil and one
part of oil of tar. The paste should be mixed to a half thick
consistency with the oil that is to be used, and worked until it is
smooth. Special care should be taken to following these instructions.
The paste now being about like freshly mixed china colors, stir with a
knife and breathe upon it. Keep stirring until it is hard and gathers
to the knife in a stringy way.
Reducing the paste to the right consistency is the most important
feature of the work. It should be of such consistency that when taken
up it will keep in good shape while hanging to the paste brush.
If a small amount of water should be used instead of breathing upon it,
great care should be used not to use too much. Too much humidity will
cause the paste to become stiff.
A single long stroke produces the best results in laying paste lines.
Frequent touches produces an uneven line which will mar the beauty of
paste work. Be sure to lay the paste high and round like a thin cord.
If it should flatten, too much oil has been used; breathe upon it again
until proper consistency is obtained.
Keep paste in as small and round a heap as possible while it is being
used. It is best to mix fresh paste for each day’s work. If you should
wish to remix paste, use as little oil as possible.
To straighten an uneven line cut the end of a brush handle to a sharp
edge and smooth or move the line in place. A brush moistened with
turpentine will sometimes do the work satisfactorily. Do not let the
brush become clogged with paste while working. Clean it frequently by
wiping it on a cloth. Dresden paste brushes are best for this work.
Paste may be applied over fired colors or lustre if desired. Be sure
the paste is well dried (not artificially) before firing. To obtain the
best results paste should be fired before gold is applied. However, in
case of emergency gold may be applied over unfired paste provided it is
perfectly dry and hard.
If paste should, for any reason chip off, the space should be filled in
with fresh paste. Dry thoroughly and apply gold—then fire as before.
Unfluxed gold should be used over paste. For silver paste decoration,
two applications of silver are necessary for best results.
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