joerobson Posted March 22, 2018 Author Report Posted March 22, 2018 Current work. Balsam Ground + Aged Wood Gold + Stradivari Cochineal Varnish and Base Varnish.
James Claseman Posted March 22, 2018 Report Posted March 22, 2018 Quote Nice varnish Joe. This is my latest violin with your strad varnish. Last coat applied waiting for a rubout.
joerobson Posted July 14, 2018 Author Report Posted July 14, 2018 On 7/12/2018 at 11:06 PM, lpr5184 said: Nice Joe, I like the color shift. Thanks Ernie. That's the "chameleon " effect of the Stradivari Cochineal Varnish.
Michael_Molnar Posted August 15, 2018 Report Posted August 15, 2018 I like your September 2018 STRAD article, "Scarlet Fever", about cochineal.
joerobson Posted August 16, 2018 Author Report Posted August 16, 2018 Thanks Mike. I love the title...their idea, not mine!
Peter K-G Posted August 18, 2018 Report Posted August 18, 2018 Joe, Unfortunately I can't get anything out of these low resolution images, It would be interesting to see how your varnish looks though. You really need to buy a new phone! br. Peter
joerobson Posted August 18, 2018 Author Report Posted August 18, 2018 4 hours ago, Peter K-G said: Joe, Unfortunately I can't get anything out of these low resolution images, It would be interesting to see how your varnish looks though. You really need to buy a new phone! br. Peter Peter, It might be the photographer! I'm finishing up a violin I'm pleased with. I'll try out the camera on my new tablet. on we go, Joe
christian bayon Posted August 20, 2018 Report Posted August 20, 2018 On 3/22/2018 at 6:58 PM, James Claseman said: Nice varnish Joe. This is my latest violin with your strad varnish. Last coat applied waiting for a rubout. This kind of pic seems to be simple to shot and is more easy for us to have an idea of the result.
Michael_Molnar Posted August 20, 2018 Report Posted August 20, 2018 What makes a varnish not self-leveling as you mentioned in the Strad article? Lean varnish?
Don Noon Posted August 20, 2018 Report Posted August 20, 2018 On 8/18/2018 at 2:21 PM, joerobson said: It might be the photographer! I'm finishing up a violin I'm pleased with. I'll try out the camera on my new tablet. All cameras are pretty good these days. It's the LIGHTING that makes all the difference. 5 minutes ago, Michael_Molnar said: What makes a varnish not self-leveling as you mentioned in the Strad article? Lean varnish? More cooking = more self-leveling... as the oil becomes more like stand oil. Leaner also could prevent leveling. At least, that's what I think... let's see if Joe agrees.
joerobson Posted August 21, 2018 Author Report Posted August 21, 2018 21 hours ago, christian bayon said: This kind of pic seems to be simple to shot and is more easy for us to have an idea of the result. 21 hours ago, christian bayon said: I agree for color
joerobson Posted August 21, 2018 Author Report Posted August 21, 2018 17 hours ago, Don Noon said: All cameras are pretty good these days. It's the LIGHTING that makes all the difference. More cooking = more self-leveling... as the oil becomes more like stand oil. Leaner also could prevent leveling. At least, that's what I think... let's see if Joe agrees. Don, The key to a non self leveling varnish is not cooking time.
Michael_Molnar Posted August 21, 2018 Report Posted August 21, 2018 22 minutes ago, joerobson said: Don, The key to a non self leveling varnish is not cooking time. So, it is the rosin/oil ratio. Lean is not self-leveling while fat is.
Don Noon Posted August 21, 2018 Report Posted August 21, 2018 ... or you could load it up with fumed silica.
joerobson Posted August 21, 2018 Author Report Posted August 21, 2018 4 hours ago, Michael_Molnar said: So, it is the rosin/oil ratio. Lean is not self-leveling while fat is. Nah. My Balsam Ground Varnish is 4:1 All the rest are 1:1. Some self level. Some don't. on we go, Joe
Michael_Molnar Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 For those who are interested: Leveling is controlled by (a) proper selection of oil, (b) acidity, (c) extenders, (d) evaporation rate of thinners. This is explained in Modern Technology of Paints, Varnishes & Lacquers (2nd Edition) By NIIR Board. Google to read it online for free.
GlennYorkPA Posted August 29, 2018 Report Posted August 29, 2018 On 8/16/2018 at 5:39 PM, joerobson said: Thanks Mike. I love the title...their idea, not mine! Joe, I would like to add that I enjoyed the article too. I was totally absorbed by it even though I know little about varnishes. For those who haven't read it, the article is 5 pages long and takes us through a fascinating history of the color red and how the discovery of cochineal beetles by the Spanish in Mexico was a game changer. It seems almost certain that the Spanish presence in Cremona was responsible for the introduction of this particular color to Stradivari who responded to the demand for it. Anyone who has poured hot water onto the shrivelled bodies of these insects can't help but be impressed by the brilliance of the red leeched out. Once seen, Dragon's blood and other red colorants fade into the backgound. The challenge was always how to get it into an oil varnish and you seem to have solved that problem. Very impressive. Thanks Glenn
joerobson Posted August 30, 2018 Author Report Posted August 30, 2018 8 hours ago, GlennYorkPA said: Joe, I would like to add that I enjoyed the article too. I was totally absorbed by it even though I know little about varnishes. For those who haven't read it, the article is 5 pages long and takes us through a fascinating history of the color red and how the discovery of cochineal beetles by the Spanish in Mexico was a game changer. It seems almost certain that the Spanish presence in Cremona was responsible for the introduction of this particular color to Stradivari who responded to the demand for it. Anyone who has poured hot water onto the shrivelled bodies of these insects can't help but be impressed by the brilliance of the red leeched out. Once seen, Dragon's blood and other red colorants fade into the backgound. The challenge was always how to get it into an oil varnish and you seem to have solved that problem. Very impressive. Thanks Glenn Happy that you enjoyed it. I found the historical research as interesting as the varnish forensics. on we go, Joe
GlennYorkPA Posted August 30, 2018 Report Posted August 30, 2018 12 hours ago, joerobson said: Happy that you enjoyed it. I found the historical research as interesting as the varnish forensics. on we go, Joe Joe, I think everything we do should be seen in an historical perspective. It's important and fascinating and helps us appreciate the shoulders on which we all stand. You say this cochineal varnish can only be made in small batches (thus explaining why the varnish of each of the golden age Strads is a bit different). Can you elaborate on this? What happens if you attempt a larger batch? Glenn
joerobson Posted August 30, 2018 Author Report Posted August 30, 2018 4 hours ago, GlennYorkPA said: Joe, I think everything we do should be seen in an historical perspective. It's important and fascinating and helps us appreciate the shoulders on which we all stand. You say this cochineal varnish can only be made in small batches (thus explaining why the varnish of each of the golden age Strads is a bit different). Can you elaborate on this? What happens if you attempt a larger batch? Glenn You get a nice BROWN varnish!
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now