picklenotation Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Hey there I'm not sure if this topic belongs in this forum but I guess I'll go for it I've had my viola for a few years now and as pretty as it is, I managed to put a few ugly scratches on it, (by accident of course). there aren't that many but they're kind of obvious. To me, anyway. I like to consider myself an artist, particularly skilled in swirly doodle looking stuff, and I was curious if it would be safe to use acrylic to paint swirly doodles on my viola. I've read several articles regarding painting on the bodies, so I'm definitely aware of the effects heavy painting has on the wood and the sound quality of the instrument. However, I don't intend to cover the entire instrument in paint like the authors of the forums and articles I have previously read, I just want to do some extremely simple and light designs that are just dark enough to cover the scratches, which are mainly in one main area on my instrument. The color would be similar to that of the instrument: a reddish brown color. Nothing fancy. I was wondering if it would be too damaging to the wood or affect the sound greatly. If so, are there any safer alternatives? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rue Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Light doodling with thin acrylic won't affect sound quality but it will affect resale value. If this instrument is inexpensive and you have no intention of selling it...doodle away! Post before and after pics for us too. However...if you intend to sell it at any point...don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~ Ben Conover Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Leave it alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omobono Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Reminds me a bit of the saga of the "Lioness" Strad. http://www.maestronet.com/forum/index.php?/topic/332727-strad-makeover/ http://www.aviolin.com/blog/?p=29 The painting was removed and the fiddle has a new life...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stavanger Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 paint swirly doodles on my viola. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addie Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 N. Gagliano, 1771: William Gregg's fiddle (he taught Robert Burns dancing) http://www.burnsmuseum.org.uk/collections/object_detail/97.90.0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gowan Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Some years ago our community orchestra solicited local artists to create something using a violin and donate it to be auctioned for fund raising. The artists used VSOs in bad shape even for VSOs, so no violins were harmed. Several artists painted the "instrument" in creative ways. One had a copy of a portrait of Brahms on the back. One artist cut the VSO into match-stick pieces of wood and then re-assembled the violin. A couple of them made by recognized artists made some money for the orchestra but most of them didn't sell, even for charity purposes. Decorations were done, historically. For example Strad's Hellier violin (and a similar modern one by Bruce Carlson) but these had decorative purfling-type decorations. There were some famous violins and cellos with things like coats of arms on the back if I'm not mistaken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rue Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Our SO ran the same fundraiser last season. Don't think it was a big hit either. But that's totally different than doodling over scratches... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~ Ben Conover Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 First piece of furniture I made (large 4 shelf corner cupboard of maple with drawer and scroll on front panel) at cabinet making school was fine as it was, I 'embellished' it with oil painting and over varnished that...it's 'OK"but it was a nicer piece before I gilded the lily. Less is more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picklenotation Posted September 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 A few samples of the swirlies I specialize in that I mentioned: My instrument is a 16.5 inch and I don't think I'll grow (or shrink), so I doubt I'll sell it any time soon. It's not like a really high dollar viola but it's got wonderful sound quality. As far as I'm concerned, it's mine for good haha. The pictures were done in pen so they're a lot bolder than I'm planning on. I can't wait to get started. I'm gonna start designing the patterns here pretty soon. Man, I hope these pictures show up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Jetson Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 Hi Pickle, even on my little phone the pictures of your art work look clear and well detailed. I dislike double purfling and most other non standard ornamentation on violins. I see no reason why you can't paint these designs on your instrument with the intention of masking surface defects especially if this gives you joy and motivates you to keep on practicing. How about some pictures of this work of art when you are done.And welcome here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donbarzino Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 I like your doodles very much and can visualize how they will add a nice personal touch to your instrument. Applying a light coat of clear varnish on the areas you wish to paint upon would make it easier to remove your doodles in the future. Remember, you are not the final owner of that viola. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Colley Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Not so much paint ,but gilded in 23 k gold leaf . I did this on a cheap chinese fiddle at a signwriters convention in 2006 in Atlanta GA, you cant see it that well but at the bottom i wrote "I still got my soul" Went to a freind of Charlie Daniels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Jetson Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Have never seen a gold leaf violin before. Did you try playing it Terry afterward, curious to what effect the gold would have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.dV Posted September 13, 2016 Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 Your doodles remind me a bit of this design, which was apparently a thing back in the day. (All photos from Die Alemannische Schule) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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