Planning on creating Medici, Tuscan copy, varnish advice requested.

[Will Turner]

I've made a few violins, with learning mistakes, but feel that I want to stretch myself.    After sourcing 18 year old air dried european spruce and nice figured maple, I think I'll try to create a copy of the 1716 Medici, Tuscan Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1716, the 'Medici, Tuscan'

While I've used oil varnish, I'm wondering what might be a more successful approach to try and achieve a similar result?   Spirit Varnish?   Oil Varnish with sandpaper removal of portions?

A previous instrument turned out very good, but my varnish is a pretty even oil varnish technique and not an attempt to visually copy a select instrument.   Any suggestions/recommendations will be much appreciated!

 

The mineral ground layer is what really made the spruce top pop on that one.   A combination of Joha Ground Clear varnish with pumice and fuller's earth (tripoli). 

Will start on this one after practicing scrap the recommendations.

[Will Turner]

I guess my other question would be:

Try to finish as a copy of the instrument?   Or use what I've done on my previous violin for a consistent look from instrument to instrument?  

[joerobson]

The Tuscan photographs as a deep red orange. A friend who had access to the violin said it trends to the red/purple scale.

If you like, contact me to discuss options.

on we go,

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Will Turner]

Picked up the Herdim “Mediceo” templates.  Appears to match a cheap form I had as a gift.

I know it’s not the official name “1716 Medici, Tuscan” according to Tarisio.

Have a set of other work to do before I make too much progress.  I will reach out Joe when I get closer.   I see you have your own varnish.