Byron's Unique Paintings Store

SUBTRACTAVISM

All the paintings go through the same process to prepare the metal for working with. One side must be sanded so that it has a “tooth” for gripping the paint. After that, the bends must be put into the metal using a metal break, and after each bend is made it must be straightened out using hands and feet, a small sledgehammer, and a regular carpentry hammer. Two-by-four boards and ¾ inch plywood may also be necessary in the process. After the metal has been bent and the ridges or lines that this leaves are satisfactory then the metal is painted with gesso and set aside to dry. After it is dried it is determined what kind of wooden support the painting will need if any, and this will be constructed and a finishing coat applied if any is needed. After this is finished the metal, still separate from its support, is coloured with the materials I use and then sprayed with enamel, and then this is just dry to the touch it is all sanded with an electric drill and sanding disk. At this point, most of the creative decisions are made. I call this method of painting Subtractavism, for obvious reasons. A second round of this process may be necessary, incorporating both layers into the finished work of art. When the desired results have been achieved the metal is dried and then sprayed with several coats of clear coat to protect the metal from tarnishing. Then it is attached to the support structure if there is one.