Paint on a quick tortoiseshell finish

Because tortoiseshell is fragile it has long been imitated using oil based paints and varnish. But this takes skill. Here is a quick and easy 'smoking' method that's so much better.

You'll need:

Timber frames
Fine grade sandpaper
Jo Sonja Artist's Gouache in Rich Gold and Copper
Small sponge brush
Candle and candlestick
Old stainless steel knife
Spray gloss varnish
Mat board or coloured cardboard
Craft glue
Assorted leaves
Gold spray paint

Here's how:

1 If the frame has been varnished, rub the surface lightly with fine sandpaper to remove the sheen. There's no need to sand hard and remove all the varnish; simply roughen the surface

2 Use the sponge brush to paint on a coat of Rich Gold then lightly dab on a little Copper here and there and let dry.

3 Light the candle and hold the blade of the knife in the flame. The smoke from the flame creates a blackening effect.

4 Holding the knife in one hand in the smoke stream, hold the frame in the other about 10cm above the knife to catch the smoke on the gold background. Take care as the smoke drifts on the paint smudge easily. Move the frame about gently to control the placement of the soot. If you don't like the results, wipe clean with a damp cloth and start again.

5 When you have achieved the look you want, apply at least three coats of spray varnish. The first coat should be a gentle mist sprayed from about 50cm away, to avoid disturbing the smoke.

6 For leaves in the frame, choose a selection from the garden, lay them on a sheet of newspaper and spray with several light coats of gold paint. Let dry.

7 Cut a piece of coloured cardboard or mat board to fit inside the frame, put a dab of glue on the back of the leaves, arrange on the mat board and replace board and glass in the frame.

Tips

As the piece you are decorating needs to be held above a flame, it is best to work on fairly small items.

If your frames have glass, you can simply sandwich the leaf between the glass and the mat board instead of gluing, so it is easy to change the display as you wish.