TRADITIONAL COMPLETE POLYCHROME

(Technical description)

.......Wood........Plaster of Paris...Embolado.........Gold leaf..........Estofado.........Polychrome

1) Plaster of Paris (stucco):Application of between 5 and 8 layers of rabbit-skin glue combined with blackplaster of Paris. Once dry, it is sanded down to recuperate the original shape with heightened quality of detail.

2) Gold Leaf with water:"Embolado" application of six layers of clay mixed with water and rabbit-skin glue.
Gold Leaf- stuck with water and fish glue. Burnished ( polished with agate stone to achieve greater shine)

3) "Estofado" Coat of paint with egg tempera over which a series of ornamental designs are made, leaving the design as a backdrop for the gold leaf or vice versa.

4) Varnishing: layer of varnish or lacquer which protects the layer of gold and brings out the shine of the previous layers.

5) Polychrome: series of layers of paint (oil, tempera or acrylic) applied to the areas not treated with "estofado" to give more expression to the face, hair, hands and flesh.

6) Gloss: Veils of shadow and light which accentuate contrast and give greater realism.