Book of Secrets Stage 4: The Spine

Video for Stage 4

The Spine

This stage can be completed first if desired.
1. Sand the spine to smooth out any uneven wood grain.
2. Seal the surface of the spine with a coat of Decou-page Matte glue and allow to dry.
3. Apply a layer of gesso to the spine, approx 2mm thick with a large flat brush, use light brush strokes to avoid spreading the layer too thin.










​Apply this layer to the edges also.
Picture
4. Scrunch a plastic bag into a ball and unravel.
Picture
5. Cut a strip of plastic large enough to cover the spine and apply a release agent to the entire surface.
Picture
I am using Badger Balm but petroleum jelly or olive oil should work fine. Make sure you cover the whole surface of the plastic.
Picture
6. Gently lay the sheet of plastic over the spine.
Picture
Smooth down lightly with your hands, wrapping around all the edges.
Picture
Leave this to dry for a day, you could pop it into an airing cupboard or on top of a radiator to speed up the process but do be patient with this.
Picture
7. Once dry, gently peel away the plastic.







Picture
The gesso should have picked up all of the texture from the bag.

Note: If you find any gesso has pulled away and stuck to the surface of the bag, it is probable that not enough release agent was applied.

Allow this to dry for a further hour before continuing.
Picture
8. Wipe the gesso with Adirondack Blending Solution or surgical spirit to remove any of the release agent left on the surface.
Picture
9. Apply a coat of Lamp Black to the entire spine and drawer.
Picture
The inner bottom of the drawer can be left bare as a sheet of card will be placed here.
Picture
10. Paint the spine with Burnt Sienna and dry.
Picture
11. Add water to some Lamp Black to make a thin wash of paint and apply this over the Burnt Sienna to antique it.

Allow to dry.
Picture
12. Seal with a coat of matte glue to finish.
You should now have something that looks a little like this.