Repainting Joseph from our Nativity Scene

The Joseph from our Nativity scene was beginning to look tired and in need of a repaint. Find out how Michael, our Facilities Maintenance Assistant went about restoring it.

Our Nativity Crib scene is a popular sight at Rochester Cathedral over Christmas and Advent. However, each year some of the figures require restoration work to keep them looking at their best. This year our Joseph figure was very much in need of a fresh coat of paint.

Michael, has worked on these models for many years. He was able to employ two new skills he’s aquired through his interest in Miniature model painting to bring this figure back to its full glory.

Grey Scaling

This is an airbrushing technique used by speed painters. The technique incorporates priming, base coating and contrasting into just one technique.

Michael explains more;

“As this technique incorporates three separate techniques, Priming, Base Coating and Contrasting, into one technique. I started by Priming the surface black. Then stepping away from the work, holding the airbrush from above, and aiming down. I began misting white over the surface. The white paint will then cling to the raised areas first and less in the recesses of the figure. Creating a gradient where light would naturally highlight. Then by using a very thin pigment. I’m using calligraphy Ink. I put a Light coat over the figure. As the ink is atomized by the airbrush. It leaves a very fine coat across the surface but still allowing the white primer to shine through the green ink, giving you these results. The added benefit here is that it dries very quickly as its applied in such fine layers.”

Oil Washing

The second technique employed by Michael was oil washing. He explains more below

“Oil Washing is a very versatile technique, with a myriad of applications and is done by diluting oil paint in mineral spirits such as white spirit. Oil washing exploits the fact that Water doesn’t mix with either oil or mineral spirits. Meaning that you can work this over dried water based acrylic paints and then wipe it back with a sponge without effecting the surface underneath. By the nature of how mineral spirits flow, the pigment will then sink deep into the recesses and details. In this iteration, I’ve used oil washing in detailing and defining the darker parts of the figure. By making these areas darker, the lighter areas pop, creating better contrast and depth. I’ve done this not only on the newly painted cloak. But also, of the hair line and folds in the clothing.”

Michael is extremely pleased with the finished result saying “The reality of cause is that most of this will be completely missed by those that come to see the crib. But I do get the satisfaction of knowing that these figures go out looking stunning every year, and people seem to enjoy seeing them. So, to be fair, I really couldn’t ask for more than that.”

Please do take a closer look at Joseph if you visit this December.