Alex Spinney Studio

Reverse painted peacock, custom design, shown before mirroring process. Inlay for tea tray.

For this project, we replaced a broken panel with a reproduction reverse glass painting. After the painting was completed, it was sent to a silverer to be mirrored in antique period style. 

This picture shows the before and after process of reproducing broken glass. Our reproduction (right) is shown before silver is applied. 

This detail shows the care of reproducing the hand of the original artisan. 

This image shows the process of reverse painting. The glass is cleaned with abrasive, and the paint is applied in reverse, from the details to the more general brushstrokes.

This again shows the care of reproducing the hand of the original artisan. During this process, the glass must be viewed from both sides, to replicate fine detail and glass color correction. 

Detail of main subject of glass reproduction, shown before mirroring process.

This image depicts process of protecting reverse painting. The mirroring process is very aggressive, so much care and knowledge of materials must be used.

Finished room in private residence. This moulding was very dark and damaged. It was regilded and finished to match clients specifications

*part of team of artisans associated with private company

This detail shows the disrepair of original moulding prior to refinishing

*part of team of artisans associated with private company

This image shows fine detail of disrepair of moulding, and amount of re-cutting necessary during process of job.

*part of team of artisans associated with private company

This image shows process of applying two tone coloring prior to gilding. This is necessary to bring out highlights and rub-through of gold, to match character of original.

*part of team of artisans associated with private company

This image shows gilding, before gold is rub backed and patina is applied.

Custom design mimicking 17th century dutch floral wreaths. Design for large scale mural, with custom silhouette in center.

Detail of hand painted design.

Custom design. Detail of flowers and stylized shadow.

Detail of graphic stylization. Hand-painted and designed.

Detail of flowers, color separation and stylization of design. 

This image shows decorative two tone gilding application. This design in incised into handmade gesso, colored clay is applied, then moulding is gilded in both yellow and white gold. The gold is abraded to bring out character of design, and patina is applied.

This image shows the finished product of a combed gesso application. The gesso is applied hot, and a multi-stepped combing is done during process of congealing. 

This image shows the process of punching a design to replicate an original frame. The design is traced and resized from original, than transferred onto a freshly gilded reproduction. Using a mallet and small tool, the design is hand-punched into the substrate.