Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Simple and cheap backdrop

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pstuard
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Joined: 10/27/08
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Topic: Simple and cheap backdrop
Posted: 10/28/08 at 12:00am

A few weeks ago, some members of the PTA at my daughter's elementary school found out that I am a muralist. They've now convinced me to paint a backdrop for the 5th grade musical program week after next. The design is no problem--they just want a silhouette of the USA with a few landmarks, and I can do that. But I'm not sure about the materials or the process. The backdrop needs to be at least 9'x12' (ideally around 10'x15'). They have a budget of less than $100, and I have just over a week to do it. I've thought about painting it on canvas dropcloths, and then hanging it, but I'm not sure. I've never painted on fabric that isn't stretched, but I don't have any way of stretching something this big. Is this even possible? And is canvas the best choice? Some of the sites I've looked at suggest painting on muslin, which I've never painted on before.

Obviously, this doesn't have to be professional grade, though they would like to be able to save it for next year if at all possible. I've tried to tell them that I'm used to painting on hard surfaces, so they need to build me a wall. They didn't think that was funny.

Any help anybody can give would be very appreciated.

Thanks,
Patti

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JoeMc
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Joined: 3/13/06
Location: Australia
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Posts: 832

Posted: 10/28/08 at 7:51am

Depending on what width you can pick up in the muslin [Calico (in our currency)]?

I assume the drop is 10' high & 15' wide. If it is & say the cloth width is 6' wide off the roll, you would need two runs of over 15', so the cloth panels would run across the stage, rather than up & down. If you can get over 10' wide cloth, this would be better of course. The reason to have the seam run laterally across the stage, the cloth will hang better & not pucker with the weight of the panels up & down, but be distributed even across the seam, as the width of each panel shorter, thus less weight.

You can adhere the cloth strips together, using a 2 part epoxy glue, which makes it easier.

This can also be done when folding a tail batten pocket & the head batten reinforced folded hanging strip. I found it easier with the head batten fold, to apply a Hessian webbing to it & place eyelets in the length of it at about 18" intervals. Start at the centre of the cloth & work outward to each end of the head strip webbing. The eyelet units can be picked up at any camping shop, fairly cheaply.

Depending upon the diameter of the head batten [pipe], cut about a dozen cord ties, these need to be about 3' long, so you can wrap the cord around a back of a chair & cut it on one side.

With each 3' length of cord, fold in half & push the folded loop end thru the each eyelet. Then put the two tail ends thru the loop & tighten over the edge of the cloth. You would have made a 'Larks head' [Girth] knot, with two pigtails, that tie onto the head batten [pipe]. With the tail pocket you use metal conduit connected together or even light metal water pipe, which it's weight will stretch the cloth, when it is dead hung or flown.

A good idea with the eyelets on the head, is add an extra one close to the outer edge on each side [Same with the tail pocket], these can be used to further stretch & secure the head strip tension & also to tie off a sandbag at each end of the tail pocket.

You can paint the cloth on the stage deck then hang it to dry, that way any paint permeating the cloth can cleaned up, so the cloth does not stick to it.

You can use use acrylic [plastic] paint or if you use Poster paint, you will need to size the cloth first or give the cloth a base white of acrylic to seal the surface.

Using a mop or broom to apply the base whitening is probably easier.

One thing to remember is to keep a mind eye at the rear of the auditorium, when you painting.

Other members such as Vicki Franks may have a better idea or give some further tips on painting.

You can use plastic electrical reusable ties for the head batten, rather than the cord. Also a good idea is use a different colour tie in the centre eyelet on the cloth. Also mark the on the Hessian webbing, the name of the painted scene 'USA Map', this helps when it is folded & stored, so they don't have to open it out to find out what is painted on it. With the head batten place a mark in the centre of it & hang the cloth from the centre tie outwards.

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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pstuard
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Joined: 10/27/08
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Posted: 10/29/08 at 1:15am

joe mc,

thank you so much for your advice and precise direction. they are very well written. i am more of a tactile learner and usually struggle with directions. i really prefer to be shown. your directions are easy to visualize. perhaps you are an artist as well.

thanks for your guidance!

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JoeMc
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Joined: 3/13/06
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 832

Posted: 10/29/08 at 4:07am

G'donya Patti!

Me an Artist? Nar more like just a 'bullardist &/or Artcipher!

I believe this is exactly what the 'Greenroom forum & we blackducks are all about!

I was luckily enough to be born in this game & was privileged to watch backdrops being painted, by some old & great scenic artists, who never seem to get their true recognition & they dropped off the perch into obscurity. Because their master pieces were purely gaff [here today, gone tomorrow], the same as live theatre. we are only the business of making memories, which can be perpetuated these days, via the net.

We I first came to oz in the 60's, after being transported from theatre on Tyneside UK.

With one of my first jobs here, I witnessed an old bloke, Jimmy Punch, painting a back drop.

After preparing the cloth on the deck, he would ask for a fly head batten to be dropped in. With drop attached to the batten, he would proceed to paint a landscape. The cloth was raised every now & then. This went on for a few hours, until the cloth was out about 20'. He would wander to the back of the stalls, mumble a few things, while he kept relighting his smoke. Which always was hanging on one side of his mouth. Being a rolly cigarette, it would invariably keep going out. I was never sure how fags he actually smoked a day, because to me it always looked the same one.

He would then go up on stage & climb a ladder to make to add touches of black & other high lights.

Looking at the actual cloth, it was just a heap of different colours, all mixed up.

Then all of a sudden with his flitting up & down the ladder & jaunts to the back of the house. The scene would appear, like magic!

For a 40' x 20' cloth it would take him around about 3 or for hours in total. Quite amassing & while we were admiring the finished backdrop. He cleaned up his gear & evaporated from the theatre.

Unfortunately he would clean most of his tools, with a concoction of meths ' white spirits & turps.

I wasn't there but he allegedly struck a match to light his smoke one day, while he was cleaning up. The cleaning fluid blew up & he was fried on there on the stage.

I will always remember Jim & his artistic ability. According to him he actually taught Rolf Harris how to achieve his quick paintings, that he does during his stage performances.

I'd like to think that this was true, but it is difficult to verify this, as I haven't worked with Rolf for over 40 years - gawd I'm becoming ancient - Not long now?

Anyhow besides all that rubbish waffle 'n drivel.

Please play back & let us all know how you get on, but don't hesitate to ask more questions - this is what keeps me young & t'ain't arf beaut for an old ego!

If you use unbleached calico [muslin] it will shrink slightly, but this is not normally a great problem, unlike when used on a Flat skin, which can be dramatic.

I forgot to mention with the plastic [latex] paint used to whiten & seal the cloths surphase, you can water it down, which also shrinks it more & realy toghtens the cloth weave.

Also with this type drop, it will suffer from the hourglass effect on the sides, between the head & tail battens.

You can use 'Hold Ons' to stretch the cloth;-

http://www.balancedtech.com.au/holdon/

also if you have a problem tieing off the cloth on the head batten. You can use 'Batten Clips:-

http://www.flints.co.uk/pdfcatalogue/Scenery%20Fittings.pdf

You can get calico 9' wide or Flax 8' wide;-

http://www.flints.co.uk/acatalog/Calico_190_200g_m2_.html

http://www.flints.co.uk/acatalog/Super_Scenic_Flax__360g_sq_m_.html

Tio Tio Chookas!

Joe [Gaafa}

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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Set Design and Construction
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Set Design and Construction

Author	Message
pstuard Walk-On Joined: 10/27/08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Simple and cheap backdrop Posted: 10/28/08 at 12:00am
	A few weeks ago, some members of the PTA at my daughter's elementary school found out that I am a muralist. They've now convinced me to paint a backdrop for the 5th grade musical program week after next. The design is no problem--they just want a silhouette of the USA with a few landmarks, and I can do that. But I'm not sure about the materials or the process. The backdrop needs to be at least 9'x12' (ideally around 10'x15'). They have a budget of less than $100, and I have just over a week to do it. I've thought about painting it on canvas dropcloths, and then hanging it, but I'm not sure. I've never painted on fabric that isn't stretched, but I don't have any way of stretching something this big. Is this even possible? And is canvas the best choice? Some of the sites I've looked at suggest painting on muslin, which I've never painted on before. Obviously, this doesn't have to be professional grade, though they would like to be able to save it for next year if at all possible. I've tried to tell them that I'm used to painting on hard surfaces, so they need to build me a wall. They didn't think that was funny. Any help anybody can give would be very appreciated. Thanks, Patti

	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 10/28/08 at 7:51am
	Depending on what width you can pick up in the muslin [Calico (in our currency)]? I assume the drop is 10' high & 15' wide. If it is & say the cloth width is 6' wide off the roll, you would need two runs of over 15', so the cloth panels would run across the stage, rather than up & down. If you can get over 10' wide cloth, this would be better of course. The reason to have the seam run laterally across the stage, the cloth will hang better & not pucker with the weight of the panels up & down, but be distributed even across the seam, as the width of each panel shorter, thus less weight. You can adhere the cloth strips together, using a 2 part epoxy glue, which makes it easier. This can also be done when folding a tail batten pocket & the head batten reinforced folded hanging strip. I found it easier with the head batten fold, to apply a Hessian webbing to it & place eyelets in the length of it at about 18" intervals. Start at the centre of the cloth & work outward to each end of the head strip webbing. The eyelet units can be picked up at any camping shop, fairly cheaply. Depending upon the diameter of the head batten [pipe], cut about a dozen cord ties, these need to be about 3' long, so you can wrap the cord around a back of a chair & cut it on one side. With each 3' length of cord, fold in half & push the folded loop end thru the each eyelet. Then put the two tail ends thru the loop & tighten over the edge of the cloth. You would have made a 'Larks head' [Girth] knot, with two pigtails, that tie onto the head batten [pipe]. With the tail pocket you use metal conduit connected together or even light metal water pipe, which it's weight will stretch the cloth, when it is dead hung or flown. A good idea with the eyelets on the head, is add an extra one close to the outer edge on each side [Same with the tail pocket], these can be used to further stretch & secure the head strip tension & also to tie off a sandbag at each end of the tail pocket. You can paint the cloth on the stage deck then hang it to dry, that way any paint permeating the cloth can cleaned up, so the cloth does not stick to it. You can use use acrylic [plastic] paint or if you use Poster paint, you will need to size the cloth first or give the cloth a base white of acrylic to seal the surface. Using a mop or broom to apply the base whitening is probably easier. One thing to remember is to keep a mind eye at the rear of the auditorium, when you painting. Other members such as Vicki Franks may have a better idea or give some further tips on painting. You can use plastic electrical reusable ties for the head batten, rather than the cord. Also a good idea is use a different colour tie in the centre eyelet on the cloth. Also mark the on the Hessian webbing, the name of the painted scene 'USA Map', this helps when it is folded & stored, so they don't have to open it out to find out what is painted on it. With the head batten place a mark in the centre of it & hang the cloth from the centre tie outwards.
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

pstuard Walk-On Joined: 10/27/08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 10/29/08 at 1:15am
	joe mc, thank you so much for your advice and precise direction. they are very well written. i am more of a tactile learner and usually struggle with directions. i really prefer to be shown. your directions are easy to visualize. perhaps you are an artist as well. thanks for your guidance!
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 10/29/08 at 4:07am
	G'donya Patti! Me an Artist? Nar more like just a 'bullardist &/or Artcipher! I believe this is exactly what the 'Greenroom forum & we blackducks are all about! I was luckily enough to be born in this game & was privileged to watch backdrops being painted, by some old & great scenic artists, who never seem to get their true recognition & they dropped off the perch into obscurity. Because their master pieces were purely gaff [here today, gone tomorrow], the same as live theatre. we are only the business of making memories, which can be perpetuated these days, via the net. We I first came to oz in the 60's, after being transported from theatre on Tyneside UK. With one of my first jobs here, I witnessed an old bloke, Jimmy Punch, painting a back drop. After preparing the cloth on the deck, he would ask for a fly head batten to be dropped in. With drop attached to the batten, he would proceed to paint a landscape. The cloth was raised every now & then. This went on for a few hours, until the cloth was out about 20'. He would wander to the back of the stalls, mumble a few things, while he kept relighting his smoke. Which always was hanging on one side of his mouth. Being a rolly cigarette, it would invariably keep going out. I was never sure how fags he actually smoked a day, because to me it always looked the same one. He would then go up on stage & climb a ladder to make to add touches of black & other high lights. Looking at the actual cloth, it was just a heap of different colours, all mixed up. Then all of a sudden with his flitting up & down the ladder & jaunts to the back of the house. The scene would appear, like magic! For a 40' x 20' cloth it would take him around about 3 or for hours in total. Quite amassing & while we were admiring the finished backdrop. He cleaned up his gear & evaporated from the theatre. Unfortunately he would clean most of his tools, with a concoction of meths ' white spirits & turps. I wasn't there but he allegedly struck a match to light his smoke one day, while he was cleaning up. The cleaning fluid blew up & he was fried on there on the stage. I will always remember Jim & his artistic ability. According to him he actually taught Rolf Harris how to achieve his quick paintings, that he does during his stage performances. I'd like to think that this was true, but it is difficult to verify this, as I haven't worked with Rolf for over 40 years - gawd I'm becoming ancient - Not long now? Anyhow besides all that rubbish waffle 'n drivel. Please play back & let us all know how you get on, but don't hesitate to ask more questions - this is what keeps me young & t'ain't arf beaut for an old ego! If you use unbleached calico [muslin] it will shrink slightly, but this is not normally a great problem, unlike when used on a Flat skin, which can be dramatic. I forgot to mention with the plastic [latex] paint used to whiten & seal the cloths surphase, you can water it down, which also shrinks it more & realy toghtens the cloth weave. Also with this type drop, it will suffer from the hourglass effect on the sides, between the head & tail battens. You can use 'Hold Ons' to stretch the cloth;- http://www.balancedtech.com.au/holdon/ also if you have a problem tieing off the cloth on the head batten. You can use 'Batten Clips:- http://www.flints.co.uk/pdfcatalogue/Scenery%20Fittings.pdf You can get calico 9' wide or Flax 8' wide;- http://www.flints.co.uk/acatalog/Calico_190_200g_m2_.html http://www.flints.co.uk/acatalog/Super_Scenic_Flax__360g_sq_m_.html Tio Tio Chookas! Joe [Gaafa}
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
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Topic: Simple and cheap backdrop( Topic Closed)