Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Painting Muslin

Message

   I have a show with six flats.  Two to be decorated as strips of film, and the other two an antique theater setting including a backdrop.
My Producer/Set Designer would like to use flats with muslin.  I am wondering if that is condusive to detail work?

I just finished "The Fantasticks" and painted the "Fantasticks" banner on muslin.  Just words wasn't too bad.  But I'm wondering if detail will not be quite as easy.  Especially the dark colored flats of film.  Those are dark blue and purple, mainly.  The old theater setting is in light colors that would probably be fine.  

The Set Designer thinks it would look better.  I haven't worked with muslin flats for 20 years.  They were great, but I don't remember how much work went into the detail.  

Any experience?  

Author	Message
chel Celebrity Joined: 6/20/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Topic: Painting Muslin Posted: 1/22/10 at 12:32pm
	I have a show with six flats. Two to be decorated as strips of film, and the other two an antique theater setting including a backdrop. My Producer/Set Designer would like to use flats with muslin. I am wondering if that is condusive to detail work? I just finished "The Fantasticks" and painted the "Fantasticks" banner on muslin. Just words wasn't too bad. But I'm wondering if detail will not be quite as easy. Especially the dark colored flats of film. Those are dark blue and purple, mainly. The old theater setting is in light colors that would probably be fine. The Set Designer thinks it would look better. I haven't worked with muslin flats for 20 years. They were great, but I don't remember how much work went into the detail. Any experience?
	chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org

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Mr. Lowell Celebrity Joined: 1/30/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 269	Posted: 1/22/10 at 2:07pm
	In my opinion, the quality of detail has a lot more to do with the experience and talents of the scenepainter than it does the materials. I've seen some awesome muslin drops and muslin flats. But what would your alternative materials be?...Flats made of 1/4" lauan plywood? How big are you talking about?
	Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School
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chel Celebrity Joined: 6/20/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 1/22/10 at 3:59pm
	6 to 8 feet tall, just wooden flats we already have. Is the muslin more time consuming?
	chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org
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Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 1/22/10 at 5:48pm
	It is only less time consuming to making up the Hard [studio] flats, than it will knocking up Soft { calico/muslin/flax [broadway]} flats. Actual painting time would be the same & dependant upon the artist. As for painting you can get as much fine detail, similar to that of any 'paint on stretched canvas' work hanging in an art gallery. Edited by Gaafa - 1/22/10 at 5:54pm
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
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chel Celebrity Joined: 6/20/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 1/24/10 at 6:56pm
	Thanks so much. I needed the reassurance.
	chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org
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JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 1/24/10 at 8:11pm
	If you have [hard Studio flats, in preferance I cover the hard board skin with calico [muslin] which gives a better & more workable flat. Especialy when applying 'dutchmen' masking between flats. Also any damage can quickly & easily repaired by using bits of calico when painting to give a flush skin. Use unbleached [raw] calico [muslin] not any that has been pre doped with fire retardant or whatever. The shrinkage assists with tightening of the cloth on the flat frame, which won't happen to the same required extent with any pretreated cloth.
	[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
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