To add to my collection of ACEOs, I decided to use gilding to replicate a small metal book cover that I’d seen in the medieval Europe section of the British Museum. The book cover must have contained a prayer book or bible at some point and I just loved its simplicity. I always thought that gilding would involve lots of swearing with bits of gold leaf stuck to areas it shouldn’t be. But I was pleasantly surprised that I managed to do it. You can see how I got on by visiting my webpage how to use gilding.

The original medieval book cover on display in
the European section of the British Museum

My clay and gilded version of the book cover.

I often find that places I’ve visited or books I’ve read act as a basis for new projects. Looking back over the sketches and photos I’d created after an inspiring visit to the British Museum (see my British Museum page), I decided to use some for a couple of experimental projects. I’ve recently created a selection of ACEOs (see my earlier post ACEOs and art cards to find out what these are) and thought that a couple of things I’d seen and sketched at the museum might be suitable to add to the collection.

I’ve always liked to look at and sketch hieroglyphics. If you observe them closely, you can see that they contain elements of humour as well as seriousness (they do to me anyway) without actually understanding the literal meaning. Using what I’d seen in the Egyptian collection I decided to make an ACEO from clay and paint it to look like a small tablet. Obviously I don’t understand the hieroglyphics so I copied the ones I liked the most (not very scientific and I hope the Ancient Egyptians aren’t rolling in their sarcophagi at the thought). I used clay to create this, which dries at room temperature (no need for a fancy kiln). As you can tell from this, ACEOs can be made from any material (within reason) and not just paper as long as they are of the right dimensions (2.5×3.5 inches) and are not too thick.

Hieroglyphics as they appeared on a sarcophagus in the Egyptian rooms of the British Museum

My clay version of a hieroglyphics tablet

I also modelled several other ACEOs in clay while I was at it and you can see how I did this on my page how to use modelling clay. After I’d modelled the clay I made a latex mould and cast them in plaster of Paris so that I could make several out of one design.

These ACEOs were modelled in clay in a similar way to the Egyptian-style hieroglyphics tablet, cast in plaster after making a latex mould and painted in gouche paints.

As an alternative I also made a ACEO using watercolours and masking fluid. I was trying out a Masquepen, which I thought might be a useful alternative to ruining my brushes with masking fluid. But it also has its limitations. You can see the results on my web page how to use masking fluid.

Hieroglyphics on the false door of Ptashepses in the Egyptian rooms

My watercolour ACEO hieroglyphics version made using masking fluid