Best material for portraits

[Martin]

In thinking this over, I tried an attachment for my rotary tool to get rid of the fuzzies

I imagine you need a steady hand and a keen eye to do this, especially around the more fragile areas. A steady hand and a keen eye are something I no longer possess.  I'm still going to give it a try, but I have a feeling my last subject will end up with a blank look on their face.

[Old Crow]

I never tried that one Mike, I thought it might be too aggressive. I will have to give it a try.
Don R

[bettyswood]

When you use BLO do you have any trouble getting the backer board to adhere?  What do you use for glue?

[GrayBeard]

After the project is finished I apply it to the backer by turning it face down, put some Alene's Tacky Glue in a plastic lid (like a butter tub) and 'paint' the glue on the back of the project and then place it on backer. Then I take a piece of 3/4" plywood and place it over the top, weight it down with a gallon can of paint and let dry for about 2 hours.

I have never had any project separate using this method even with the back coated with the BLO mix or any other finish.

~~~GB~~~

[dgman]

That's exactly what I do GB, except I use bricks to weigh it down!

[GrayBeard]

Dan...your hands are younger than mine....paint cans have handles and bricks don't!!!

~~~GB~~~

[Loudog]

Maybe a small alcohol lamp would work, I use one to remove the small thread tags on windings when fishing rod building.

[ChuckD]

I do it pretty much the way GB does.  Other than the bottom board being a throw away I also use a throw away board for the top.  Could be anything, poster board, laun board (door skins) scrap ply, anything that works.  That way you don't have to mess with the pattern at all.
One more little hint.  Remove the fuzzies by fire before you use the BLO-Mineral Spirits .  Don't ask..