One of the suitable British equivalents to the MINWAX stain is:- BRIWAX GOLDEN OAK (or for slightly darker shades, ANTIQUE BROWN or MEDIUM BROWN). The Briwax range of products are the nearest ones to the Minwax range described by Brother Shadow. Briwax is available from good class D.I.Y stores and shops selling products for wood finishing. Briwax is a division within the J.W.Bollom group of companies and have main offices all over Britain and Ireland. If you contact the London branch (15 Theoblads Road, London, WC1X 8SN, tel: 0171 242 0313 OR 314 Old Brompton Road, London, SW5 9JH, tel: 0171 370 3252/3), they will be happy to send you a retail catalogue and details of your nearest supplier.

The Minwax stain used by Brother Shadow is spirit based but Briwax stains can be supplied in either spirit or water based. Spirit based is best if you want to achieve the results described in Brother Shadow’s lecture but the water based stains are ideal if you just want a less severe ageing technique. Diluted with water, you can use it to apply a light coloured wash to paper, far quicker and cleaner to use than tea. I have found that when using the Briwax range, the stain on paper appears initially quite dark but it lightens up a lot when dry.

Instead of Krylon Crystal Clear Spray (which can be found in Britain but not easily), use any clear acrylic sealing spray available from good art or craft shops. You can also obtain the good quality ‘soft’ leaded artists pencils from the same source, some even have the ‘Berol’ pencils mentioned in the lecture.

The wax used for sealing and buffing can be any solid clear (or honey colored) wax sold in tins for wood, preferably by the same makers of the wood stain. I suggest CLEAR BRIWAX.

When you have completed ageing your map or document, leave the sheets to air in the atmosphere to reduce the smell of the wax. This takes a bit of time and is best if the sheets are left in the kitchen. When most of the new wax smell has gone, dab a few drops of  ‘Essence Of Antiquity’ onto the paper and then keep it in a polythene bag when not in use, or keep several sheets in a ‘stock box’ as fully described in the E of A manual. It’s these little touches that can make big impressions. 

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