Faux Finish: Eight (8) layers, multi-colored,
vertical-striped, custom-designed, guest
bedroom.
Faux Finish (Overview and Detail): Four (4) glazed layers, multi-colored,
custom-designed, professional's office, working with an interior designer.
Faux Finish (Before and After) : I painted this bathroom with
three (3) different colors and five (5) glaze layers, coordinating
with Penny Lane Interior Designs.
Faux Finish (Overview and Corner Detail): I painted this bedroom with three (3) colors
and four (4) glaze layers, to suggest a warmer atmosphere and to give the walls
greater depth and subtle color changes.
Faux Finish (Before and After): This client needed the power outlets
to match the tiled walls in the kitchen. I faux-finished them multi-
colored and multi-layered to match the background .
The Faux Finishing Process
The definition for the word Faux is ‘false.’ It is all about creating a three-dimensional look on a two-dimensional surface. The centuries-old techniques of faux finishing give the illusion of depth on surfaces that would otherwise be flat. (Such as a wall). It gives a sense of looking into the wall. It is usually composed of more than one color application, and usually with transparent layers, so that one can see parts of the base color underneath. One can create a number of textures, add drama, create illusions -- much more than one can with plain paint.
- All colors are customizable!
- All the layers and textures that I will apply for are customizable
You and I will meet to discuss ideas and view the room or wall(s) to be painted I will also bring my portfolio. Most clients have an idea of what they want, you can also ask advice for suggestions. Once the colors and texture style is determined, a deposit is due. At this time, a date will be scheduled for the actual work and a couple of samples are created for you to choose from. More samples can be prepared for an additional fee. We do not start the work until you are happy with the samples.
Second Meeting:The Painting process will start. Please note if there are any changes made, to what has already been agreed upon, once the painting has begun, there will be additional charges. The remaining balance is due upon completion of the Faux Finishing.
What's Next?
- Have a question?
- Or are you ready for your free estimate?
It's easy! Whether you have questions or are ready for an estimate, click on Request a Free Quote in the top right to contact me. I look forward to working with you and bringing more beauty and joy into your life!
Faux Finishing Glossary
Following are a sampling of the faux finishing techniques I can apply for you. In fact, there are many, many more, including some especially unique applications that I have not listed.
Aging and Antiquing - aging or antiquing is a faux painting technique used to simulate natural aging and wear and tear with the use of paint glazes, crackle glazes, paper, hammers, sandpaper, or chains to distress and weather an object or surface. Antiquing can be used on many things and matches very well with French Country decor. A distressed or aged look can make an object more comfortable to live with and more relaxing to look at.
Aged wall plaster - this faux painting technique is used to create an Italian, "Old World", look to your decor. This faux painting effect can be accomplished on water based painted walls (paint must have some degree of sheen such as: eggshell, satin). One or several scrumble glazes (warm colors like: burnt umber, burnt sienna, raw sienna, and yellow ochre) are applied to create areas of light and dark. Other faux painting techniques like color washing, color rubbing, a faded mural, or faux exposed brick add to the illusion.
Color rubbing - is a faux painting technique done with scumble glazes (water based or oil based paint) and a cloth for rubbing. Colors close in tone create a soft faux finish look. Glaze colors in shades of burnt sienna, raw sienna, and yellow ochre work well together.
Color washing - a flexible faux painting technique which can be varied in appearance to the way in which the oil or latex paint is wiped off or on. You can use cheese cloth, brushes, or sponges for this finish. Color washing is great for walls that lack personality.
Crackle - a faux painting finish produced by using two varnishes having two different drying times which work against each other to produce a crazed, crackled, effect. The first coat of varnish is applied and left to dry. While the surface is still " tacky ", the second application of varnish is applied. Cracks should appear within 20 to 30 minutes. If a longer time is left in between applications (2-3 hours), then cracks will be smaller. If a shorter time is left between applications (1-1 1/2 hours), then cracks will be larger. You may wish to use crackle glaze as an aging patina or as a decorative finish. Timing depends greatly on drying conditions (heat and humidity).
Distressing - a faux painting technique used for simulating the effects of wear and tear on an on a newly painted object or surface (see aging and antiquing).
Dragging - a faux painting technique of pulling a long-haired brush through wet paint or glaze to produce a series of fine vertical lines. The faux glaze can be applied by dragging cloth vertically (creates a broader, more dramatic stripe)or by dragging a brush vertically (creates a finer, silkier stripe). This faux finish can be accomplished with equal amounts of oil paint, mineral spirits, and oil scumble glaze or with a watered based emulsion paint, acrylic scumble glaze, and water. This technique is great for cabinets, doors and on furniture.
Floating marble - also called fossil marble, this faux painting techniques is used on flat surfaces, such as a table or floor. The surface has to be horizontal because the mineral spirits (50% oil paint, 50% mineral spirits) used to create this finish would run down a vertical surface. Floating marble looks very good used as squares on a floor or as a border. An alternative faux painting technique uses water to disperse the oil color in a similar way to that used for marbling paper.
Gold Leaf - Gold leaf, also known as transfer leaf, is available in gold, silver, and other varegated varieties. It can be applied to plastic, paper, metal, plaster, wood,...Surfaces should be clean and free of dirt, oil, or wax. First, sand the surface with a fine grit sandpaper or steel wool. Then, seal with gesso or a commercial sealer. (For porous surfaces like plaster, wood, or stone.) Don't forget the final sanding before the final acrylic clear coat. Most acrylic sealers come in spray form. Solvent based varnishes are fine as well. If you don't seal the final product the surface will tarnish over time. You can use this finish on small objects as well as decorative accents or on a recessed ceiling for drama.
Trompe l'oeil - The definition comes from a French term literally meaning, "trick the eye." Sometimes called illusionism, it's a style of painting, which gives the appearance of three-dimensional, or photographic realism. It flourished from the Renaissance onward. The discovery of linear perspective in fifteenth-century Italy and advancements in the science of optics in the seventeenth-century Netherlands enabled artists to render objects and spaces with eye-fooling exactitude. Enrich your home decor with enchanting trompe l'oeil illusions from Petrina. They're portrayed so convincingly your guests will want to look twice to make sure they are not seeing the real thing!! This can be a mural on the wall or a canvas illusion.