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Faux Marble Painting Techniques
Marble is one of nature's most beautiful and complex stones. It is in the most famous sculptures and it instantly adds value to a home. However, it is also extremely expensive. If you want the classic and elegant look of marble in your home, but do not want to spend a small fortune, consider using painting techniques to create a realistic marble finish on a variety of surfaces in your home.
First things first
Before you run out and buy all the supplies you need to create a faux marble finish, take the time to create a plan. Your plan should not only include the area where you want to work, the piece of furniture or wall you wish to transform, but also the style and color of marble you want to recreate. This means taking a trip to your local home improvement center or stone retailer and studying the various types of marble. It is also wise to purchase a small sample of the marble you want to recreate to have on hand as a reference point when you start your project.
Materials
While creating a faux marble does not require a large investment, it does require the following items:
- Paint/Glaze: You will need two types of paint to finish this project. A base coat color, and a slightly lighter color top coat glaze. Make the glaze by mixing one part paint to four parts glaze.
- Brushes: Besides a typical paintbrush to apply the base and top coats, you will also need a sponge or cloth as well as a fine point brush or a sturdy feather such as a turkey feather to create the veins in the marble.
- Additional materials: You will also need a drop cloth to protect the area you are working in, sandpaper to prepare the item or wall you want to transform, and safety materials like gloves, goggles, and a painter's mask to help avoid fumes.
Instructions
Once you have all your materials together and a clear idea of what you want your finished product to look like, you are ready to begin. However, it might help to first practice on a small piece of wood or cardboard to prevent making large mistakes once you move on to your desired piece of furniture or wall.
Step 1: Prepare the piece of furniture or wall you wish to paint. This includes cleaning, sanding, filling in holes, and removing any residues.
Step 2: Apply the base coat.
Step 3: After the paint is sufficiently dry, lightly apply the top coat glaze with a brush.
Step 4: Using a cloth or sponge, wipe away various areas of the wet glaze. This will allow the bottom coat color to shine through and thus create areas of light and dark. Set aside and allow time to dry.
Step 5: Once you have created an effect you are happy with, it is time to add the veins in the marble. Take either the fine point brush or feather and gently create random lines over the furniture or wall using the tinted glaze. Use different, but complimentary colors for this process. You may also want to apply one layer, let it dry, and then create another layer on top using a feather brush to blend the two layers together. This will give the effect of veins buried beneath the surface.
Practice makes perfect
After you finish your first faux marbling project, compare it with other examples you find online or in magazines. While your first attempt may not pass as a work of art, you are sure to develop better and more refined techniques each time you attempt this project. Do not get discouraged, and never be afraid to experiment with color and style.
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