DIY Faux Painting: Marbling

Marbling is an advance faux painting technique that gives off the rich look of real marble. If you are new to faux painting, you will want to do several practice runs on scrap wood before attempting the marbling paint technique on an actual wall or furniture surface. Once you've mastered the technique, you'll be ready to get the look of marble on walls, pillars, furniture, kitchen backsplashes, headboards, and much more.

Supplies need for marbling:

- Eggshell paint
- Solvent-based oil glaze
- Lint-free cloth
- Dusting brush for faux finishing
- Artists' paintbrush
- Artists' oils
- Softening brush for faux finishing
- Photograph of marble

Note - If you are unsure as to what any of the supplies above are, consult the paint professionals at your local home improvement store. They will direct you to the proper supplies.

Marbling paint technique:

There are many different methods of marbling, some are more time-consuming and advanced than others. We are recommendation a marbling paint technique that, while advanced, is a bit less complicated than some of the other procedures. To help with visualization, it's a good idea to have either a photograph of a piece of marble or an actual marble slab in front of you while working.

STEP 1 - If the surface is not pre-painted with an eggshell paint, this is what you will need to do first. Allow to dry overnight.

STEP 2 - Working in 10" - 12" segments, apply a thin coat of glaze using a lint-free rag. To get the look of marble, apply the glaze in a diagonal direction, instead of the standard up and down motion.

STEP 3 - While the glaze is still wet, go over the surface with a dusting brush. A grainy look will begin to take place. To give the surface the same inconsistent look as real marble, lightly dab the brush in the glaze and apply more the excess sporadically across the surface.

STEP 4 - Combine a mixture of artists' oils with the glaze and begin drawing veins onto the still-wet walls. To get the look of marble remember that irregularity is key! Draw thick lines, thin lines, long lines, short lines, etc. This will give it a natural-looking effect when the marbling is complete.

STEP 5 - Soften the marbling paint technique by blending the finished area with a softening brush. As you are softening, wipe the brush frequently on a lint-free rag to avoid smudges and clumps of paint.

STEP 6 - To add depth to your marbling paint technique, go back in and add more veining. This will be applied, again, with the artists' brush and oils. When done, go back over the surface with the softening brush.

More from Jennifer Wagner:

A Simple Guide to Sponge Painting

Suede Paint Technique

How to Lime Wash Walls

SOURCE:

Personal knowledge and experience

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2034195/a_simple_guide_to_sponge_painting.html?cat=6

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7908529/dress_up_your_home_with_faux_painting.html?cat=30

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2034177/suede_paint_technique_.html?cat=6

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2808290/how_to_lime_wash_walls.html?cat=6