How to Do Faux Paint on Plaster Statuary

Place the statue onto the center of a drop cloth, with enough space on the cloth so you can freely move around the statue.

Seal the plaster with urethane to keep dirt from the plaster’s pores and to prevent the plaster from absorbing the paint too quickly, creating an uneven-looking surface. Sponge the urethane onto the statue, beginning at the top of the piece and working downward to avoid drips. An oil-based urethane is best, as it tends to resist outside elements better than the water-based variety. Allow the urethane 24 hours' drying time, then apply a second coat. Dry 24 hours more and sponge a third coat on. Give this final coat 24 hours to dry as well.

Put a layer of khaki-colored primer paint on the plaster, using a paintbrush. Start at the top of the statue and brush your way downward, applying the primer coat in two thin layers for full coverage. Allow the first layer to dry for about 15 minutes before applying the second, and then allow the full coat to dry completely for the time recommended by the primer manufacturer.

Thin a turquoise paint with paint thinner on a palette just until the paint begins to spread. Take a stiff-bristled paintbrush and dip it into the paint, then blot on a piece of paper until the brush is nearly dry. Lay the paint on the plaster over the khaki, covering it but allowing the khaki paint to show through slightly. Repeat the process, and wait two hours for the paint to dry.

Cover the turquoise paint with a layer of lime-green paint. Thin and apply the same way as you did the turquoise, still allowing the khaki and turquoise to show though. Wait for the paint to dry overnight.

Thin white paint to 50 percent by adding about 1/4 water and 1/4 paint extender to slow the drying process. Brush the thinned white paint over the statue, and then blot the paint off with a soft cloth until only a light haze remains.

Use a soft cloth to cover the piece with a metallic bronze burnishing powder to complete the illusion of a green patina-covered bronze statue. Use a light brushing of the powder to give just a hint of the metal beneath the patina. Allow the statue to dry for 24 hours.

Protect the paint job with two coats of an oil-based urethane finish. Apply the finish with a sponge, rubbing it on in an even layer from the top of the statue to its bottom. Wait 24 hours for drying after the application of each coat. As well as protecting the paint from wear and tear, the urethane will also provide a water-resistant layer for the piece.