Do it Yourself Faux Painting Finishes

There are many different types of faux finish painting techniques you can use on walls, floors and even furniture. One faux finish effect that looks simply beautiful is marbling. The completed look can make you think this technique is difficult to master. But with just a little effort, you can turn your dull wood floor into an elegant "marble" one, or give a tired old dresser a classy new marbleized top.

Picture of marble you want to emulate
White paint
Paint roller
Artist's oil colors: black, light gray, dark gray and silver
Oil-based glaze
Paintbrushes (bristled not foam)
Lint-free cloth
Bird's feather or quill
Softening brush
Dry cloth
Fine artist's brush
White spirit
Matte varnish

Instructions

- 1
  
  A paint roller is good for covering large surfaces.
  
  Cover the surface you've decided to marbleize with a couple of coats of white paint.
- 2
  Add a little light gray oil paint to the oil-based glaze. Use a bristled paintbrush to apply a thin layer of paint.
- 3
  While the paint is still wet, soften the glaze with a lint-free cloth by rubbing the surface gently. This will blend the colors and remove the brush marks. If you are working on a large surface area, you'll want to work in sections so that the paint doesn't dry before you can soften the glaze.
- 4
  Thin some black paint with some oil-based glaze. Dip a feather into this mixture and gently draw across the surface to look like the veins of the marble you are imitating.
- 5
  Blur the outlines of the veining with the softening brush. Be sure to wipe this brush regularly on a dry cloth to avoid smudges.
- 6
  Dip your fine artist's brush in the white spirit and trace over the veins you drew. This will make the lines thinner and soften the effect further.
- 7
  Repeat steps 4, 5 & 6 to add a second color, if you wish.
- 8
  Allow the paint to dry per manufacturer's instructions. Protect your marbleized faux finished wall, floor or piece of furniture with several coats of varnish.

Techniques for How to Texture a Wall

Faux Finish Ideas for Floors

Faux Finishing