Susie Goldenberg has both taken classes and picked up her faux-finishing techniques by trail and error. The result? A faux finishing technique that uses water-based glazes and torn poster board to reproduce the rich look of a marble column. Materials: Two shades of water-based glaze (French red and Earth brown are used here)
Small paint roller
Bristle brush
Plastic grocery bags
Dampened sea sponge, medium to large size
Rubbing alcohol
Poster board, torn in half
Cheesecloth
Latex gloves
Dry sponge brush
- Use small paint roller to roll the two shades of glaze in a random pattern over the column surface (figure A).
- Next, use dry bristle brush to gently blend the shades.
- Scrunch the plastic bag, then "dab" over the surface to add texture. To add even more texture, follow this step by dabbing the column surface with the dampened sponge.
- To create a pitted effect (found in real marble), dip gloved fingers into rubbing alcohol, then "flick" small amounts of the alcohol onto the column surface.
- To create the veins found in marble, tear a piece of poster board in half. The two halves will have two different irregular edges that can be alternated as you complete the faux effect.
- Place one of the poster board edges against the column surface, then use a dry sponge brush to push the glaze against the torn edge (figure B). Continue along the length of the poster board edge, then move the piece to a new area and repeat the technique.
- Once "veining" has been added, press cheesecloth against the glazed surface to smooth brush marks and help minimize undesired surface flaws -- but remember, a few flaws create a realistic appearance!
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