Marbleizing with Paint

Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E Figure F Figure G Figure H  WINDOWS MEDIA VIDEO You don't need to spend a fortune for the classic look of marble. All you need are a few cans of paint and some painting supplies. Click the icon above for a brief overview.

If you want a new look for your home, you might want to consider marbleizing some of the trim or woodwork. Marbleizing is a faux finish painting technique that creates the look of real marble.

Materials:
soft brushes of different sizes
artist's brushes
sea sponges
test board
sandpaper
primer
paint

Before you try this technique on a piece of furniture or trim, practice on a test board (you may find it helpful to examine a piece of real marble first). Find a scrap piece of plywood approximately 2'x2' and marbleize it until you feel comfortable with the technique. Another advantage of the test board is that it will give you a better idea of what the finished product will look like than you'd get from a small paint chip.

Steps:

1. Start by cleaning and sanding the object you plan to paint. Then apply one or two coats of primer to the surface, sanding between each coat. In some cases, you may be able to save time by tinting the primer the same color as your base coat.

2. Use a brush to apply one or two coats of base paint. Marble has a layered look, so you may want to use a two-tone base coat with complementary colors (figure A ).

3. Allow the base coat to dry. Then use a two-inch brush to apply a lighter color at an angle (figure B) to simulate the angled striations seen in real marble.

4. While the angled paint is still wet, dampen a four-inch brush with water and use it to blend the two colors together (figure C). Brush lightly against the grain and then with the grain for the best blended look.

5. After the blended paint has dried, mix a thin glaze using a light gray (or other color) paint with enough water to give the glaze a watery consistency. Apply the glaze over the entire marbleized area (figure D).

6. Blot the glaze off using a damp sea sponge (figure E). Also, drag the sponge lightly across the glaze for a striping effect. Repeat the blotting process with a damp rag to remove more of the glaze. Pay particular attention to corners and detailed shapes.

7. Allow the glaze to dry. Then thin some darker paints with water (not too thin--they might drip) and apply them with an artist's brush for added depth (figure F ). Be creative when applying the paint; imagine how real marble would be veined. Before the paint dries, stipple it by bouncing the end of a larger brush over it (figure G). Then blot the paint with a moist rag and allow it to dry.

8. Mix another watery glaze, this time using white paint. Apply the glaze over the entire piece, and repeat the process of sponging and blotting used for the previous glaze.

9. After the white glaze dries, use an artist's brush (some people prefer to use a feather for this step) to apply fine veining with both light and dark colors (figure H ). Grip the brush loosely and allow the veining to "wander" the way it does in real marble. Keep in mind that the veins should go from one edge to the other rather than starting or stopping in the middle of the piece.

10. After the veining has dried, apply a coat of high-gloss polyurethane. This final coat will provide the luster of real marble in addition to protecting the faux finish.

Also in this Episode

Fix It Up! : Episode FIX-117
•	Marbleizing with Paint