Four Fab Faux Finishes

Faux finishes are a lot of fun to paint and can be simulated with just a few simple steps. This project features four unique looks, and we’ll show you how to create each one. We used 8" paper-mache letters purchased from Pat Catan’s for this tutorial. The letters H, O, M and E each have a different technique used.

Faux Finish #1 – Oxidized Bronze

Colors Needed: 
General Finishes Bronze Pearl Effects
General Finishes Patina Green Milk Paint.

1.    Apply 1-2 coats of Bronze Pearl Effects. Let dry between coats.
2.    Using a chip brush, dab on random spots of Patina Green.
3.    While still wet, go back over with more of the Bronze Pearl, layering if necessary, until you get a mottled look.

Faux Finish #2 – Aged Metallic 

Colors Needed:
Gray base coat – 50/50 mix of General Finishes Milk Paint Queenstown Gray and Seagull Gray
General Finishes Pearl Effects – Argentine, Bronze and Tawny
General Finishes Pitch Black Glaze

1.    Paint 1-2 coats of gray base coat.
2.    Paint Argentine Pearl thickly in a crisscross manner leaving strokes visible.
3.    Paint Bronze and Tawny Pearl randomly in a few spots in crisscross manner. Let dry.
4.    Apply Pitch Black Glaze with a chip brush. Blot off immediately with a crumpled paper towel. 

Faux Finish #3 – Rust Effect

Colors Needed:
Black Dog Salvage Furniture Paint – Dirt, Caution Dogs at Work, I Need a Bandage and Black Dog. 
Also need Fine Sand

1.    Create a palette of the 4 colors. Add sand.
2.    Stipple on layers of colors with a chip brush, making sure to mix in sand for a rough base. Let dry.
3.    If needed, add more layering with less sand to variegate the colors. 

Faux Finish #4 – Cracked Leather

Colors Needed:
General Finishes Queenstown Gray Milk Paint or Black Dog Salvage Furniture Paint Mix – either “Coal Dust” or “Fog”
General Finishes Millstone Milk Paint or Black Dog Salvage Furniture Paint Dog Bone
General Finishes Van Dyke Brown Glaze
General Finishes Burnt Umber Glaze

1.    Apply 1-2 coats of gray. Let dry.
2.    Apply a 50/50 wash of water and Millstone or Dog Bone. Blot with crumpled newsprint or paper towel. Let dry.
3.    Brush on Van Dyke Brown glaze. Blot with crumpled plastic wrap. Let dry.
4.    Brush on Burnt Umber glaze. Blot with crumpled plastic wrap. Alternate glazes and texture until cracked leather look is achieved.