Faux painting is an artistic technique that skillfully uses paint to replicate the authentic appearance of various materials.
This type of painting is a historic, inexpensive, and time saving method to achieve beauty for historic interiors, furniture, etc.
While there are many types of faux painting, here we will focus on wood graining to creating the look of beautiful natural wood on painted or even plastic surfaces.
Don’t be frightened – this is surprisingly easy!
As you already know, at Old House Guy we’re pretty strict about embracing the charm and authenticity of historic homes.
So, let’s dive into the world of faux finishes, particularly the art of wood graining.
Picture this: You’ve got a piece of furniture that is just not worth taking the time to strip and do a proper restoration or a portable air-conditioning unit (explained later) that you need to hide or blend into the surroundings. That’s where wood graining solves your problems.
Wood graining is like a magic trick from the past. Back in Victorian times, the elite craved opulent interiors. However, not everyone could afford expensive and imported wood. Materials were expensive but labor was cheap then. Faux wood graining was then in its heyday. This wood graining was even discovered during the restoration of the Tenement Museum in New York City . Check out the link.
During this time one would take ordinary, humbler materials such as inexpensive wood, and transform them into something that looked like it was straight out of a Guilded Age mansion. This was about creating beauty and elegance in a way that was accessible to more people. Don’t think this was the cheap way out! Vanderbuilt mansions in Newport RI. had some faux painting and even George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, had several faux mahogany wood grained doors painted/grained in 1760.
Now, don’t get cold feet thinking this is too complicated for you.
Trust me, it’s easier than you might think.
Wood graining and other faux finishes can play a huge role in preserving the character of our beloved old homes.
They help us maintain that authentic look and feel, even as we and adapt our spaces for modern living as with my air-conditioner story below.
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, wood graining was all the rage, especially in Europe and North America. These techniques have evolved and are still super relevant today. They bridge the gap between art and historical preservation, keeping our connection to the past alive and kicking.
How do You Create a Wood Grain Faux Finish?
Basically you paint an object with a light saturated non-flat paint (can be wall paint) like terra-cotta or orange color and let it dry.
Next you take a brown wood-colored water-based paint like raw umber and add a Glaze to it. A glaze is also called a paint medium. You mix this glaze with the brown paint.
The purpose of the glaze is to extend the drying time of the paint so you can work longer and achieve special effects.
If you apply the brown paint glaze mixture and you don’t like how it looks, you can wipe it off and start again.
This allows you to take your time without the stress of rushing.
So once you apply this mixture there are certain techniques you can use to get the desired effect.
This mixture is partially removed in long sweeps by using certain graining tools or just a piece of roughly torn corrugated cardboard.
Once you are satisfied, just let it dry then apply a varnish or shellac.
You can even apply paste wax on top of the shellac to really make it look like fine antique wood.
My First Experience with Wood Graining.
So as you may have read, I purchased this run-down house that I restored . When I finally restored my way to the mud room it was really bad. The previous owners had painted a wall of shelves and the wood trim a grayish blue with pink splotches.
My first job was to remove those shelves. To my surprise I found beautiful natural stained beadboard behind the shelves. I went a little further and then found a big circle of white paint on the beadboard. So I then started to read up on wood graining. I did what I explained above and used corrugated cardboard. I am proud to say that my very first time doing this came out perfect.
Aside from my wood graining, this beadboard was NOT stripped to get this nice finish . The difference in the wood tone you see in the photo comparison is due to lighting in the room or something else.
Once I did the graining, I applied a mixture of denatured alcohol and amber shellac to all the beadboard using a paint brush. This mixture reamalgamated the old finish. What this means is that the denatured alcohol softens and melts the old finish while the new shellac combines with the old finish into one new beautiful finish. This method preserves the aged patina of the wood. Denatured alcohol is to shellac as paint thinner is to paint.
So yes I am guilty of being proud of myself for accomplishing this and not even experimenting first which I do not recommend.
Turning a Formica Display Case Into Mahogany.
OK so I am on a roll. My second time was for the South River Museum which I am a trustee for.
My Portable A/C Wood Graining.
My A/C was weak on the 2nd floor so I bought a standing unit. It did not match the period in white so I did a faux grain of walnut. Not my best work but it looks better than it was. See the progression.
There are graining combs etc. that will improve the wood look. I used one but didn’t read up on how to use it. The result was ok but it could look much much better if I only took the time.
Resources for Wood Graining & Other Faux Finishes:
- First you can find a ton of information and how-to’s online.
- Also check out this link to my recommended books on Faux Finishes & Wood Graining .
- And check out my article on Paint Stripping and Wood Refinishing.
- During the restoration of my house I spent 3 years stripping the paint off the wood. Wood graining would be so much easier but there was so much paint that the details would have been hidden. See pictures here.
Leave a Reply