To learn Faux Finishing - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

sprayer48 · 09-29-2008, 10:46 PM

Hey Guys,
Been painting for 23 years now. Think I need to branch out and learn to faux finish. How can I learn to do this and other poplar finishing.

Any ideas ?
thanks.
Mark

MALCO.New.York · 09-29-2008, 11:21 PM

If you want the best. The VERY best. Unequivocal best. Go where my Mother, A MASTER ARTISAN TEACHER got her training. The Isabel O'Neil Studio and Foundation in NYC.

It is NOT cheap.

http://isabeloneil.org/

Dmax Consulting · 10-01-2008, 01:28 PM

Spray48,

I am sure that the Isabel O'neil Studio is a great place, but how many jobs are you going to have to do to pay for a trip to New York and enrollment in a fancy paint school. I would go to your local paint places ie Sherwin-Williams, Ben Moore, Home Depot, and Lowe's and talk to them about faux finishing. Ther all offer classes on how to do some of the more common faux methods (color washing, sponging, striping, venetian plaster, glazing, crackle, etc.) You can buy books that show you the techniques. Once you have an idea of what you want to learn, go buy some drywall, the faux products you need, and some beer, and go to work. I have learned how to do a lot of faux techniques just by playing around with the products. Fauxing is like riding a bike, once you get the hang of it, its not that hard.

Teaching your crews how to do it is another story.

Have fun

kbdesigns · 10-15-2008, 08:28 AM

If you are wanting to do this as a profession, absolutely DO NOT take a "class" from a Lowes or Home Depot type place. You need to go to a school that offers professional training. Believe me, your first job will more than pay for the class price. Email me with your location and I can give you a list of some very good places. You might also want to talk to some pros here www.talkfaux.com

WisePainter · 10-15-2008, 02:49 PM

I spent 1 year as an apprentice for a full time faux company.

I made $10 an hour

however the experience I gained has added greatly to my yearly earnings.
Not to mention expand my portfolio, I mastered over 20 different finishes.
Most cities have a faux school, however they are ALL very expensive, and sometimes only cater to bored housewives and not professionals.
As a matter of fact some of these "schools" charge far more than necessary, I sometimes think I should open a school and teach faux rather than bust ass applying it...
lol.

It is so much easier if you have that painting background, and much like a magic trick once you know the "secret" it becomes obvious how to achieve the desired results.

Snow Man · 10-15-2008, 07:02 PM

Consistancy , if you got it.

You become the wall. It's crazy what you can do with cellofane,sponges,foil,horsehair,crazy.

WisePainter · 10-15-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow Man

Consistancy , if you got it.

You become the wall. It's crazy what you can do with cellofane,sponges,foil,horsehair,crazy.

Boy if that isn't the proper word to use there!

Anyone can faux finish, but can you sell it for big bucks?

I can!

kbdesigns · 11-08-2008, 03:51 PM

You can make back the money spent on a good school with your first job. Well worth the money spent when you leave a class with an average of 25 sample boards, learned techniques and the skills to get you started in business. And no, not everyone can do this. The difference between a trained and untrained finisher is the difference between a filet and a mcburger.

MALCO.New.York · 11-08-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbdesigns

You can make back the money spent on a good school with your first job. Well worth the money spent when you leave a class with an average of 25 sample boards, learned techniques and the skills to get you started in business. And no, not everyone can do this. The difference between a trained and untrained finisher is the difference between a filet and a mcburger.

Got that right!!!

"Sample Boards" is a Tell-Tale that you Know that you know the Art of the Painted Finish!

One can not learn PROPER Technique and Design Methods at the Box Store Clinics.

Actually. you can learn there, if you Aspire to a $2000.00 Foyer or Lobby gig versus a $40,000 gig!

WisePainter · 11-09-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbdesigns

You can make back the money spent on a good school with your first job. Well worth the money spent when you leave a class with an average of 25 sample boards, learned techniques and the skills to get you started in business. And no, not everyone can do this. The difference between a trained and untrained finisher is the difference between a filet and a mcburger.

Me thinks you teach one of those 3 day classes for $2,000.00

Outrageous.

If you cannot learn a technique by watching a faux finisher for a good hour, you are throwing your money away.

That is after all how I learned...

MALCO.New.York · 11-09-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WisePainter

Me thinks you teach one of those 3 day classes for $2,000.00

Outrageous.

If you cannot learn a technique by watching a faux finisher for a good hour, you are throwing your money away.

That is after all how I learned...

AS much as I agree with you on nearly ever post..............One CAN NOT learn by just "Watching".

Can you learn to "float" paint to create a proper Bresch Marble look with 6 layers of finish and 30 + of Varnish, Tuff-Backing in between EVERY coat just by watching?????

NO!

Can one create the proper "pink" color using Japan Colors for Rhodochrosite just by watching?

NO!

YEARS of practice and application is the ONLY way to become a Faux Finisher of Note!

WisePainter · 11-09-2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MALCO.New.York

AS much as I agree with you on nearly ever post..............One CAN NOT learn by just "Watching".

Can you learn to "float" paint to create a proper Bresch Marble look with 6 layers of finish and 30 + of Varnish just by watching?????

NO!

Can one create the proper "pink" color using Japan Colors for Rhodochrosite just by watching?

[IMG]http://www.galleries.com/minerals/carbonat/rhodochr/rho-23.gif[/IMG

NO!

YEARS of practice and application is the ONLY way to become a Faux Finisher of Note!

Now I never said I know every single finish available to clients, however I do know for a fact that if I can see a technique in person I will duplicate it accurately.

I wish I could perform brain $urgery as well...

Wrong set of genes I guess.

EDIT: Add the "]" to the end of your IMG code, I would really like to see the picture!!!!

kbdesigns · 11-11-2008, 08:43 AM

You are very ignorant wise?painter. Would you go into any profession without being trained? I would be interested in seeing some of your work and I mean your work, not someone else's passed off as yours like someone else on here.

By the way I do not teach, except for a few local one day classes twice a year.

MALCO.New.York · 11-11-2008, 08:50 AM

This is the Quintessential Book on Faux.

WisePainter · 11-11-2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbdesigns

You are very ignorant wise?painter. Would you go into any profession without being trained? I would be interested in seeing some of your work and I mean your work, not someone else's passed off as yours like someone else on here.

By the way I do not teach, except for a few local one day classes twice a year.

1) LOL at your response.

2) I don't really need to prove myself to such a hothead as yourself.

3)

!

Yeah, you are a faux teacher and I called you on it.
Apparently that bothers you quite a bit that another member figured you out just by reading your posts.

A WISE other member.

WisePainter · 11-11-2008, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WisePainter

Me thinks you teach one of those 3 day classes for $2,000.00

Outrageous.

Oh hey look, here is the post I made that got your undies all up in a bunch...

WisePainter · 11-11-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MALCO.New.York

AS much as I agree with you on nearly ever post..............One CAN NOT learn by just "Watching".

Can you learn to "float" paint to create a proper Bresch Marble look with 6 layers of finish and 30 + of Varnish just by watching?????

NO!

Can one create the proper "pink" color using Japan Colors for Rhodochrosite just by watching?

NO!

YEARS of practice and application is the ONLY way to become a Faux Finisher of Note!

I like it, I wanna see a bigger pic if that is possible?

LAD · 11-13-2008, 09:03 AM

I agree. You just can't get the 'feel' of certain techniques without doing it...alot. i.e.Some Italian plasters if burnished too hard in between layers will seal up not allowing you to add more layers. You can't tell if you're pressing too hard by looking.

MALCO.New.York · 11-13-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WisePainter

I like it, I wanna see a bigger pic if that is possible?

That is actual Real Rhodochrosite.

It is most commonly formed in Stalactites.

MALCO.New.York · 11-13-2008, 09:25 AM

I personally know BUNK about Faux! What I do know comes from 20+ Years of my Mothers words, Designs and some of my helping her move with LARGE PIECES. And MANY a Gala At Sothebys concerning the Isabell O'Neill Studio (The Wealthy Ladies Day School!!!

)

Osmosis is the term that comes to mind.