Jun 17, 2016
Efex and Gilding Wax
Gilding wax and Efex go together like a hand and glove. One is the form and substance; the other is the design and glitz.
This week we worked with several colors of gilding wax mixing them together and with paint to see which combinations we liked the best.
Of course, there is always an easy starting point: Kings Gold. This shell CC 13 has a simple coat of wax over the top. Not even any paint – just waxes.
This set of scrolls (SC 49) was waxed with a two-step process. Start by mixing Tin gilding wax with mineral spirits to dissolve the wax, and paint with an artist brush.
For a second coat, mix Tin and Kings Gold with mineral spirits.
(Psst. I got this recipe from my friend Stacy’s Cabinet Recipes)
Gilding M
It turned out we needed a new set of pictures of our medallion, M, so two of these lovelies began a transformation from buff colored to faded patina.
One medallion’s transformation used Tin gilding wax and Florence Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan.
The process for is very simple. Mix a diluted gilding wax and mineral spirits and pour out a small sample of paint. Dab your paint brush in the Florence and into the Tin, then, starting at the top of the moulding and working in sections, paint and wipe back. Repeat all steps with different amounts of wax and paint until you have the desired look. Note: use tiny amount of paint to larger amount of wax. Doing this rather randomly I discovered that the Florence would go in the cracks and then by adding extra wax and lightly brushing and rubbing this is the effect you make.
Having finished the Tin medallion, I moved on to Copper and Florence. Using the same process, work your way around the piece rubbing and adding here and there to get an aged copper patina:
Our last example we painted straight Tin on the rosette R 77. Paired on a black background it looks stunning:
You can get your gilding wax at most of our Efex retailers or The Southern institute of Faux Finishing.
Mar 10, 2016
Janet Creates – It could be a weekly TV show…. and if you’re anything like me, you would be waiting for every chapter.
Our friend Janet Metzger from The Empty Nest is not only a great furniture painter, she is an amazing talent using many art mediums including Chalk Paint®.
Today we are sharing some stunning Easter projects.
Janet’s “Treat du Jour” are these lovely jewelry boxes, decoupaged and
decorated with roses from Efex.
Jane’s creativity doesn’t stop and start with furniture and Efex.
Meet Hortensia
Hortensia is one of my favorite primitives. For more of Janet’s art hop on over to her website, or
if your near Warrenton, VA stop and see this lovely almost finished painting.
Happy Easter
Feb 3, 2016
This Before and After is not an Illusion…
Her store name in French loosely translates into painter of illusions, but this is not an illusion. This makeover from Peintre del llusion will amaze you!
My friend Johanne is not a simple painter. Trained as a faux finisher she knows more great tricks than anyone I know.
Last winter she, her husband (who is a wine merchant) and model beautiful daughter came to visit us in Maine over Easter.
We shared fun times and a lot of laughs as she tried to teach me how to create faux marble. I learned a lot but I’m not as talented as she is. Of course between painting and touring around midcoast Maine we shared some great wine.
Let’s look at what the talented Johanne as done today.
This little chest was just a wreck. Most people would not have even touched it. I would have gotten rid of it as it was. In my eye it was beyond repair.
Not our Johanne, Frist she added some Efex. The trim is T42 and 2 B9’s on the side.
She began painting with a coat of Old White Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan.
While the first coat was still wet, she wrapped silk paper over the entire piece to hide the damage. Would you have thought of that? Never in a million years would it have crossed my mind. Then she second coat of old white. Finally, she dry brushed French Linen and waxed with clear and dark wax.
Lets toast to this stunning makeover.
