Faux painting is a way to achieve extraordinary decorating effects, yet it isn't expensive and you don't need to splash out on piles of gadgets and specialist equipment. Save your money for quality paints. You might want a few extras, such as stencils for some finishes, but you may already have most or all of the equipment you need.
If you're a beginner - or to make sure you're properly prepared - this checklist will help you take stock before you embark on your faux painting project.
Getting Prepared
Paint Wear: Wear loose, comfortable clothes and shoes with non-slip soles. Headgear is advisable - paint has a way of getting into hair and staying there.
Flooring Protectors: If your room is carpeted, make sure the floors are covered well against splashes and spills. Newspaper and plastic are a less desirable option. Plastic is slippery and sheets of paper shift about and stick infuriatingly to the soles of your shoes. Fabric coverings absorb paint and though old sheets might do, your best bet is a closely woven canvas drop cloth designed for the purpose. They are reusable and well worth the investment.
Filler/ Putty/ Spackling Compound: Before you apply any paint you'll need to fill holes and cracks in your surface, using a palette or putty knife. Quick-drying fillers are your best option. Wait till properly dry before sanding to a smooth finish.
Masking Tape: This sticky-backed paper tape will help keep paint off areas like door frames and window glass and help you achieve a neat edge. For painting clean borders and straight stripes, masking tape is a must.
Tools & Accessories
Ladder: For ceilings and walls an aluminum ladder with a shelf to put your paint pot on is recommended. If your ladder doesn't have a shelf, there is a gadget (a 'painter's assistant') that will help you attach your tin to your ladder. Beware of heavy, full tins that can pull the ladder over.
Paint Stirrers: These might be supplied with your paint. If not, make sure whatever you use for stirring is clean. Twigs may shed bits of bark in your paint and spoil your finish.
Bucket for Storage: Even if you're not mixing paints, a bucket is handy for storing all your painting odds and ends as you go along, rather than cluttering up your workspace.
Paints: The right type and quality of paint is fundamental to the success of your faux painting finish. This is one area where you can't afford to cut corners.
Paint Applicators: You may need different brushes for different tasks, but a good multi-purpose brush is one with 6mm (2") angled bristles. Bristles shed from cheap brushes so this is another area where you shouldn't skimp. Other applicators are necessary for some techniques. Sponges are used for color washing. Car washing sponges are ideal for this task. Paint rollers, with the nap matched to the task in hand, help you cover large surfaces quickly. Skins - liners for your paint tray - are disposable and will save you cleaning time.
Misc. Accessories
A utility knife and/or a flat razor blade come in handy for cleaning paint splashes on glass, cutting painters tape and various other tasks. A screwdriver helps with levering open tins and unscrewing wall fittings if necessary.
Cleaning Accessories
Cleaning rags: Almost any old scrap will do as long as it's colorfast. Rags aren't just for brush cleaning - you might need them for spills and splashes. Don't worry about special brush-cleaning compounds. Dishwashing liquid will do the job, even on cream stencils that are partly oil-based.
You can go overboard buying all the fancy painting tools and kits out there, but keeping it simple is easy to do with this list. You may need to purchase sponges, stencils and other tools and special to create a certain faux finish, but these can be purchased individually for the unique needs of your project. - 14915
If you're a beginner - or to make sure you're properly prepared - this checklist will help you take stock before you embark on your faux painting project.
Getting Prepared
Paint Wear: Wear loose, comfortable clothes and shoes with non-slip soles. Headgear is advisable - paint has a way of getting into hair and staying there.
Flooring Protectors: If your room is carpeted, make sure the floors are covered well against splashes and spills. Newspaper and plastic are a less desirable option. Plastic is slippery and sheets of paper shift about and stick infuriatingly to the soles of your shoes. Fabric coverings absorb paint and though old sheets might do, your best bet is a closely woven canvas drop cloth designed for the purpose. They are reusable and well worth the investment.
Filler/ Putty/ Spackling Compound: Before you apply any paint you'll need to fill holes and cracks in your surface, using a palette or putty knife. Quick-drying fillers are your best option. Wait till properly dry before sanding to a smooth finish.
Masking Tape: This sticky-backed paper tape will help keep paint off areas like door frames and window glass and help you achieve a neat edge. For painting clean borders and straight stripes, masking tape is a must.
Tools & Accessories
Ladder: For ceilings and walls an aluminum ladder with a shelf to put your paint pot on is recommended. If your ladder doesn't have a shelf, there is a gadget (a 'painter's assistant') that will help you attach your tin to your ladder. Beware of heavy, full tins that can pull the ladder over.
Paint Stirrers: These might be supplied with your paint. If not, make sure whatever you use for stirring is clean. Twigs may shed bits of bark in your paint and spoil your finish.
Bucket for Storage: Even if you're not mixing paints, a bucket is handy for storing all your painting odds and ends as you go along, rather than cluttering up your workspace.
Paints: The right type and quality of paint is fundamental to the success of your faux painting finish. This is one area where you can't afford to cut corners.
Paint Applicators: You may need different brushes for different tasks, but a good multi-purpose brush is one with 6mm (2") angled bristles. Bristles shed from cheap brushes so this is another area where you shouldn't skimp. Other applicators are necessary for some techniques. Sponges are used for color washing. Car washing sponges are ideal for this task. Paint rollers, with the nap matched to the task in hand, help you cover large surfaces quickly. Skins - liners for your paint tray - are disposable and will save you cleaning time.
Misc. Accessories
A utility knife and/or a flat razor blade come in handy for cleaning paint splashes on glass, cutting painters tape and various other tasks. A screwdriver helps with levering open tins and unscrewing wall fittings if necessary.
Cleaning Accessories
Cleaning rags: Almost any old scrap will do as long as it's colorfast. Rags aren't just for brush cleaning - you might need them for spills and splashes. Don't worry about special brush-cleaning compounds. Dishwashing liquid will do the job, even on cream stencils that are partly oil-based.
You can go overboard buying all the fancy painting tools and kits out there, but keeping it simple is easy to do with this list. You may need to purchase sponges, stencils and other tools and special to create a certain faux finish, but these can be purchased individually for the unique needs of your project. - 14915
About the Author:
Ready to start your faux finish painting project? Faux painting artist Debra "THAT Painter Lady" Conrad has seen and learned a lot in her 17 years of painting. Claim her free "Insider's Guide to Faux Painting" to help you avoid 7 common mistakes of beginner faux painters.
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