Skip to main content

How to Create a Verdigris Faux Finish

Copper takes on a wonderful patina after time, turning its shiny metallic finish into an aged rough surface with years of depth and a plethora of green hues. Learn to create a faux finish verdigris effect and suddenly inexpensive everyday items are transformed into valuable heirlooms, or at least they look like heirlooms.

Steps to painting a verigris faux finish

Verdigris Faux Finish Preparation

Before beginning the verdigris faux finishing process every item will need a little preparation.

  • Cleaning – The item that will receive a verdigris faux finish needs to be cleaned thoroughly to remove any dirt or grease build up. If the object is metal a light sanding with a fine sandpaper may help paint adhere.
  • Primer – A primer isn’t always necessary but it may be if the original item is too dark or a surface that is difficult for paint to adhere to. If the object is plastic then a primer designed for plastic is necessary. Use personal discretion to determine if a primer is called for.

Painting a Verdigris Finish

The painting part is the longest and most difficult part of the verdigris process. The good news is that it doesn’t require a skilled painter, in fact the worse the paint job the better. Remember to let the paint dry thoroughly between every application.

  • Base Coat – The base coat, not including any primers used, is needs to be a metallic paint. If the look attempted is meant to be an authentic verdigris then a copper metallic paint should be used. Cover the entire item in the paint, but don’t worry about getting a perfect finish.
  • Dark Green – The next coat of paint in the verdigris decorative painting process is a dark green coat which doesn’t cover all of the metallic paint, in fact it’s applied with a sponge so make sure to leave spots where the metallic finish shows through.
  • Lighter Greens – The same green paint can be used by adding white to lighten it. Apply the lighter shade(s) in the same manner as the dark green was applied, in blobs and haphazardly. Keep diluting the green with the white paint and adding additional coats until the finish reaches the desired level, with some of the metallic bronze and dark green still peeking through.

Finishing Touches on a Verdigris Project

The verdigris faux finish is almost done now and probably looks incredible but by completing the final two steps the project will become even more durable and authentic looking.

  • Blue Coat – To add the final, finishing touch, water down a light blue-grey latex paint and dab it onto the surface or brush on a thin watery layer evenly and then dab it off gently with a soft paper towel or white rag before it gets a chance to dry.
  • Clear Finish – Finally, after the entire piece has had a chance to thoroughly dry and cure it’s time to apply at least two coats of a clear polyurethane acrylic to give it a glossy finish and to protect the verdigris paint job.

Creating a verdigris faux finish is actually a very easy task, it just requires a lot of time waiting for paint to dry. But for anyone with some free time, a little creative skill and a vision almost anything can be given a verdigris finish.

The post How to Create a Verdigris Faux Finish appeared first on All around the house.



from All around the house http://allaroundthe.house/verdigris-faux-finish/
via IFTTT
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

10 DIY Winter Home Repairs

The winter months can become very hard on your home. Problems always arise during the winter months, and always seem more expensive. Start at the first sign of winter, so you will have fewer repairs to make yourself through them cold winter months. Doing this yourself can save you a lot of money in the long run. Tip #1- Clean Gutters / Fix Cracks You should make sure all debris are cleaned from your gutters right before winter starts and then once in the middle of winter. I have found the easiest way to clean these if with a small set of garden tools. Use the shovel to scrape the leaves out of there. Then use the small rake they give you to help. Once you have removed it all, take a garden hose and spray it off, making sure the water drains correctly. If you have cracks in your gutters then purchase some putty to fill in these cracks. Water damage can cost a lot of money. When it snows, that water needs a place to go. If your water has no place to go, then its going to sit on your h...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Different Choices Of Paving Materials For Your Garden

Once you have decided to opt for paving your garden you need to make a choice of the paving materials. This is a little daunting task, as you need to have some knowledge and information on the different paving materials available so that you can choose the paver accordingly. The apt paving material chosen can add texture, color, and a specific pattern to a garden. The paving material, which is commonly used, fall into two categories, composite material, and quarried stones.     Listed Below Are Types Of Pavers Used for Garden Walks:   Brick is easy for the installation. Inter-locking pavers are strong, flexible, and they can withstand harsh weather. This is available in a wide range of patterns and colors. The rubber used as paver can be beneficial, as it is slip resistant, ensuring the safety factor Flagstone is apt for those looking for a rich texture. Stone is a favored choice for many, as this is a natural beauty, which does not fade away with the passing ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Chives – Allium schoenoprasum

Known as common garden chives, Allium schoenoprasum, can be grown indoors and out. Chives are rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, and calcium. They are grown for the flavour of their leaves, which is reminiscent of onion, although much milder. Both the stems and light purple flowers are used in cooking and the snipped leaves are an addition to many dishes. Chives lose their flavour with long cooking so it is best to add them to dishes at the last minute. For chopping stems, a pair of scissors is the best tool. Chives can be frozen or dried. They are less flavourful when dried rather that frozen, so they are best used when fresh and snipped, or snipped and frozen. In both cases sort them carefully, removing any yellowing leaves and shoots, and keep only the plump green ones. It is possible to place chives in non-iodized salt, keep them there for several weeks, remove the leaves, and then bottle the ‘chive salt’ for use in flavouring. Chives are a perennial in the garden and grow app...
Post a Comment
Read more