Faux Finish Techniques: Marbleizing Zinsser Products Used: BLEND & GLAZE™ BULLS EYE® SHELLAC Other Materials Needed: 1 Paint tray per color 1 Natural sea sponge per color Pointed artist brush Goose feather Plastic plates
Project Description: Marbling (or Marbleizing) is a process of layering tinted glazes over a white or colored base coat to create a marble-like finsh of sheeer elegance. Try this technique on a fireplace mantle for a truly luxurious look
Project Steps:
Step 1 - Sponge Work Area
Dab on the first glaze color with a damp sponge over the entire work area. Allow base coat to show through.
Step 2 - Apply Second Color
Apply the second coat glaze color in the same manner as step one. Mottle the two colors a bit with the sponge or crumpled plastic.
Step 3 - Apply Marbleizing Veins
Put a small amount of the veining glaze color in a plastic plate. Load the tip of the artist brush with some glaze. Drag or push the tool across the mottled surface to suggest veins. You can also use a feather in the very same manner to vary the look of the veins
Step 4 - Add Fine Veins
Add fine marks or veins with the feather or artist brush using the same glaze color or a lighter shade. Small veins can travel across the marble, shifting position up or down slightly whenever crossing over larger veins.
Step 5 - Add White highlights
Add white highlights or crystalline marks inside the wider veins using the feather or artist brush.
Step 6 - Protect your Creation
Apply a topcoat of clear finish or Bulls Eye Shellac. HELPFUL HINTS Do not overload the sponges with too much color. Blot off any excess. Try to imitate the natural variation seen in real marble - asymmetry is the key. Natural veins have lots of contrast besides color. For example, veins may be long or short, narrow or wide, continuous or broke, parallel or angled. Roll the handle of the artist brush between the fingers and thumb to get lots of nice contrast in your veining. Use a soft blending brush to soften the veins. Soften with the very tips of the brush using short back and forth dusting strokes. First soften against the width of each vein with the length of each vein.