Thursday, May 30, 2013

Gilding Waxes for Chalk Paint®

The Gilding Waxes you asked for are at Brocante Home!



Guide to Using Gilding Waxes 

Gilding Waxes are easy and fun to use. They add a little sparkle to any project, humble or grand. You can use a small brush but personally I prefer using my finger to apply the waxes. There is something about the way your finger can just glide across the surface of a bead or relief that looks natural and authentic. Gilding Waxes are the closest thing to the look of real gold leaf but are infinitely easier to apply and come in several stunningly beautiful colors, including silver.

 
    


Like all wax the gilding waxes clean up with a little no-odor mineral sprits. If you get a bit in an unwanted spot simply saturate a cotton swab with a dab of mineral spirits and wipe the area clean. 

Give them a try - they are addictive!


Happy Painting!  Rachel


Chalk Paint® and supplies are available at my two shops:
4323 Irvington Rd., Irvington, VA and 
19 S. Belmont St. (in the heart of Carytown), Richmond, VA
For directions to either shop, click HERE

To see more tips, tutorials and photos: Paintbrush and Pearls



Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Chalk Paint® - A Typical Application

  

I am asked so often about a "typical" application of Chalk Paint® that I thought it worthwhile to write a post on it.

The following is for a typical one or two color painted and distressed finish. There are many options for using this wonderful paint - this is just one of them - and Annie Sloan has several terrific books with step-by-step projects, including Quick & Easy Paint Transformations, The French Look and her newest, Color Recipes for Painted Furniture. Try her Workbook to organize and experiment with Chalk Paint®.

The first coat of Chalk Paint® is put on thicker, moving the brush in different directions to lay on the paint for texture or with the grain for a smooth finish. Varying the direction will add texture that will show when distressing and also grab any dark wax which may later be applied. The first coat is left to dry.

The second coat is applied thinner and smoother and left to thoroughly dry. A small amount of water may be added to the Chalk Paint® to make this step go easier. Or, dip the paint brush in a little bit of water before the paint.

Clear Soft Wax is then applied with a cloth or brush (I prefer a brush), spreading and pushing the wax into the underlying paint. Wipe off all of the excess wax with a clean cloth. Be sure to change out your cloths frequently.

When the wax no longer feels "wet" (this may be only a matter of minutes), you can randomly and lightly sand any edges or other select areas with a fine grit (220 - 300) sandpaper to distress. 

Applying wax before sanding softens the Chalk Paint and makes it easier to distress. It also cuts down on the sanding dust.

Apply another thin coat of Clear Soft Wax, particularly in the areas where you have distressed the finish, and remove all of the excess with a clean cloth.

If desired, apply Dark Soft Wax to further age the piece. Work in small sections and remove the excess Dark Wax with a clean cloth. Be sure to apply the Dark Wax while the Clear Wax is still moist.

For a higher patina or sheen, gently buff with a very fine (600 - 800 grit) sandpaper and / or a clean soft cloth.


Happy Painting!
Rachel


Chalk Paint® and supplies are available at my two shops:
4323 Irvington Rd., Irvington, VA and 
19 S. Belmont St. (in the heart of Carytown), Richmond, VA

To see more tips, tutorials and photos: Paintbrush and Pearls


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Next Chalk Paint® Class - Waxing Techniques



This next Chalk Paint® class is more than just learning the basic techniques of waxing! I'll be showing you how to:

 Wax with both Clear and Dark Soft Wax

Mix Wax and Paint for a Colored Wax

My Secret for Buffing with Sanding Paper, and,

Demonstrate Annie's newest "Wax Paint" Technique


Annie talks about this in her new book, Color Recipes for Painted Furniture, and I will show you how to do it!


Even if you attended my Wax Course before, you won't want to miss this one.

The Class will be held at our shop at DéCOR, 19 South Belmont Ave., (in the heart of Carytown) on Wednesday, May 22 from 1pm to 2pm.

Classes are complimentary, but reservations are requested, so please call DéCOR to reserve your spot at 804-562-8326.

If you want hands-on lessons, join my Chalk Paint® Workshop in Irvington on Thursday, May 23 from 11am to 2pm. For more information on the Class, click HERE.

Happy Painting!

Rachel


Chalk Paint® and supplies are available at my two shops:
4323 Irvington Rd., Irvington, VA and 
19 S. Belmont St. (in the heart of Carytown), Richmond, VA
For directions to either shop, click HERE

To see more tips, tutorials and photos: Paintbrush and Pearls

Friday, May 10, 2013

How to Paint a Harlequin (Diamond) Design with Chalk Paint®


Adding a harlequin or diamond design to furniture, floors or even walls is easy to accomplish with a ruler, frog tape and two colors of Chalk Paint®. 

Follow along as I paint my shop counter...


My shop counter before.

Start by painting the entire surface with one of the colors. In my case, I choose Old White and Graphite. 



It is only necessary to paint one coat - just make certain you have complete coverage. If not, you may want to paint a second coat of the first color.




After the first color has dried, you need to map out the design by first measuring your total surface from top to bottom and then from side to side. You will need to mark off the midpoints with a pencil. 

I drew a point in the mid-point of both the horizontal and the vertical planes of each of the above two panels. Keep cutting the midpoints in half until you have the size of the diamonds. In my case, I was painting four across and one down. You can see on the photo above where the points are by looking at the tape. Tape off the pattern with frog tape.....




Then, fill in the taped area with you second color - here in GraphiteI painted two coats since I was planning on using this as a chalkboard. Repeat until you have painted all of your diamonds. 


Then, pull of the tape and you are finished!


Now, wasn't that easy?

Happy Painting!

Rachel


Chalk Paint® and supplies are available at my two shops:
4323 Irvington Rd., Irvington, VA and 
19 S. Belmont St. (in the heart of Carytown), Richmond, VA

To see more tips, tutorials and photos: Paintbrush and Pearls


Thursday, May 2, 2013

Painting Outdoor Furniture with Chalk Paint®


With Spring in the air, I was inspired to paint a few outdoor items around the shop such as the front door, shutters and a metal bench. 



Chalk Paint® works wonderfully on outdoor items such as these as well as wicker, cement or concrete and terracotta. 



Here's how to do it:

1) Begin by sanding off any uneven finish such as chipping paint (only if necessary) and then clean the piece. No need to prime! 

2) Paint one or two coats of Chalk Paint®. Let dry in a protected area before putting it out into the elements to let the paint "cure". Chalk Paint® actually will harden over time and will weather and distress naturally. 

3) Waxing outdoor furniture is not recommended because heat could keep the wax soft and keep it from curing. (Although I did wax my door the last time I painted it and it was fine.)


Old Violet
Duck Egg

Paris Grey

Some colors that work well in a garden are Old White, Paris Grey, Country Grey, Chateau Grey, Duck Egg Blue and my favorite in the garden, Old Violet. But let your imagination go wild! 

Need help painting? Join one of my Chalk Paint® Workshops or Classes. Click HERE for more information.

To see the new front door at my shop, click HERE.


*Photos courtesy of Annie Sloan and photographed by Christopher Drake.

Happy Painting!

Rachel


Chalk Paint® and supplies are available at my two shops:
4323 Irvington Rd., Irvington, VA and 
19 S. Belmont St. (in the heart of Carytown), Richmond, VA

To see more tips, tutorials and photos: Paintbrush and Pearls