Faux painting is deceptively simple once you’ve got the hang of it. There are some basic errors that beginners often make that are worth noting if you want to achieve the results you’re dreaming of.

1. Good materials produce good results. Buy the right paints and brushes and make sure your painting surface is well prepared. Painting onto flat paint is almost a guarantee of failure.

Low gloss paints will give you a brighter finish than flat paint, which has a dulling effect on subsequent layers. The best base coat is satin or eggshell paint that dries slowly, giving you time to attend to any problems.

2. Forget fancy equipment. You don’t need it and you can find economical substitutes for specialist equipment. Buy quality paint and paintbrushes instead of splurging on gimmicks. As a paint palette try using ice cube trays. They have the added advantage of storing more paint. Almost any soft sponge will serve as an applicator and you don’t need to buy one from an art supply shop.

Don’t waste that paint! You can always stick it in the freezer rather than letting it harden. Another money-saving tip is to use dishwashing liquid for cleaning brushes. You can buy fancy cleaners but a grease-cutting dishwashing liquid works just fine with water-based paints and with stencil creams, which are partially oil-based.

3. Your results depend on the surface you start with. You must fill cracks and cavities before you start, but it doesn’t end there. You then need to sand it and seal it with a water-based sealant. To ensure sure that the patch job blends in with the surroundings you need to make sure it is the same colour. Use the original paint if you have it or, alternatively, you can tint the sealant using some acrylic paint of the appropriate color. Don’t cut corners on surface preparation – flaws will show through.

4. You know the saying: oil and water don’t mix. Remember that when painting or suffer the consequences. The resulting curdled slush is not pretty. In short, know your paints and read your labels. Latex paint may sound like it’s oil-based but it’s part-water.

5. Clean conditions help create a neat finish. This applies especially to your brushes, which need to be thoroughly cleaned. If you don’t clean them properly you may end up with streaky paint and strange colors. You don’t need specialist cleaners but just running brushes under the tap is not enough. Cleaning pads for children’s art brushes are available for much less than the professional version.

Paint is designed to spread and spread it will – on shoes and in many other ways too. If you’re working for a client, this is a sure way to ruin your reputation. Accidents do happen, but there are ways of dealing with them. Using water or chemical cleaners on carpets is not advisable, since at best it can spread the paint further. You can try trimming the stain with nail scissors when it has dried. If the worst comes to the worst, a product called Goof Off is a useful remedy.

7. Timing is all-important, especially when using glazes. The faster you can work the better, especially if the weather is hot. Defined areas of wall (or other surface) need to be painted in one go so that you don’t end up with wet and dry edges that affect the way the paint spreads. Eliminate tea and toilet breaks until the job is done to avoid problems.

7. You may not recognize your painting style, but everyone has their own unique technique. That’s why collaborative efforts don’t work. People can work together as long as they work on different layers or walls, not different sections of the same layer/wall. Your style can even change during a day: pre- and post-lunch. Plan your sessions and breaks to maximize uniformity in technique.

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.

We’ve been using paint to transform our worlds for over thirty thousand years. Faux painting uses the magic of paint to create fabulous illusions. Whether you want a stylish new look for walls, floors, doors, columns or cabinets, there’s a faux painting technique for the task.

Faux painting is a versatile art that can revitalize indoor and outdoor spaces. Whether you want a cosy, distressed look in an older house, the elegance of marble or the richness of old wood, faux painting can help you achieve it. As well as grainy wood and antique finishes, other effects such as patterned brickwork or an expensive leather look can be achieved using faux painting techniques.

Brick and Block Finishes

Raw brick is a popular look for use both indoors and out. You can add texture to a flat wall or turn dull concrete into attractive brickwork. With stencils and the right paint, it is a relatively simple task to add pattern and color to boring floors or paths. The illusion of brickwork visible behind peeling plaster is an amusing and visually effective way to create the impression of age and that antique ‘lived-in’ look.

Wood Finishes

Furniture and household features such as doors, window frames and fireplaces can be given new looks with simulated wood finishes. This is an economical way to transform a plain door or item of furniture and the solution if you need to match new woodwork to existing fittings. Whether you are looking for the glossy look of old dark mahogany, the warmth of country pine or the clean, blond appearance of driftwood, faux painting can do the job. In most cases, the technique to master is known as ‘dragging’. Picture and mirror frames and other decorative items can be given the same treatment to create a co-ordinated effect in a room.

Faux Marble

Marble is synonymous with luxury and elegance. The real thing is expensive but the same effect has been simulated for centuries using paint. Marbled finishes are especially popular and effective in bathrooms and kitchens, making functional spaces opulent and eye-catching. The illusion is achieved by applying paint with a sponge, simulating veining with a fine brush and finishing with a high gloss sealer. A polished granite finish is one of many other faux stone effects that can be created with paint and a bit of practice.

More Designer Finishes

With the right materials and knowledge, a range of exotic and stylish finishes can be achieved using paint, including metallic finishes. Faux chrome details can complement contemporary homes, whereas faux bronze can add the finishing touch to a traditional room furnished with antiques.

A cosy, lived-in look that creates the illusion of age is achieved using clever color choices and techniques to add texture to surfaces. Tuscan finishes use earthy, ochre-like colors to give a warm, Mediterranean feel to a room. It is especially well-suited to informal living areas and kitchens with terracotta tile flooring, but can be adapted for any room. Rustic stenciled motifs applied as borders extend the Italian theme.

Faux painting allows you to coordinate dcor schemes and achieves a unified overall appearance. Antique and distressed finishes can help bring the look of a room together. New furniture and fittings can be given a glowing patina that makes them look as if they have been around for centuries. Textured finishes such as color washes can help achieve this visual effect. On furniture or doors, crackle glazes dry to look like antique varnishing.

Faux painting is an inexpensive and creative solution for many interior designs and a fun way to give your home and furnishings a makeover.

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.