Faux Finish Stenciling

The word faux is French, literally meaning fake . Therefore, faux finish stenciling means to use paints and tools to create a design which will resemble the imitated object as closely as possible. To take one material and make it look like something else, using techniques to keep it looking realistic, is the main objective. There are many examples of faux finish stenciling, including: making new furniture seem antique by weathering it, using marbleizing techniques to change the appearance of wood, or sponge painting to create the illusion of a texture on a bare wall. Faux finish stenciling can be used when the material needed is not readily available, too expensive, or not feasible to use in your project.

Stencils can be used in more than one way with faux finishing. Sometimes, the artist will use faux finish stenciling to create architectural or decorative finishes. The stencils will help the artist to simulate a design or object. For example, a single stencil can be used as a pattern time and again to create faux wallpaper. Ceilings are also a great place to use stencils to create a unique design or pattern that looks hand-drawn and painted.

Faux finish stenciling can prove very useful when trying to create a realistic mural on a wall. It is best to start with a single-colored background painted in a color to add a more realistic dimension to your mural. For example, if you were painting a nature scene, a sky-blue background would look true-to-life with some clouds. That way, once trees, grass and flowers are stenciled on, they will have a realistic place to exist. For wall murals, the stencils are used as a guide for the design creating a jumping-off point for the artist. The stencil will provide the artist with a single-colored image. From there, the artist can go back and paint in other colors and expand the detail once the stenciled image dries.

If you are faux finish stenciling over latex (water-based) paint, it is best to use acrylic paints, which are also water-based. If stenciling over oil-based paint, you must use oil-based products to stencil, as acrylics will not bond with the oil surface and will rub off. Your brushes and stencils need to be cleaned off after every project. It is easiest to clean the materials when the paint is still wet with warm, soapy water. Use care when cleaning the stencils so no edges bend or tear off.

There are so many options with faux finish stenciling; sometimes your project will look more real than "faux". Faux finish stenciling can be a great way to add a realistic touch to a wall or a piece of furniture without breaking the bank. With a little creativity and time, your faux finish stenciling project will be the talk of the town.