When I first learned that it was possible to paint convincing replications of woods and marbles and I saw photographs of these finishes, I really didn’t understand what I was looking at. It was really only when I started learning how to do it myself and I saw the base coat stage of the process that I understood how it was done. This picture shows a window in progress, where you can see the base coat over which the woodgrain paint technique is applied.
Window in progress, base coat showing
This is the same window 20 years later.
The selection of the correct base coat color is key and is the best explanation to how the woodgraining process works. In order to paint the faux mahogany table below, it first had to be painted a bright orange. Then I introduced the grain using a water-based medium and various brushes. Once the character of the wood was there, I applied an oil based glaze and artist oils to give the rich tone of the exotic wood. Finally, numerous coats of an oil-based polyurethane were applied to give a durable, uniform sheen. These photographs were taken 15 years after the table was painted, and I’m proud to say that it is as beautiful today as it was the day I finished it.
Faux painted mahogany table
Hand painted woodgrain
Faux painted inlay detail
As you can see, the table above has a detail on the leg: a faux inlay design. Being able to add such decorative detail means that I can enhance or tweak old pieces of furniture, such as this table that was made out of mahogany on which I added a more interesting book-matched design to the tabletop.
Solid mahogany table with faux painted mahogany top
This table was brand new when I started working on it, and it arrived painted white; I painted the faux inlay sunflower to the top of it and painted the rest in a cerused oak finish.
Faux painted inlay table top
I love the practicality of the process as much as the decorative potential; why throw out a perfectly good door just because it doesn’t match your new paneling? Here is a room trimmed out with a beautiful solid oak.
Solid mahogany table with faux painted mahogany top
Here is a detail shot of the same window showing exactly what is real oak woodgrain and what is faux painted. I can imitate any type of wood or marble and can match the tone and character to the point where it’s almost impossible to detect where the real stuff ends and the fake begins.
This illustrates how my paint finishes can be as practical as they are decorative. Sometimes you just can’t use or obtain the real thing and you have no choice but to fake it. Windows and doors carrying warranties come with limited wood choices.
Before – base coated window surrounded by solid, stained oak
The window was made out of a wood that lacked the character of the oak that surrounded it. but I was able to paint it and replicate the look of the oak.
After – window grained to match surrounding wood
Below is another practical woodgraining project where I matched an old staircase to new oak posts and handrails. Here is the original staircase.
In addition to replacing the metal handrails, the customer wanted to remove the carpet and replace it with a runner leaving the sides of the stairs and risers exposed. There was a lot of glue and many nail holes to be addressed but all repairs were covered by the base coat and I was able to replicate the oak woodgrain so that the new posts and handrails tied in perfectly with the new posts and handrails.
Before – original staircase
After – new posts and handrails, existing stairs wood grained to match
Here is a practical application for an exterior project where I woodgrained the metal fascia of a pullout canopy so it blended in with the surrounding siding panels.
Before – metal canopy fascia
After – metal fascia wood grained to tie in with surround finish
Sometimes a simple broken color technique is sufficient to replicate the tone and character of a wood and some times I have to “break out the magic brushes” and get a bit more detailed. What I do very much depends on the situation, lighting and customer preference. The top of the desk below is a simple combed glaze finish over a warm tan base coat. The finish resembles the oak grain of the adjacent chair.
Before – built in desk, painted white
After – desktop painted with oak woodgrain
Rustic oak grain finish
When I first learned that it was possible to paint convincing replications of woods and marbles and I saw photographs of these finishes, I really didn’t understand what I was looking at. It was really only when I started learning how to do it myself and I saw the base coat stage of the process that I understood how it was done. This picture shows a window in progress, where you can see the base coat over which the woodgrain paint technique is applied.
Window in progress, base coat showing
This is the same window 20 years later.
The selection of the correct base coat color is key and is the best explanation to how the woodgraining process works. In order to paint the faux mahogany table below, it first had to be painted a bright orange. Then I introduced the grain using a water-based medium and various brushes. Once the character of the wood was there, I applied an oil based glaze and artist oils to give the rich tone of the exotic wood. Finally, numerous coats of an oil-based polyurethane were applied to give a durable, uniform sheen. These photographs were taken 15 years after the table was painted, and I’m proud to say that it is as beautiful today as it was the day I finished it.
Faux painted mahogany table
Hand painted woodgrain
Faux painted inlay detail
As you can see, the table above has a detail on the leg: a faux inlay design. Being able to add such decorative detail means that I can enhance or tweak old pieces of furniture, such as this table that was made out of mahogany on which I added a more interesting book-matched design to the tabletop.
Solid mahogany table with faux painted mahogany top
Faux painted inlay table top
This table was brand new when I started working on it, and it arrived painted white; I painted the faux inlay sunflower to the top of it and painted the rest in a cerused oak finish.
I love the practicality of the process as much as the decorative potential; why throw out a perfectly good door just because it doesn’t match your new paneling? Here is a room trimmed out with a beautiful solid oak.
Solid mahogany table with faux painted mahogany top
Here is a detail shot of the same window showing exactly what is real oak woodgrain and what is faux painted. I can imitate any type of wood or marble and can match the tone and character to the point where it’s almost impossible to detect where the real stuff ends and the fake begins.
This illustrates how my paint finishes can be as practical as they are decorative. Sometimes you just can’t use or obtain the real thing and you have no choice but to fake it. Windows and doors carrying warranties come with limited wood choices.
Before – base coated window surrounded by solid, stained oak
The window was made out of a wood that lacked the character of the oak that surrounded it. but I was able to paint it and replicate the look of the oak.
After – window grained to match surrounding wood
Below is another practical woodgraining project where I matched an old staircase to new oak posts and handrails. Here is the original staircase.
In addition to replacing the metal handrails, the customer wanted to remove the carpet and replace it with a runner leaving the sides of the stairs and risers exposed. There was a lot of glue and many nail holes to be addressed but all repairs were covered by the base coat and I was able to replicate the oak woodgrain so that the new posts and handrails tied in perfectly with the new posts and handrails.
Before – original staircase
After – new posts and handrails, existing stairs wood grained to match
Here is a practical application for an exterior project where I woodgrained the metal fascia of a pullout canopy so it blended in with the surrounding siding panels.
After – metal fascia wood grained to tie in with surround finish
Before – metal canopy fascia
Sometimes a simple broken color technique is sufficient to replicate the tone and character of a wood and some times I have to “break out the magic brushes” and get a bit more detailed. What I do very much depends on the situation, lighting and customer preference. The top of the desk below is a simple combed glaze finish over a warm tan base coat. The finish resembles the oak grain of the adjacent chair.
Before – built in desk, painted white
After – desktop painted with oak woodgrain
Rustic oak grain finish