Start the New Year with "Timeless Creations"

Taking the time to invest in yourself

Rust finish by The Faux Finish School

We just came off the season of gift giving and, if you're like me, when it's all over there is one person who might have missed-Yourself!  Making time for creative growth is a major investment I've enthusiastically valued as both an instructor and a student.

Now I understand the challenges of taking classes. There is travel and time away from work. Plus the cost of a class. Sure there are on-line classes or videos. Those are all viable options for expanding education and a welcome addition to our profession.  But I am here to share with you the first class of 2018 hosted by a Faux Effects Studio and why it's an example of how nothing will ever replace the experience of a hands-on class.

This the Class:

"Timeless Creations...Interpretation by Inspiration...

The Art and Business of Faux Finishing Workshop

Louisville, Kentucky

January 8th-12th 2018

This workshop is designed for those looking to expand their portfolio of decorative finishes with 30 samples over 5 days. The perfect class for the beginning finisher to the seasoned professional. 

"Timeless Creations" Samples by The Faux Finish School

Reason One:  A hands-on class gives you time to explore a variety of products and techniques. This class is divided into 3 current categories:  Classic Old World, Black, White & Grey, and Hollywood Glamour.

The Faux Finish School

The Faux Finish School

You are able to see how Faux Effects' products work together from simple layers to developing more complex finishes. Asking your own questions as you work and listening to the questions of others as you work leads to new insights and ideas that go beyond the samples actually made in the class. Which leads me to:

Reason Two: Meeting and interacting with leading instructors. This class is taught by Martin Alan Hirsch, Founder & Director of The Faux Finish School.

And Morey Dunbar, Lead Instructor for The Faux Finish School.

There is something special when you watch an experienced teacher lead you in a finish, guide your hand as you work and share their own personal stories about the business. This class includes time to talk about bidding, managing a job and marketing.

Now is your chance to get up close to a technique-watch exactly how to hold a brush or angle the trowel.  Notes will guide you in a class but a good instructor makes a career come alive!

Reason Three: Working in a world class studio environment.

Classroom at The Faux Finish School

Isn't it nice to show up to a place where you have space to work? This studio has lots of natural light with a cool industrial vibe. 

When you take a class like "Timeless Creations" all your supplies and tools are provided. Product is there and ready to use. There is a written notebook ready so you may concentrate on the demonstrations rather then trying to keep up with a recipe. You have areas to safely hang your samples and room to enjoy your own work and the work of others...leading to my favorite reason for attending a class

Classroom at The Faux Finish School

Reason Four: The friendships you form with instructors, studio staff and the other students are invaluable. Many finishers work by themselves. This is where you find your tribe. During class you get to see how someone else approaches a finish. It's your time to give praise and accept accolades of your own! 

The Faux Finish School Business Discussion

After class, in a relaxed environment, you get to process all the things you learned that day.  My fondest memories of any training are the sharing of meals, stories and laughs.  I always leave inspired and recharged-so will you!

Ready to find out more about the class?  You may visit the website at www.fauxfinish.com or The Faux Finish School on Facebook. Registration is available at www.fauxmarketplace.com. Want to connect in person? Call (502)583-0102.

Can't wait to see your pictures and samples from the class, 

Rebecca 

Metallo Spazolatto: A Wonderful Venetian Gem Sample Worthy of It's Name

Look at this contemporary sample using Faux Effects Venetian Gem in Moonstone Grey which hits all the current design trend sweet spots: metallic, grey and horizontal/vertical lines.  It has an industrial look that is very hot for home and commercial interiors. But it also reminds me of an interesting take on wood the more I look at it-I love finishes like this!

So who are creators of this striking sample? This fab finish is brought to you by the talented duo of:

Martin Alan Hirsch, owner and director of The Faux Finish School (A division of Decorative Finishes Studio) located in Louisville, Kentucky

and

Morey Dunbar, Lead Instructor for The Faux Finish School.


For the Metallo Spazolatto Sample (which wins for best name) you will need the following Faux Effects Products:

Charcoal Setcoat
Moonstone Grey Venetian Gem Plaster
Aquawax
Metallic Concentrate in Silver and Rich Gold
Aquacreme Glaze Medium
Ebony Stain & Seal

And the following tools:

An Application Trowel and/or German Scrapers
A Bristle Linear Trowel 
12" Magic Trowel
Cheesecloth
Chip Brush
Roller head, roller handle and paint tray.

Step One:  Roll, brush or spray your base surface with 1-2 coats of the new Charcoal Grey Setcoat.
This layer should dry overnight.

Step Two:  Use a German Scraper to butter your application trowel with Moonstone Grey Venetian Gem Plaster.

The Moonstone Grey Plaster should be applied generously to the surface for approximately 100% coverage and 1/8" thickness-you need it thick enough to shape. 

While the plaster is wet, swipe vertically with the Bristle Liner trowel.

With the same vertical movement, smooth the texture SLIGHTLY with the Magic Trowel:

This step will create the wider vertical bands.



For finishes with multiple actions, you want to do areas in manageable sections.  The randomness of the trowel work should make this easier. You may also use a retarder such as Spatter Add (1/4 cup to a gallon of plaster) to keep the plaster thick but slow down the dry time while you work.


Step 3:  When the Venetian Gem layer is dry, you will apply a mix of Silver Concentrate mixed with Aquawax (1-2 tsp per cup). Silver Concentrate is the additive for Designer Metallic but may be purchased separately in small bottles or 16oz pots.  The Aquawax will provide the binder for the Silver concentrate.  You will use Cheesecloth as a pad to apply the metallic Aquawax. 

Dip the cheesecloth into the Aquawax and rub over the entire surface, making sure the the final pass is vertical.  Let this layer dry.

Step 4:  Mix Aquawax with Rich Gold Concentrate.  Yes, there is a Rich Gold additive as well. Again, it doesn't take much of the concentrate. In this case it is 2-3 TBSP per 1 cup of Aquawax). This mix is troweled on in a vertical manner-the troweling will give you more control for placement.  The gold Aquawax covers 30%-45% of the surface.  

This is applied in sections because you will use the Bristle Linear Trowel again to swipe through vertically. Then you will knock the texture down slightly with the Magic Trowel, also in a vertical manner.    You are repeating the actions from Step One.

Step 5:  When the Gold Aquawax layer is dry, mix Aquacreme (2parts) + Ebony Stain & Seal (1part).
This mixture will be a bit "stiff" but that is good-you want it to catch in the texture. Brush the Black Glaze mix generously over the entire surface.  Remove the excess using the Magic Trowel by pulling the trowel across the wet glaze both vertically and horizontally.

Metallo Spazolatto Venetian Gem Sample by The Faux Finish School

There you go! Not only a great sample but lots of inspiration for using specialty tools! Thanks so much Martin & Morey for sharing.

Interested in the tools and products used for this sample? Please visit the online store for The Faux Finish School at www.fauxmarketplace.com.

You may also start your year by taking a class with Martin and Morey. The next class is January 8th - January 12th for their "Timeless Creations" The Art and Business of Faux Finishing Workshop "Interpretation by Inspiration."

The Faux Finish School, A Division of Decorative Finishes Studio

 414 Baxter Avenue, 3rd Floor Loft, Louisville, Kentucky 40204

www.fauxfinish.com

(502)583-0102

Don't forget-Venetian Gem is the November Product of the month and on-sale now!

As always, thanks for reading!

Rebecca