How to Faux Marble a Plaster Column

Turning pedestrian plaster into believable marble takes time: Oil paints are slow to dry, and replicating even a semblance of marble's depth requires several layers. The effect can be fabulous, however, and the process is fun. This is definitely worth a try.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fan-shaped Paintbrushes
• Flat Paintbrushes
• Polyurethane Finishes
• Oil-based Paints
• Plaster Column
• Cotton Swabs
• Mineral Spirits
• Cotton Swabs
• Mineral Spirits
• Lining Paintbrush
• Paper Towels
• Paper Towels
• Paper towels

1. Choose a color scheme (try gray and white with dark gray and black lines; pink with peach and terra-cotta; or eggshell with yellow-gray and green).

2. Coat the column with white or eggshell alkyd (oil-based) paint and allow to dry.

3. Re-coat two or three times with glazes of varying density, blotting irregularly and allowing to dry between each coat. (A glaze is simply paint thinned with mineral spirits; for an eggshell marble look you might want a pale yellow, a grayer eggshell, and a white glaze.)

4. Glaze again when you're ready to marble in earnest; this time blot so that the surface is damp but not runny.

5. Choose a color and a starting point and paint a very thin, continuous, yet wavering line (say, from one bottom corner diagonally up and around the column, over the top, and down the other side). Continue in the same color until you've got an irregular, gridlike network.

6. Use a toothpick wrapped in cotton or a cotton swab to wipe off excess, and a fan-shaped brush to push the paint around on the glazed surface.

7. Repeat the process with a second color.

8. Play around with the layers: Reglaze some parts; feather a denser glaze into the column's crevices; highlight some lines with a pale or white shadow.

9. Allow to dry fully and coat with satin (matte) polyurethane varnish.

Tips & Warnings

• Spend some time looking at real marble before you begin, and visualize your piece: Real marble has lines of varying density and thickness but all except the smallest connect in a network or vague grid pattern. If you can, work with a piece of marble next to you to remind you of what you're aiming for.
• This is close work and alkyd paint fumes are unpleasant and dehydrating. Work in good light in a well-ventilated area; give your eyes a break when they need it; and drink plenty of water.

on 6/30/2006 Use latex paint (water based) in place of oil paint and water based polyurethane instead of mineral spirits and there will be less harmful fumes.
I recommend a semi to high gloss paint and polyurethane for more of a polished marble look.

on 11/22/2005 I used a couple of feathers to get the vein effect when I added the marble-like paint. It worked great. I painted my sandstone hearth black first, and then added the white effect.