Techniques for Marbling Paint

Marble painting is a paint technique that makes a surface look like marble. If done well, it can be very difficult to tell faux marble paint from the real thing. This technique can lend a rich look to table and counter surfaces, fire places, pillars, pedestals and even floors. It can also be used on blocks of wood to create things like faux marble pillar candle holders or frames that weigh far lighter than real marble. The techniques are a bit time consuming, but are simple and well worth mastering.

Materials and Colors

Faux marble techniques can be applied on just about any surface that can be painted. Wood or plaster pieces are ideal; however, even plastic or veneer can be "marbleized" if they are well sanded and primed so that paint will adhere well to them.

Chosen paint finishes should be shiny, such as satin, semi-gloss or gloss.The base colors that work best to resemble marble are green, black or gray, though any color marble is possible with a little imagination. Three varying shades should be chosen that can be blended together to achieve a mottled look. For example, if a green marble surface is desired, a deep green, a slightly lighter shade of grayish green and black can be used. If white marble were desired, one might choose antique white, a very light tan and a light gray. For black marble, one might choose black, a very dark charcoal gray and a medium gray.
A fourth color is used for the veining in the marble. Usually this is white, although a very light green or light gray can be used if it offers better contrast.

Base Application Techniques

Sponging is the main technique used for achieving that mottled, muted marble base color. There are two ways to approach this technique.

The first approach is to paint the dominant base color directly onto the surface with a roller or brush. Each of the remaining colors is mixed with 1 part glaze to 4 parts paint. Each of these colors is poured into a separate plate or tray. A damp sea sponge that has been wrung out well is then dabbed into each of them, and then blotted gently on a rag. The sponge is then patted onto the surface in random patterns, leaving some areas in which the base shows through.

The other approach is to begin with a primed or unpainted surface. Each of the three colors is poured into separate pans or plates. The damp sponge is then dabbed in each of them, blotted on a rag and applied directly to the surface in random patterns until the surface is well covered.

Veining and Finishing

After the surface dries, the final step is to create the veining that is characteristic of marble. Some people choose to do this with a fine paint brush, but another great option is to use a feather. The brush or feather is dipped into the veining color and dragged across the surface to create fine lines. The lines should not be straight. This is how the feather helps, as holding one end of the feather causes it to shake and make the lines more random and natural looking.

Once the veining is completely dry, the piece should be painted with a few coats of a clear acrylic sealer. Not only will this help protect the surface, but it will give it the shine similar to natural marble.

References

• How to Paint a Faux Marble Surface
• Decor & Home Living
• How to Faux Paint by Sponging