Create hand painted furniture at home by utilizing the right paints as well as saving old paintbrushes you might otherwise throw out. Faux finishing is a type of hand painting used to give old furniture pieces new life or to create an "antique" look on wood furniture. Faux finishes are used on walls as well as furniture, and is a fairly easy process to complete as you do not have to be a professional painter to get the job done. Instead, the paint is applied in a "messy" fashion to achieve the hand painted look.
Instructions
1. Sand the piece of furniture you are looking to paint if desired to smooth over any rough edges or uneven areas. Use a clean, dry rag or paper towels to wipe up any wood shavings and dust.
2. Apply a coat of primer to the furniture piece in even strokes with a primer brush. Refrain from using wall primer, which will not work well on furniture; rather look for primers with labels that read "Bonding" or those that can be used on "glossy surfaces." Allow the primer to dry for at least a half-hour before you start your painting work.
3. Use an old brush with uneven bristles to apply white or other light-color paint to the furniture. Dip the brush in the paint, blot it in a container or on a paper towel, then apply the paint to the furniture in short "dabbing" motions. Do not attempt to apply the paint evenly but continue to dab the paint on the piece. The paint can be thicker in some areas and thinner on others, but remember to blend the paint somewhat to avoid thick globs of paint all over the piece. Allow the paint to dry for about an hour.
4. Paint another light shade that will go well with the white or other light base color, such as assorted shades of cream and beige. Make a mixture of half your chosen paint color with half of a glaze to create a translucent look and use the same brush as before to apply the mixture in the same dabbing and blending motions. Allow the paint to dry for an hour or more before use.
