This Faux Verdigris Finish Paint Technique creates luscious results, and it’s super-simple to do!
Join me in this bit of FUN, and you’ll have a wonderful finished piece to show for your efforts!
This post was sponsored by Heirloom Traditions Paint, because they are a wonderfully creative company that supports crazed furniture flippers, like me!
Our journey begins with these two little orphans:
The jewelry chest had amazing detail, but the finish was blah.
The little mirror had an early American vibe. Nice, but not appropriate for the vision that haunted me.
Somehow, the two pieces just seemed destined to combine forces, and become greater versions of themselves.
I’m just the girl to help with that!
To recreate this finish, you’ll need some stuff!
Supplies:
*This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.
- Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint: I used Feathered Nest by Refunk my Junk
- Heirloom Traditions Gilding Patina: Copper Penny
- Heirloom Traditions Aurora Staining Gel: Copper Mine
- Heirloom Traditions Jet Black Wax
- Heirloom Traditions Wax: Oxidized Patina
- Heirloom Traditions Aqua Clear Top Coat
- A variety of brushes – I used chip brushes, artists brushes and Purdy brushes.
- Rags
- Water
- 220 grit sandpaper
How To Paint a Faux Verdigris Finish:
1. Begin by assessing your subject…Pretty lines on this one. Slightly primitive, but it has feminine potential:
2. Perform any necessary repairs; a little carpentry, some patching, and we’ve established the newly configured piece.
Consider changing out some elements.
Case in point: the jewelry cabinet doors had dated fabric panels.
Switching them out for embossed chipboard supports the overall design concept.
Think about ways you can incorporate items from your stash!
3. To begin the process for the Faux Verdigris Paint Technique, add a layer of Copper Penny Gilding Patina just in areas that will be emphasized in the final finish. This will create a subtle gleam that will shine through when we begin to distress the piece.
Here, I’m dabbing it on the hardware and any carved detail, like the stepped-profile around the edges of these drawers:
I admit it: I’m in a furniture applique crazed phase.
4. To create this Trumeau effect, just piece appliques together in a pleasing configuration, then affix them with your favorite heavy duty adhesive.
5. Once they are in place, and the adhesive has cured, add a sloppy layer of Copper Mine Aurora Staining Gel to the appliques, and to any areas you wish to highlight.
6. Once the Staining Gel has dried, apply a coat of Aqua Clear. This will protect the Copper accents when we begin to distress the surface.
7. When the Aqua Clear has cured (it’s FAST) add a layer of Feathered Nest Chalk Type Paint right over the top of all the metallic detailing:
8. While the paint is still curing, use a damp rag to Wet Distress the surface where you wish the Copper to shine through:
9. When the paint has cured, lightly distress the edges and corners of the components with 220 grit sandpaper, allowing the copper to peek through:
10. Paint on a generous layer of Jet Black Wax:
11. While the wax is still wet, use a damp rag to smooth it into the surface. Love how it deepens the paint color and emphasizes the copper accents!
12. If you have raised texture, lightly sand the surface to allow the metallic touches to emerge.
I adore the impression of ancient, worn texture here:
13. Use a chip brush to add a messy coat of Heirloom Traditions Wax: Oxidized Patina on the sculptural detail:
14. While the Oxidized Patina is still moist, wipe it back with a damp rag.
You want the brilliant color to gather in the crevices.
Allow a bit of pigment to drip down the surface, to mimic the action of true verdigris.
15. Add additional Copper Mine Aurora Staining Gel to the high points, using a dry brush technique.
Here you can see the ‘drips’ added below the detail.
16. Allow the finish to dry thoroughly, and add a top coat of Aqua Clear. That’s it.
(I used the Matte version)
Ah. That’s better. Our orphans have joined together to create a grand statement!
Using the Oxidized Patina and Jet Black Spray Waxes is so easy.
The resulting ‘Abandoned Chateau’ vibe is one of my favorites!
Just to spice things up a little bit, I added panels of Embossed Metal Tape to the interior of each door. To learn this fun technique, click HERE.
Touches of decoupage add interest to the drawer sides:
Being a ‘more is more’ kinda girl, I appreciate the matte, metallic, textured and patterned surfaces:
This one’s not going ANYWHERE. She must stay with me, and keep my treasures safe!
Only Mr. Hedgerow is permitted access, from time to time…
Trumeau detail:
Close up of Acanthus detail with Faux Verdigris Finish:
For more information on Heirloom Traditions Products, please visit www.heirloomtraditionspaint.com
* Full Disclosure: Heirloom Traditions supplied their products to be used in this project, and they sponsored this post – however, I supplied the elbow grease, rescued furniture, design concept, and experimental insanity! All of which reflect my own point of view, regardless of affiliation…
It’s a pleasure to share this Faux Verdigris Finish Paint Technique with you…
My hope is that you feel confident in your ability to add a bit of verdigris wherever required.
In my case, this could mean on anything that isn’t breathing!
Thanks for visiting The Graphics Fairy today!
If you like quirky finishes and odd experiments, stop by Thicketworks to say ‘Hi’…you’ll find a bewildering assortment of fun and funky techniques to try!
Heather
You might enjoy: My Image Transfers on Leather Post HERE and Image Transfers Experiment Post HERE
Gwen says
This encourages me that I’m not out of style to want to do something out of the ordinary using paint on furniture. Your style is what I had in mind. Thank you for affirming my want in my expression of art through furniture. Not like anyone I’ve seen over and over. I feel confidence rising. Thank you.
graphicsfairy says
Thanks so much Gwen! Good luck with your creations 🙂
Heather Tracy says
Hi Gwen – It encourages me to read your inspiring words! I’m a firm believer in not allowing ourselves to be constrained by ‘trends’, and I hope that you take advantage of that rising confidence, and go for it!
Kat Rose says
It looks as though you were working on a full size dresser. Beautiful. Love it!
I would like to try this on my antique 4 drawer dresser, dressing table with drawers, with 3 fold mirror. And..
And… love that look!
So many steps, tho. Maybe I can shorten it up, a bit.?
I have to work in a small room.
Perhaps, just the blue paint/stain, rub, highlight trims?
Alas, another project, another day.
Great ideas, tho. Thank you. K
graphicsfairy says
Thanks Kat,
This beautiful project was done by Heather over at Thicketworks, and yes, another project another day, ha ha 🙂
Carol says
I LOVE this!!!!! I have been looking for tutorials on how to achieve this sort of look and could not find one. Thank you for sharing! Beautiful work! 🙂
Heather Tracy says
Yay! So happy to have been helpful, Carol. I love this technique so much…I wish you success in all your creative endeavors! Have a beautiful day 🙂
Rupa says
I forgot to say how much I love that foil embossed inner piece!! The flowers reflecting in the mirror is just so beautiful! Your photography is as fantastic as your projects. That’s a talent in itself to know how to showcase your projects!
Heather Tracy says
Rupa – I’m pleased that you enjoyed the little touches of embossed metal tape. The variety of finishes really helps me to appreciate a piece. Photography is quite challenging – I so often get it ‘wrong’. Glad this one worked out!
Rupa says
Heather! This is an amazing transformation! It’s elegant, feminine, French in some ways and all around GORGEOUS!! You have unbelievable vision and you are able to take it to fruition! The end result always leave me feeling that you picked the best possible method/technique/colors/style etc! Yes, you are a visionary! This piece is so rich and regal and I think goes so well with that large peacock blue table you painted a while ago. Keep us on our toes and we will keep coming back to be in awe of your talent and generosity.
Heather Tracy says
Hi Rupa! My vision is often a bit ‘murky’. What it comes down to is trusting the process. Creativity will suggest the oddest of methods, and I have to be humble enough to say, ‘okay, if you say so’, even when it strikes me as foolish. I’m in suspense the entire time, hoping and praying that the end result will be pleasing. Each of us has access to that well of whispered wisdom. Thank you for your kindness.
Rupa says
And very few of us have the guts to tackle a project like this. My biggest draw back is I am afraid to screw up and be disappointed when my vision doesn’t match the end result. Thanks for the amazing tutorial and inspiration.
Heather Tracy says
Dear Rupa, Perfectionism is the enemy of ART and Happiness! “Done” is far superior to “perfect, but unfinished”. Jump in with both feet, make some messes and enjoy yourself, my dear friend. There will always be another project to try…it’s just paint – it’s not the boss of you!
Sharron Rogers says
I have a small space in a Vintage Market in a small town in Ontario, Canada…your lovely piece would be a ‘star’ on my table!
Heather Tracy says
Oh, what a lovely thing to say, Sharron. Thank you. I’m keeping my eyes open for more jewelry chests, because I want to try so many different ways to beautify them…
Diana | Dreams Factory says
Heather, you are truly a gifted person!
Love your vision and your attention for details. And the way you managed to incorporate everything into such a beautiful piece of art…stunning!
Hugs,
Diana
Heather Tracy says
Hello, Diana. So lovely of you to take time to leave such a sweet comment. Thank you! I love what I do, and am so lucky to get to share it with others. Hope all is well in your world, my friend.
Paula says
Oh my goodness, you’ve done it again. Another amazing tutorial!!! I’m learning so much…please keep them coming.
Heather Tracy says
Aww…thanks Paula! You’re always so encouraging…It makes me extremely happy to know that you’re learning from my posts. Thank you so much for saying so! And don’t worry – I’m the obsessive creative type…I couldn’t stop even if I wanted to. 🙂
Lroi says
Love this! Beautiful detail work, my friend! Bravo!!!!
Heather Tracy says
Hi Lori! Thank you so much for stopping by. This project was a true labor of love, and I’m so happy to get to share how EASY it was…