Introduction
Marbling effect is a faux finish decorative paint effect applied with oil based paint and glaze. It has been used throughout history to give an illusion of marbled stone. Use of this painting technique was (and is) driven by cost and practicality: Marbled stone is expensive and also heavy & difficult to transport. In many cases it is more practical to create an illusion of marbled stone than to use the stone itself. Marbling technique also became popular with builders and architects who used it as a substitute for real marble when load bearing walls and beams were required; had these been made from marble stone they would have had inadequate load bearing characteristics.
In nature, marble is formed by heat and pressure being applied to limestone. which causes crystallisation into many colours. Minerals and impurities running through the molten rock create the vein like structures that give marble its beauty. As a result of the formation process marble has a cloud like translucent appearance, which plays many tricks with light.
There are many examples of use of marbling technique throughout history; it was used by the Egyptians, and there are thought to be even older examples of use of the technique during the Mycenaean period.
Marbling became very popular in Europe during renaissance times. Real stone was readily available but fashion, cost and practicality dictated the use of the marbled faux finish. It was during this period that variations in marbling technique appeared; French craftsmen adhered to the process of reproducing natural stone, but in Italy artisans began to produce marbled effects which were not true to nature but more highly decorative. This finish, the so called fantasy marble, was taken up in other countries, notably Scandinavia, and still continues today.
Today, marbling paint effects are still very popular, and decorative artists much in demand. Although creation of faux finish marble effect requires skill, it is possible for those interested in this beautiful effect to create it themselves, given time and patience.
Creating a marbling effect in your home.
The first thing to consider is where to apply the marble finish. Marble finishes look good in places where natural stone would be normally used: columns, pillars & fireplaces. Historically marble paint effects have also been used in panels on walls and as a border to murals, pictures & mirrors. It is also possible to marble plaster ornaments and panels on doors.
Marbling entire walls in a home setting can be overwhelming, unless the space is very large. Attempts at use of marbling effect applied to blend objects such as heating radiators into the background usually fail. The marbling effect should be used sparingly and with taste to reap the full effect of this beautiful faux finish in your home.
Marbling effect is a faux finish applied with oil based paint and glaze. Here's a marbling technique for white Carrara marble. Its best to practice on a small board first, before tackling the surface you wish to marble.
What you will need
White oil based paint for base coat
Oil based scumble glaze
2" paintbrush for base coat
Softening brush
Fine artists paintbrushes in various sizes for painting veins.
Artists oil colours (black, paynes grey, yellow ochre, white )
White spirit
Mutton cloth
Oil based clear varnish
Surface preparation
Surfaces must be made as smooth as possible to mimic the polished natural stone. Surfaces must be dry.
Base coats
Apply a white base coat (do it twice if necessary) and allow to dry.
Mixing glazes and paints
For this finish three paint & glaze mixes will be required. One for the broken colour area, and two for painting marble veins. Two mixes are required for veining to allow veins of different colours to be painted.
1) Mix a small quantity of oil based glaze with 50% white artists oil paint.
2) Mix a small quantity of black & paynes grey artists colours 50-50 and add a small amount of glaze.
3) Mix a small quantity of yellow ochre, paynes grey & white spirit in equal quantities. This mix should be very thin.
Application
Its best to have a picture of a marbled surface to hand to copy for your first attempts.
The first step is to simulate the translucent shading found in white marble.
Wipe glaze mix 1 onto base coat with mutton cloth. Cover the entire area.
Apply paint mix 2 on top of glaze mix 1 using crumpled paper or a rag in the areas you wish to apply the marble shading. Soften (i.e. blend together) these areas using the softening brush to blend into glaze mix 1. The blending should be done with care not to leave any hard edges.
The next step is to add the veining.
Paint in the veins using a fine artists brush, joining up the broken colour areas using paint mix 2, applying broken lines which are very thin. Soften with dry brush. Copy an existing sample of marble to get your veining ideas.
Using glaze mix 3 paint in veins onto the background blending into the area of broken colour. Soften with a dry brush.
Allow to dry
Protective coats
When the marbling effect is completely dry, varnish with an oil based varnish, use several coats. This process will give the natural sheen found in real marble.
I hope you have found this short introduction to marbling effect useful & informative. For those interested in learning more about this beautiful finish I teach one day marbling courses in central London in the UK.
Joanne Poulton is a professional specialist decorator who also teaches marbling courses and paint effects courses in London, UK.
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