IMITATION PAINTING
Imitation paintings can be executed in various styles, with the most popular being stone and wood imitations, such as marble or oak. Generally, imitation paintings can be applied to a wide range of surfaces, from plastic to chalk ground.
This technique is commonly used as a cost-effective alternative for walls and floors, doors, panels, mouldings, furniture, church interiors, and columns. One of our specializations includes the so-called "faux finish" in the field of aircraft and yacht construction, where we use modern paint systems.
In all other areas of imitation painting, we work with historical materials and techniques.
For a successful stone imitation, several translucent layers of paint are applied. Each layer depicts a different component of the veining, resulting in a coherent overall image and the desired depth effect upon completion. Nowadays, acrylic-based paints or dispersion paints are often used, although oil glazes can also be used.
Marbling can be designed in any imaginable colour scheme, from realistic to abstract, light (in white-grey) to dark (in black with white veining). Depending on the type of marble and the surface, the technique and binder of the paints must be adjusted.
The marbling process is carried out in three steps:
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Applying and blending a glaze on the non-absorbent base coat
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Working on the still-wet glaze
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Veining the surface once the glaze has dried
Imitations of various wood types, such as oak, mahogany, or walnut, are particularly popular for doors, baseboards, panels, walls, and furniture. The selection of colours and varnishes depends on the surface and the desired wood type.
Wood imitation consists of three steps:
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Base coating in a suitable, lighter tone.
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Application of glaze layers using various tools for colour application/removal (e.g., combs, brushes).
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Final layer of varnish/wax to adjust the gloss level and protect against environmental influences.
