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Oak Graining
Since the early days of decorative painting,
painters have sought to capture in paint the exceptional beauty of oak's
heart grain and silver grain. With over 300 species, oak can be found in
almost every climate and was the most prevalent and one of the longest
living species in European forests - often enduring for many centuries.
Oak's extreme hardness, strength and unusual ability to harden in water
without suffering any adverse physical changes made it highly desirable for
ship building. Oak was and still is a favorite among cabinet makers, as fine
details can be so effectively carved into it. In fact, virtually all 18th
century wall paneling, even when it was destined to be painted, was made
from oak.
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Today, oak is still used for furniture and cabinetry and, although it has lost it's elevated status because of it's high prices and rustic look, is still the most frequently used wood for flooring.
Faux oak graining can be painted in any one of three colors, mimicking young wood - light yellow brown, mature wood - medium yellow brown and old wood - brown. Typically, the older the wood, the wider the boards and the more impressive the grain patterns.
The faux oak graining that we will deal with is a younger oak, i.e. more yellow than brown.
Oak Graining:
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After priming with 1-2 coats of primer, use a 2-3 inch brush and randomly
apply your brown glaze.
Using a clean 2 inch brush, drag the bristles through the glaze in a series
of slightly overlapping vertical strokes to establish the grain
direction. Make sure that in between strokes you are wiping the brush
bristles clean.
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Further establish your grains and texture by lightly griping your 2 inch
good quality artist's brush and use a wrist flipping action to lightly tap
the glaze with the tips of the bristles. Again make sure to wipe the
bristles clean after each stroke. When complete, allow to dry for 24 hours.
Having applied a thin coat of clear glaze and allowed it to become tacky
(about 15 minutes), begin to paint out your grain heart using your tinted
glaze. It can be helpful when learning to have a real piece of oak to
examine and use as an example.
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To soften and make the heart look more authentic, lightly flick the bristles of your brush over the wet glaze working from the outside of the heart towards the center.
Allow the completed surface to dry for 24 hours.
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Apply your last darker glaze again by lightly griping your 2 inch brush and using a wrist flipping action, lightly tapping the glaze with the tips of the bristles.
Apply a coat of matte or satin urethane or varnish for protection and you're done!
To summarize:
Oak graining is an excellent finish for cabinetry, MDF wall paneling and furniture.
Getting the knack for creating the graining can take some practice, but it is well worth the effort. To do this, we would recommend that you buy several different pieces of real oak to examine and use as an example for your faux oak painting.
This effect can create authentic looking oak woodwork for a fraction of the cost of real oak, and it will be more durable than a cheap veneer.
Practice on a suitable area, mixing colors, until you have the method mastered and the colors you desire.
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