Terracotta
The terracotta finish is very easy to create
and can even be painted onto walls if done carefully. The terracotta look
works particularly well on small objects, such as the plastic urn which has
been treated here.
When working with this technique, it is best
to use either water based emulsions or acrylic paint colors. You will also
need some sand, which you can pick up at your local home handyman store, and
a rough, natural sea sponge.
Detailed or moulded items also look
particularly attractive when finished with a terracotta effect, especially
if they are going to be used in a conservatory or garden room. Protect the
finish with a coat of oil-based varnish.
Terracotta: Off White Base Coat -
Earthy Dark Brown Latex - Earthy Light Brown Latex
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After base coating your object, in our case a
Wal-Mart plastic planter, coat with the
lighter color.
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While the paint is still tacky, lightly toss
fine sand in random locations at the surface. Let it dry for 4 hours.
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Sponge patches of the darker color over the
sand, leaving some of the paler color showing through. |
Using an orange latex, randomly sponge on.
Then, leave it to dry for another 4 hours. |
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Use the off white latex in a separate
container, cut with roughly 60% water to thin it out. Apply the mixture
randomly over the planter. |
Gently pat off excess paint with a clean dry
rag, leaving enough paint to create a dusty look. |
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To summarize:
The
terracotta finish is definitely one of the easier faux finishes that one can
complete. Using only a few colors and basic materials, one can create a
beautiful rustic, earthy finish.
This finish is
suitable for a variety of surfaces, from walls to planters. Enjoy!
Related Articles:
Surface Preparation
Paints and
glazes
Materials and tools
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