THE ESSENTIAL COURSE IN DECORATIVE PAINTING
     

      

 
     

Intensive Decorative Painting & Glazing Arts Course - An intensive course that provides students with an understanding of a number of processes and materials utilized in 'High End' Decorative Painting and Faux Finishing. The course shows students how to complete a standard-sized room using both oil (alkyd) and water based / & other Latex glazes.  In the Basic Intensive Course [Decorative Painting I] You will receive instruction in the following essential Painted Finishes:

FINISHES TAUGHT as shown in order in photographs [above]

  • Scumbled Glazing - A Cheesecloth distressed Decorative Paint Finish also useful on Trim & Furniture.               Scumble Glazes are also a basis for Faux Leather.

  • Strié  - A type of Faux Fabric that renders a highly elegant and unusual surface - also useful to distress Furniture.

  • Frottage - A highly realistic Limestone Paint Effect - may be used to simulate distempered walls and or divided into authentic looking museum stone blocks.  A timeless finish classic.

  • Damask Stripes  - The essential, perennial classic painted finish.  The Academy teaches the perfection of this art.

Each of the above techniques are high end portfolio essentials.

We encourage you to look at finish samples on the Painted Effects  Pages of this web site. 

PLEASE NOTE FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES SOME OF OUR FINISHES ARE ACCOMPLISHED IN LATEX GLAZES, WHILE OTHERS USE SOLVENT BASED MATERIALS, ALTHOUGH ANY OF THE FINISHES MAY BE TRANSLATED TO EITHER TYPE OF PAINT BASE.   

See also the Color Pages or Color Course
     

Shown below:  One of the most elegant of all of the painted finishes - Strie'

To View actual Sample Boards visit The Sample Page,

To view more actual Rooms Visit the Painted Effects Page.
       

Above^ Marigold Colored 'Strie'  Interior Design by Great Falls Distinctive Interiors

 
       Above^  Green/Gold 'Strie'  Interior Design by Victoria Bingham   Window Treatments by Justine Sancho Interiors
Above^  Tan/Cyan Scumbled Glaze
Above ^  Damask Stripes
Above - Frottage in Grand Foyer and Corridors of Residence
Stripes - Spectacular
                 DAY ONE (10am - 4pm):

The course begins with a  presentation of photographs and actual sample boards illustrating the finishes to be learned  Students then take a glimpse at the rich history of painted glazes before launching into a discussion of Color - Its theory and its practical application in decorative painting. One immutable precept of this studio is that: Color is 99% of the difference between the mundane and the marvelous, the provincial and the 'high-end' result of decorative wall work!  Your paint work will be set apart by your application of the vital principals of color use, such as coordinating hues, balancing values and making expert use of 'warm/cool' principals of color. [For the most exhaustive color training, do refer to the Color Intensive Course.]

Following a lunch break the practical application begins. Finishes that are taught this first day are Damask Stripes and Strie'.  Damask Striping instruction stresses the techniques required to do exacting bands of - in some cases - adjusted color bands, having the same width throughout the room.  Strie is demonstrated and practiced both on wall and woodwork surfaces.  During the afternoon session, students have the opportunity to finish multiple practice boards-in several colors schemes.

Why does The Academy stress the instruction of the geometric style finishes such as Strie' and Damask Stripes?  Because the elegance and simplicity of the 'Geometric' finish is appropriate in so many design schemes where a rambling - busy faux finish would wind up competing with busy fabrics and carpets, diminishing their appeal. 

No Portfolio should be without the essential elegance of Strie' and Damask Striping.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Some finishes on Saturday and Sunday are taught using solvent based [OIL] Glazes.  Their alternative choices in water based glazes are also available to work with.  Please let the Academy know in advance if you are unable to work with solvents.

GRADLINES:  Testimony about STRIE'

''I received a call from a potential client with a request for some decorative painting.  My partner and I took all of our boards we made in the Decorative Painting class to show our client.  He absolutely loved the Strie'.  Having never done the Strie finish before, I tried to talk him into the Damask Painted Stripes assuring him they would be a very elegant finish for the Dining Room in his new home.  He still wanted the Strie'.  Due to the excellent teaching from Victoria, not to mention the support and advice I received from her before starting this job, my partner and I were able to complete the job successfully.  He called us immediately after seeing the completed work.  He was delighted!  He loved the Strie', but I loved his comment -  "Now I have something no one else in my neighborhood has"! Editor's Note:  Within only days after completing this job our grad received a call from the client's neighbor.  This new client fell in love with the 'Scumble Glaze' boards from her Academy class!  2 weeks out of the class she used her new skills on two jobs, and unfortunately, her first client is no longer completely exclusive in his neighborhood! :}

DAY TWO (10pm - 4pm): This session begins with instruction and demonstration of additional glaze techniques, including Stippling and Scumble Glazing. Glazing woodwork and Wainscotting is included in the demonstrations of Scumble Glazing.  Instruction is followed by full day of practice .  Instruction on Sunday also includes:

  • Job site preparation - This section is a MUST.   Good surface and site preparation is essential.
  • Suggestions of best materials to use and where to obtain them.  As any good chef knows, good materials are critical to good results.  Note however, that the Academy of Wall Artistry does NOT teach the use of EXCLUSIVE or PROPRIETARY Paints and Glazes. 
  • Trouble shooting: hints on how to overcome common difficulties.   Graduates are also welcome to 'phone for help & tips'  when they are in the fray of faux!   Our Grads are grateful for this!  We get calls from all around the USA.

  • Finally, a thorough question and answer period wraps up the intensive weekend session. Students wishing to pursue professional endeavors in Decorative Painting and Glazing may research their questions at this time with Victoria.

See Schedule Page for class dates

ACADEMY OF WALL ARTISTRY  1-888.637.3726 or email us: awaOK@bfresco.com.

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