Faux-Bois Paint Technique

How to produce a woodlike appearance with paint called faux bois.

Faux-Bois Dresser

An embossed-paint rocker and a combing tool, dragged through a green glaze, leave a faux-bois (wood-grain) imprint.

Base Coat: Benjamin Moore OC-17 White Dove
Glaze Tint: Benjamin Moore 536 Sienna Laurel

Tool
An imprinted rocker makes fast work of applying a faux wood grain on any surface.

Paint the Background
Using a 9-inch paint roller with a 1/4-inch nap, paint the surface in desired color using latex paint. Let dry thoroughly.

Make the glaze: Mix 1 part latex paint (pearl finish or satin finish) with 1 part latex or acrylic glazing liquid and 2 parts water. (If using oil paint, mix 1 part oil paint with 1 part oil glazing liquid and 1 part mineral spirits.)

Proceed with any of the patterns, applying the tinted glaze over the dried base coat.

Tip: Smooth irregularities as you work (they can catch the glaze and obscure its effect).

Paint the Faux Bois
Working in sections, apply a thin coat of tinted glaze to dried base coat.

Make knots: Drag a wood-graining rocker through the tinted glaze, working from the top edge of the surface to the bottom, and gradually rocking the tool, tip to end, just once. Turn the rocker in opposite direction (to change direction of grain), and repeat process to create a second panel next to the first.

Make straight grain: Drag a combing tool through the glaze, working from the top edge of the surface to the bottom.

Repeat process, alternating knots and straight grains. (For the best pattern, alternate 2 or 3 rows of knots with 2 rows of straight grain.)

Tip: To achieve a seamless pattern on a dresser, as shown on page 113, remove the drawers and arrange them front side up. Hold them together with clamps. Apply the pattern from the top, working down.

Other Colors to Try
1. Base Coat: Benjamin Moore 1661 Heaven on Earth
Glaze Tint: Benjamin Moore 2142-20 Turtle Green

2. Base Coat: Benjamin Moore 997 Baja Dunes
Glaze Tint: Benjamin Moore Opalescent White

3. Base Coat: Benjamin Moore OC-17 White Dove
Glaze Tint: Benjamin Moore 536 Sienna Laurel

4. Base Coat: Benjamin Moore 803 Lazy Sunday
Glaze Tint: Benjamin Moore 811 Old Glory

Faux-Bois Paint Technique

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