Learn the layering paint technique to bring your furniture finishes to the next level. This is the quick and easy guide to layering paint on furniture!
The Easy No-Fail Way To Layering Paint on Furniture
If you are a furniture artist or hobbyist you know that the layering paint technique is a huge hit right now. Of course it is, its beautiful and adds so much character and depth to a piece. Wet distressing is a perfect way to show the different layers of color. Wet distressing is also a safe way to distress a piece without the dust and chemicals sanding can often release into the air. Dry brushing is also another technique that can add a lot of character to your piece.
The first step to working on any piece of furniture is the prep work! Prep work will make your finishes last even longer. If you are unsure of how to prep or want to see how I personally prep my pieces this post will guide you through How To Prep Furniture for Painting.
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Supply List
Blueberry Chalk Mineral Paint
Yankee Blue Chalk Mineral Paint
Haint Blue Chalk Mineral Paint
In The Navy Chalk Mineral Paint
Watco Spray Lacquer (or whatever sealer you choose to seal the first layer of paint)
Rag or Old Shirt
Mist Sprayer or Spray Bottle
Dixie Belle Gator Hide (to seal the finally product)
Below are some examples of layering, wet distressing, and dry brushing. 👇🏻👇🏻
Let’s Get Started!!!
The piece I will be layering paint and wet distressing is this cute little dresser, it also has a mirror. I have decided to refinish the top to a different wood color as well but the rest of the piece, including the mirror, will be painted.
Are you guys ready to get painting and creating??
Paint your base coat, you can choose to do one solid color or many different colors here whatever you choose.
After you have painted your base coat, you will want to seal the piece with your choice of sealer. I used Watco lacquer in high gloss.
Creating Layers
The next step to this layering process is to paint your next coat of paint that you want to wet distress (I used Dixie Belle In The Navy). Soon after the second layer of paint has dried you will use your rag to “wet distress”. Once you have wet the surface and rag go over wherever you would like the bottom layers of paint to show by gently rubbing until you start seeing the bottom layer of paint. IF you want some wood showing just push a little harder.
After you are happy with the amount of wet distressing, you move onto dry brushing, if you choose. Dry brushing will require the following materials.
Dry Brushing
After you have wet distressed, you will “dry brush”. When I dry brush I use a cheap chip brush. Normally I will pick a lighter shade of paint, in this case Haint Blue.
The key to dry brushing is to have a light hand as to not mash the paint onto the surface. For this particular piece though I did more of a dry brush/shading/blending technique so I put a little more paint on the brush that you would with true dry brushing. After brushing the paint on, I then sprayed it and wiped it until I liked the look of it.
Finishing It Up
After you manipulate your paint and dry brushing and wet distressing and you are happy, WALK AWAY!! Then come back and seal it 🙂 I used Dixie Belles Gator Hide to seal this piece.
Like always I have a video that goes more in depth for you below 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
Here is my final product!! Let me know what you think in the comments!!
Happy Creating Friends ❤️❤️❤️
XOXOXO
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