Belgium Blue Faux Marble – Watch & Learn

GIDP was commissioned to paint a large number of pedestals as a base for the artwork of a prestigious artist. One of the many pedestals that were painted was to mimic Belgium Blue marble. Belgium Blue marble only has 2 definite colors, making the fissures and veins dominant features. In this video series, Pierre demonstrates how to paint a realistic Belgium Blue faux marble finish. Typically, faux marble finishes are completed in a 3-layer process; 1- background, 2- veining, 3- overglazing; each layer is separated into a video below.

Watch Pierre Finkelstein of Grand Illusion Decorative Painting, Inc. demonstrate how to paint a Belgium Blue Pedestal using the HV’Art Lacquer Paint System.

He begins with an already primed and basecoated pedestal (tinted grey). For this, he used Gesso Style Primer, and Lacquer Paint (Ceramic 90 – finish coat). Both layers were sanded smooth after drying to create a smooth even surface. Note: Lacquer Paint is a finish coat so it is best to use Decorative Canvas Basecoat beneath the glaze

For the Belgian Blue finish, he begins his background layer by laying down the foundation for his fragments. For his tinted Glazing Medium, he tints the Lacquer Glaze to a black tone. Slow drying Acrylic Colors were used. He then applies strokes diagonally (working in beds) using different tonalities of black. He then uses his Chiqueteur brush to create a mottled texture on his glaze. He gently knocks down the texture and then lightly softens with Softener brushes. To create a realistic marble effect, he demonstrates how to connect the edges of the marble, and add a counter-pass cut on the top. After drying, he polishes with 1000 grit sandpaper to remove hairs or imperfections before moving on to Layer 2.

In the previous video, Pierre showed you how to create the Background Layer (Layer 1). On the Veining Layer (Layer 2), Pierre sets up his veins by adding a textured background in the same direction as his background strokes (using a 3-header Chiqueteur). After softening with a Softener Brush; he starts veining with a Brecher brush, creating a thick anchor of breche veins towards the bottom. He uses several veining brushes to create thin delicate veins. He then softens in the direction of the veins to create a feathered and elongated look. He then creates thin fissures in a cross direction and softened the fissures in an upward motion. He finishes off with some snails and 3-header marks. On this Belgian Blue pedestal, he has painted primary, secondary, and tertiary veins

In the previous video, Pierre showed you how to create the Veining Layer (Layer 2). On the Overglazing Layer (Layer 3), Pierre adds depth by adding more texture on top of his veins. First, he rolls on a clear glaze and spreads it evenly with a Spalter Brush. Then, he adds cold black stipples onto the dark fragments using a 3-header Chiqueteur. He softens the marks with an Oil Softener while avoiding marking any thick white veins/fissures. For more depth, he uses his 2-Header (pointed) to add lines on top of some of the white veins in a cross direction; and then softens. To create further depth he adds black spots into some of his small dark fragments. He finishes by stippling the dark marks with a Chiquetuer and softening. To finish the pedestal, Pierre then varnished to a smooth high gloss finish using HV’Art Crystal Lacquer (Ceramic 90).

See also: Cutting Method for Real Marble: Red Griotte Faux Marble – A How To; White Carrara Faux Marble – Watch & Learn

Learn more about HV’Art Lacquer Paint System here

Learn Veining Fundamentals online here