WALL FINISHES

THE CHOICE WALL FINISHES OF INTERIOR DESIGNERS
 

Wall One: Creative Finishes for the Beginner or Professional

Three (3) Days, 9 AM to 5 PM

Pre-requisite: None.

 

Wall One offers far more sophistication than the nominal sponging, rag rolling and joint compound-wall mud techniques. Students will perform more intricate wall glazing techniques including multiple color mediums, layering and nuance coloration,  (Provencal and Italian 'fresco', stone)  The course emphasis is placed upon light to heavy texture medium, trowel (plaster like) mediums including embedded and relief stencil patterns. Students will use selected patterns from the Definitive Stencil Collection created by the staff.  Sample boards will include 'design elements' (items not usually associated with decorative finishes) and metallic foils, synthetic wax varnish, visual and physical texture, painted tromp l'oeil stone, wall borders and panels. In addition students will create near smooth plaster finishes: a Shimmered Suede, Portofino Plaster, Wall Leaf (high gloss metallic paste), Wall Fleece (patted unkempt fabric) and Silk Soft creating variations of Dupioni Silk.  Maximum enrollment is eight (8) students.

See Calendar and Fees for dates available and fees.

 

 

Wall Two: Finishes for Professionals Expanding Their Portfolio

Two Days, 9 AM to 5 PM

Pre-requisite: Some experience or Wall One.

Wall two expands the use of mediums introducted in Wall One. Several water-base polymer texture mediums created by various manufactures are used to duplicate old world heavy texture finishes (often termed 'Tuscan' finishes or 'worn' wall replication) plus contemporary finishes. Included is trompe l'oeil stone, pediment stone, raised stenciled pattern, unique wall crackle finishes, and blended metallic paste finishes. Students will use selected patterns from the Definitive Stencil Collection created by the staff and will become familiar with domestic and imported aggregates, paste, textures, and gel mediums. Some finishes will employ fast glaze applications we term as "glaze cheating". The finishes are a delight to the more sophisticated artisan. Course concludes with instruction in pricing, wall preparation, taping, and equipment. Maximum enrollment is eight (8) students.

See Calendar and Fees for dates available and fees.

 

Professional Series

THE CHOICE WALL FINISHES OF INTERIOR DESIGNERS
Professional Series: Wall One & Wall Two Combined (5 Days)

  

Both courses conclude with instruction in pricing, wall preparation, taping, and equipment. Students who register for either class will be sent a study pack to be read in preparation for the class.


Wall Glazing with Professional Results

One Day for beginners and home owners, 9 AM to 5 PM

 

This is a one day class offering 8 hands-on glaze finishes plus discussions of some 30 plus variations. Students will create finishes by applying multi color glazes simultaneous, shadow stenciling and finishes on a typical home wall texture.  Course includes pigmented, paint and metallic colorized glazes. Also offered is a detailed discussion of wall preparation, dealing with wall paper, textured walls and tricks to arriving at a color base coat for color glaze topcoat.  Work boards, known as sample boards, will be prepared and ready for glaze art work to be kept by the student.  All materials, supplies and lunch are provided. See Class Schedule for dates available and fees. Maximum enrollment is eight (8) students.

 


Modified Portofino through Ralph
Lauren stencil leaving a slighly
raised surface.
Excellent for lower wainscot

Closeup of Portofino
showing clarity of stencil.
Portofino verdigris and gold metallic.

Blue Pearl Wall Fleece over metallic base.

Definitive's Wren Stone for Trompe Stone. 


  

Aged Distressed Crackle Wall Finish

 

 

 

 

Modified Perfetto Portofino three step trowel process through stencil

PLASTER & TROWEL APPLIED FINISHES

 

TRADITIONAL EUROPEAN PLASTER TECHNIQUES USING

CONTEMPORARY ACRYLIC MEDIUMS (THREE DAYS)

 

For dates and fees look at Class Schedule

 

Pre-requisite: None. The unique, durable, environmentally friendly coatings applied by the decorative artist and skilled paint contractor trained in application during this course provide the knowledge required for more appealing finishes in demand for both high end residential and commercial projects, These finishes are replacing the painted and glazed techniques that previously dominated the faux finishing market. Materials used include polishing plasters, smooth basecoats, finishing polish topcoats, clear coats, pearlescent and metallic mediums. The plasters can range from, the polished feel of marble, embedded or raised pattern, to undertone color with two or three translucent colors, all creating three dimensional effects. The student will be introduced to use of stencil templates, specialty tapes, and tools that include knives, trowels, spatulas, and scrapers. These plus the required practice will produce a unique style representing the applicators own hand. The benefit to this class is the student is not restricted to one manufacture. After class support by instructors is always available.

Definitive's Venetian plaster is composed of real marble flour and acrylic polymers resulting in elastomeric properties which allow the student to create samples on light weight flexible polyboard.  Artisans need not carry heavy cumbersome masonite boards for other brands of plaster that cracks, crazes or flakes. Definitive's Venetian plaster may be custom tinted thousands of colors from light to dark or bright. The techniques taught can be applied to any plaster medium either resin or lime based. Maximum enrollment is six (6) students for the ultimate in individual attention. See Class Schedule for dates available and fees.

 

 

 

 Beautiful intense red Venetian plaster burnished and then waxed to produce a high gloss finish. The red Venetian was used in a dining room containing Italian furnishings, white marble floors with a black marble border in a Greek key pattern. Early Roman metal torch floor, wall and ceiling lighting fixtures with a gold leaf patina finish completed the theme. Timely elegance!

 


Ventian Plaster Panel with raised stencil burnished to accent.

 

Business of Decortative Art 

Building Your Portfolio and Your Business.

A Professional Approach to the Decorative Painting Business ( 4 Hours )


For dates and fees look at Class Schedule
 

Prerequisite: None.  The class is taught from the point of view of the decorative artisan and not that of a painter or paint contractor. In the session students will deal with everything from liability insurance, hospitalization facts, a review and expansion of pricing, marketing, wall and furniture portfolio, presentation, obtaining clients, dealing with and controlling clients, proposals, contracts, book keeping, the artisans chart of accounts concluding with individual attitude, confidence and esteem. Since most decorative art businesses are composed of one to three individuals an extensive or expensive computer software is not needed to maintain a decorative business. Definitive will be provided prepared master copies and a CD disk of business forms to be used in client business relations. Reohn teaches from his education with a degree in Business Administration, a degree Education and from forty years of decorative art experience and business.

 

Color Concept

Color Practicum

The Tricks for Arriving at Color Choices ( 4 Hours )

 

For dates and fees look at Class Schedule
 

Prerequisite: None.  Although this is a four hour class it will aid in coordinating colors and understanding of color theory as applied to mixing glazes and paint, the effect of base color paints on glaze, and how to use several methods of achieving a predetermined wall or furniture color finish. Interior designers recognize the creative ability of the artisan who can mix and work with complex colors. Fabrics will be selected for each student for which the student will select paint chips of real paint from the C2 Collection of Color available from Definitive's Decor. The paint chips of real paint provide a prepainted color background surface for glaze techniques.  Students will learn tips and tricks for choosing the right color paint background to compliment the fabric. The instructor will role-play 'interior designer-client' assigning several such projects. This practical hands-on class is vital to the serious decorative painter. The Color Practicum is one of two courses that should be considered prior to commencing a decorative business. We know of no other course of this nature taught in this manner offered by other schools. Maximum enrollment is eight (8) students.