Glaze or antiquing (Residential and Commercial Painting)

Glaze or antiquing is a painting technique that adds depth and visual interest to flat surfaces. It involves applying a thin, translucent layer of paint over a base color to create the appearance of age or patina. The glaze can be tinted to any color, but it's typically darker than the base color to create contrast.

The first step in glazing is to prepare the surface with a base coat of paint. This can be any color, but it's important to choose a color that will look good with the glaze. Once the base coat is dry, a glaze mixture is created by mixing paint and a glazing medium. The glazing medium is what thins the paint and makes it more transparent.

To apply the glaze, a brush or roller is dipped into the glaze mixture and then lightly dragged across the surface in a random pattern. This creates a subtle effect where the glaze settles into low spots and skips over high spots. The goal is to create a soft, subtle texture that looks natural and organic.

After the glaze is applied, it's important to work quickly to remove any excess before it dries. This can be done with a dry brush or a clean rag. The technique used for removing the excess glaze will determine the final appearance of the piece. If too much glaze is removed, the effect will be subtle. If more glaze is left on the surface, it will look more dramatic.

Glaze or antiquing is a versatile technique that can be used on furniture, walls, and even artwork. It's a great way to give a piece of furniture or wall a vintage or shabby chic look. Additionally, it's a relatively simple technique that can be done by anyone with some basic painting skills.