Faux Finishing & Mural Painting School Blog

BREAKING NEWS!

2010-11-29T07:21:00.003-06:00

We are opening a new studio in the Houston Heights in January of 2011! 1750 square feet of space, complete with a classroom, student lounge, office, separate men's and women's bathrooms, a supply room, and 40 parking spaces out front!

Because of this, we are re-vamping our schedule, gearing around our next opening.

Stay tuned for developments!

Trompe l'oeil Painting Class in Houston!

2010-08-24T08:32:00.017-05:00

Are you interested in Trompe l'oeil - mural painting, but hesitant to make the leap and $1150.00 investment in our three-day class?

Do you crave a nurturing, local art environment that has useful information, is disciplined yet fun, and not overwhelming?

Would you like to learn step-by-step principles, that you can apply to your own home and paintings, with any brand of latex paint?

Our Trompe l'oeil - Mural Painting Class is in its tenth year, and we've trained and certified hundreds of students from across the nation in this invigorating, informative, and mind-blowing (in a good way!) block of instruction.

For the first time ever, we are offering the "Taste of Trompe l'oeil" mural painting class, which is designed for the Houston homeowner, artist, or enthusiast who wants to learn the fascinating yet simple principles of Trompe l'oeil - mural painting.

Included in this three-hour block of instruction:

*simple sky background, good for use in all types of paintings

*stone wall effect, a light and shadow "fool the eye" effect

*butterfly, the irresistable focal point

You will learn:

*tools and materials, and their use

*basic principles to creating a 3-d look on a flat surface

*easy color theory and mixing

*our patented, simple, "two-thirds" method for creating objects

*application of light and shadow

You won't be a Trompe-l'oeil artist and the end of our session, but you will have basic theoretical and practical experience which will allow you to paint without assistance in your own home or improve your existing artwork!

And, should you be so enthused as to enroll in our Trompe l'oeil - mural painting certification class after completing this session, the entire cost of this three-hour course is deducted against your enrollment fee! Trompe l'oeil mural-painting techniques can be applied to a small canvas, or an entire ceiling, even advanced artists have done this painting and said that they learned a lot in the process.

Class: Taste of Trompe l'oeil - Mural Painting

Hours: three (3)

Materials: included for use, 18x24 canvas board, free set of brushes to each student

Cost: $125.00

You may have taken other painting classes in Houston for a lesser cost, but probably not designed on the same principle -- we want our students to walk away with fundamental, useful information that will stick with them for a lifetime of painting!

As a student in the "Decorative Arts Center", a private school, you are invited into our first-class facility as a friend. You'll feel at home, special but not pretentious, and with a class size limited to eight students, you are guaranteed to get the individual attention that instructor / owner Brian Bullard knows you crave and deserve!

Schedule:

Day or night sessions, as well as weekends available.

Wed, Sep 29. Thu, Sep 30, Fri, Oct 1

Times:

10:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on each day listed above!

Location:

At our private studio near 610 and 290, minutes from T.C. Jester Park.

Registration:

Click here, and be sure to mention the "Taste of Trompe" on our secure form!

Payment:

Cash or credit card, card payments over the phone only, for your security.

Questions:

Just call 713-409-3373 or email instructor Brian from this link!

DAC Faux School Moves to Houston, Texas

2010-08-14T11:00:00.000-05:00

We're proud to announce that we've "landed" in Houston, Texas. Here's a look around at the new faux finishing school and garden. The second story is the classroom, currently under renovation with tile, new lighting, etc. A staircase will come off of the balcony, allowing students easy access to the "Mediterranean Garden", where patio furniture is placed throughout. Pictured also is our "Ridgeless Ridgeback" Caesar, who loves to make the rounds.

The grounds also feature a limestone waterfall, Sago palms, Mexican Fans, and other foliage typical for any garden in the Mediterranean region.

The patio is laid in ungaged slate and is shaded by mature pecan trees and a 35 ft. palm, offering students a serene space to mingle or stretch out during breaktime.

We hope you enjoyed this small tour. If you would like to follow our renovation, please click on the "School Renovation" label on the right to see more!

Faux Grand-iversary!

2010-08-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

Our "grand re-opening" in Houston, Texas coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Decorative Arts Center School for Faux Finishes, and we're celebrating the moment with our "Grand-iversary Spring Fever" class and party on Saturday and Sunday, September 18-19, 2010.

In the year 2000, we kick-started the DAC with our $500 "Spring Fever" class on weekends, featuring fourteen faux finishing samples that were created without the use of any special "faux products" such as proprietary glazes or special tools, thus making us the very first national-level faux finishing school to tout "non-product oriented".

To commemorate this, the "Grand-iversary Spring Fever" will take place at the new DAC with fourteen faux sample boards, for the exact same price -- $500! This is a one-time event, after that the Spring Fever will go back to its usual price of $750.

Also included will be our "Grand-iversary" party on Saturday night, consisting of food and drinks in the DAC's new "Mediterranean Garden", which features a waterfall and several palms. This will be a great opportunity to get to know your painting comrades and blow off some steam after a hard day's work... but don't drink too many margaritas, because Sunday will be jam-packed with another session of faux painting!

But wait, that's not all -- for those going into the business of faux finishing, or looking to revitalize an existing business, we are offering Monday as a "Business Day" add-on for only $250, bringing your total to $750, which is half of what our "Threeday Faux" class sold for in recent years. Learn everything you need to establish. maintain, and promote your faux painting business, in a three-day class including a party, for only $750!

Again, this is a one-time only offer to celebrate ten years of success at the Decorative Arts Center with another well-paced, informative, and fun class. Learn our non-product methods to increase savings and profit! We have a maximum of ten (1o) spots available for this inaugural event and are "blasting" the nation with the news -- spaces will fill quite quickly so be sure to reserve your spot in the class now!

Faux Spring Fever = $500
Sat-Sun, Sept. 18-19, 2010
9am to 5pm

Business Add-On = $250
Mon, Sept. 20, 2010
9am to 5pm

All samples included, all tools and mediums provided for use, complimentary food and drink daily, free ride to and from our recommended hotels and to the airport (IAH) on the last day.

Click the image at right to pre-register for this event now!
Email us with your questions or call 713-409-3373!

Venetian Plaster Class

2010-08-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

What is Venetian Plaster? It is a generalized term for a semi-transluscent, tinted plaster which contains "marble powder". Mixing, tinting, surface preparations, applications, history, pricing of venetian plaster is taught in this informative and fun venetian plaster class.

Learn the difference between venetian plaster styles of Stucco Antico, Encaustico, Veneziano, Stucco Lustro and others. Burnishing, waxing, striping, inlays, structured, & smooth venetian plaster are some of the venetian plaster techniques covered in class. Stand out by offering the best in venetian plaster!

We use an affordable yet stunning acrylic-based (synthetic) venetian plaster for this class that is available locally or through the internet, you can use any venetian plaster (per our instructions) when you leave!

You will complete seven finished 14" x 22" venetian plaster boards and be armed with the proper knowledge to carry out further venetian plaster projects! You can use venetian plaster on columns, ceilings, walls, & almost any other given surface.

Special venetian plaster note from our instructor, Brian Bullard: "Why is it "real"? Most people have been taught or tried venetian plaster one way: thick, when it is actually venetian plaster is designed to be applied thinly. There are several "real" application methods to venetian plaster and you will learn them all in my venetian plaster class. You'll also find that venetian plaster is not labor intensive, if it is, then you're doing it wrong!".

Click here for more info on the "Real Venetian Plaster Class"!

"Threeday" Faux Finishing & Business Class

2010-08-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

Our famous "Threeday Faux Finishing & Painting Business Class" is a condensed and easy to understand faux finishing business class which will teach you how to paint, price, and sell faux finishing with success as a business! If you are starting a faux finishing business or improving existing skills, this is the course for you!

Day 1- Basic Faux Finishing: Learn the basic faux finishing techniques which are the foundation of the faux finishing business: blending, colorwashing, layering, and "shooting", painting stunning finishes including Faux Leather, Aged Parchment, Stone Blocks, Trompe l'oeil Cracks, and other finishing effects. Extensive instruction on mixing the faux finishing glazes with any brand of paint and "Basic Painting & Preps Made Easy".

Day 2- Advanced Faux Painting: Using the same techniques to create realistic faux finishes for your clients: Portoro, Carrara, and Granite marble, graining Burlwood, Bird's Eye Maple, advanced block painting, inlays and more. Learn to analyze in layers, enabling you to paint any faux finish that you will be faced with.

Day 3- Faux Business Design: Color cards, mixing, and matching, selecting the proper value, color and faux finish, creating mock-ups, identifying given surfaces, elements and more are covered in the "faux design" portion of the class. A faux finishing scenario is given to each student and they paint a faux finish design sample for a mock project with help from the instructor. Students also create an itemized list of services and prices on a contract.

Day 3- The Faux Finishing Business $$$: Easy to understand but everything you need to know: the business of decorative painting. Specifically for establishing a new or revising an existing faux finishing business.

Topics include registering the business, liability and disability insurance, essential faux business inventory, naming the faux finishing business, where and how to advertise your faux business, website pro and cons, buying painting materials with business discounts, quarterly and annual taxes, deductions and how they work for the faux finishing business, pricing all faux finishing services, unintimidating contracts that protect the faux business, lowering business costs, merchant accounts, printed materials for your business, expanding areas for increased income, business vehicles, portfolios, faux business marketing, working with designers, paying commissions, selling clients on faux finishing projects, settling business disputes, care of a faux finishing project, collecting payment and more.

This is vital business information pertaining specifically to the business of decorative painting and faux finishing.
Click here for more info on the "Threeday Faux Business Class"

Trompe l'oeil & Mural Painting Class

2010-08-14T07:30:00.000-05:00

Trompe l'oeil (french for "fool the eye") is the process of using light and shadow to create a seemingly 3-d object on a flat surface. Used in combination with mural painting, an artist can create elements such as Trompe l'oeil moldings, windows with mural scenes, faux skies, etc.

No drawing skills necessary, no experience required for this Trompe l'oeil - Mural class! You only need to be able to trace and transfer on paper. Individuality in each Trompe l'oeil - mural work is encouraged, no two mural samples will be alike.

Included in this Trompe l'oeil - Mural class:
*several Trompe l'oeil painting sky studies *Trompe l'oeil lattices *painting water *mural landscapes / horizons *Trompe l'oeil ornament and moulding painting *trees of different types and sizes for murals *flowers & insects for murals and Trompe l'oeil *landscapes & scenes for painting ceilings, walls and more!

These mural paintings are designed in an easy to use system which gives your clients several Trompe l'oeil - mural painting options and price ranges to choose from. You will leave this class with 15 painted Trompe l'oeil - mural painting samples and a strong knowledge in the principles of Trompe l'oeil and mural painting.

Throughout the years we have trained everyone, from the inexperienced novice, to talented artists who were lacking fundamental processes. Rather than focus on one painting for a full week, you'll learn to do a little bit of everything, which will arm you with the basic principles to tackle any scene or object when painting Trompe-l'oeil - murals.

Many aspire to create Trompe l'oeil - murals, but wind up tangled in a myriad of difficulties. Learn to be practical from start to finish, and how to apply that to every Trompe l'oeil - mural painting! Warning: your friends and competitors may suffer from envy!"

More info and images at the link below!
http://decartctr.tripod.com/fauxtrompe.html

Furniture & Fixture Faux Class

2010-08-14T07:15:00.000-05:00

Learn the most valuable and time-tested faux finishes for furniture and fixtures such as cabinets, mantles, railings, lamps, and other accessories in this informative and fun hands-on faux finishing class!

Instructor Brian Bullard leads you through the process with simple tools and locally available materials to marble, woodgrain, distress, crack, age, gild, and decorate the surface. Students faux finish actual pieces of furniture and fixtures in the classroom during the "free time" project. With assistance from the instructor, the only limit is your imagination.

How to quickly clean, repair, patch, sand and prime any surface in prep for faux finishing. Learn to prep formica and other laminates as well as raw, pre-stained, or painted wood surfaces. Find out how to use varnish, shellac, polyeurethane, polycrylic, and other clearcoats to protect your faux finish and set the final sheen!

Faux finishes taught include:
Aging Effects: *Antique Wash *Distressed Strie' *Verdigris Patina *Large Craquele' (crackle) *Small Craquele'
Woodgraining Techniques: *Walnut Burl w/ Beer-glaze *Simple Woodgraining *French Country Look (Clair-bois) *Colonial Graining w/ wheat-Base
Marbling Techniques: *Guatemala Green Marble *Veined Carrarra *Faux Malachite *Pink Portugese Marble
Metallic Applications: *Distressed Gilding w/ composition gold leaf *Gold Ornament w/ composition gold leaf *Gold Lacquer Striping *Dull Gold & Copper Glazing

Pricing is discussed in a one-hour session and you will receive a pricing guide for furniture and fixtures as well as a diploma for completing the class. More info at the link below.
http://decartctr.tripod.com/fauxfinishfurniture.html

Classic Pet Portrait Painting Class

2010-08-14T07:10:00.000-05:00

Our "Pet Portraits" painting class will guide you through the entire process of creating a pet portrait. Bring photos of any pet: cat, dog, bird, hamster, whatever you desire!

The class begins with a study of each pet: proper composition, placement, contrasts, background options, etc. We will then use "help methods" to resize and transfer your pet portrait image as necessary. After a refresher in basic painting techniques, the pet portrait is painted in acrylics with guidance from your instructor.

Special note from instructor Brian Bullard: "Hundreds of students have adored the portraits of my cats displayed in the school. When painting clients realize I can do pet portraits they are "hooked". Almost anyone is willing to pay good money for a portrait of their pet, and I have painted them on canvas as well as into murals throughout the years".

Uses: Pet portraits for use on canvas, in murals, on furniture as well as other objects.

More images and info at this link!
http://decartctr.tripod.com/fauxportraits.html

Sky Painting with Clouds

2010-08-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Recent Project: Working on a sky painting for a Trompe l'oeil window.

With the background blended in a blue fade with incidentals, warm tones are laid in on the thin horizon clouds. The same value is then lightened for a second application on the highlight side, covering approximately 2/3rds of the cloud. With the value lightened again, work begins on the highlight side, covering the upper 1/3rd of the cloud.

In the final stage, blue is used sparingly for corrections and the final highlight value is applied.

Learn something? We hope so, this is one of the many techniques taught in our "Trompe l'oeil - Mural Painting Class", click the link for more images / info!