Faux Painting on Brass Filigree Tutorial - YES you can!

Gorgeous Halo Pink/Violet/Gold Vintaj Brass Filigree

and

Fun Alcohol Ink Color Mixed Vintaj  Brass Teardrops

DIY Tutorial in 4 easy steps!

Today I'm going to share a little J-LYNN DIY Recipe with you...Faux Painting on Vintaj Brass Filigree pieces.  Here's the supply list:

SUPPLIES:
Brass Filigree pieces of your choice (examples shown are Vintaj Natural Brass Co.)
Acrylic Paint in White, Off-White, or Cream
Tim Holtz Adirondack Bright Alcohol Inks (your color choices)
Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Blending Solution (for lightening ink colors and cleaning)
Lumiere Light Body Metallic Acrylic Paints (your color choices)
Script Liner Brush
Stencil Brush
foam dabbers
Varnish (your choice of finish...matte, satin or gloss)
Sponge Brush (for Varnishing)
Papertowels
Gloves
Waxpaper
Posterboard (for practicing)

Step 1:  Preparing the base surface on the Brass Filigree
Line your painting surface with waxpaper (best so your filigree doesn't stick or pick up pieces of newsprint).  Apply White or Cream Acrylic Base to the filigree pieces (front & back) with a Stencil Brush and using a pouncing technique (load brush, swirl around, then apply to filigree in an up & down patting motion).  Blot off excess paint with paper towel and allow to dry (~5-10 minutes).  If you would like a brighter look, apply a second coat.  Using a stencil brush versus a sponge or foam piece gives your piece more dimension because the paint will be stippled in between the filigree details.  Note:  If you are using antiqued pieces, they should be cleaned in warm, soapy water and allowed to dry (or use a brass cleaning polish such as MAAS) to remove any built up dirt or oils that have accumulated over the years.

Looking for a Shabby Chic look?  Look for our next tutorial on Antiquing & Crackling!

Step 2 - Adding base color to Teardrops & Chandelier Filigrees with either Adirondack Ink or Lumiere Metallic paint
Teardrops:  We used Adirondack Ranger Ink - apply ink to both sides of your Filigrees with a paint dabber, sponge or regular paint brush and dry.  Use one color as shown in the bottom two examples (purple and olive)...or use a combination of two color inks as shown in the top (green/gold).  In this example we used the ink straight from the bottle - however, if you would like to lighten the ink tones, mix a bit of Alcohol Blending Solution with your ink before applying.  Filigrees will have a somewhat "dark" appearance until we add the Lumiere highlights in Step 3. 

Teardrops shown with undiluted Adirondack Alcohol Ink

NOTE:  For Chandelier Filigree...we applied a base coat of Lumiere Metallic Acrylic paint to both sides.

Step 3 - Highlighting your Filigree pieces with Lumiere Metallic paints
In this example we used Halo Pink-Gold for our base, then using our Script Liner Paint Brush, and added touches of Halo Violet-Gold & Metallic Gold.  It's important to start with a damp paintbrush and only pick up a small amount of paint on the tip of your script liner.  Feather stroke the areas you'd like to highlight on the Filigree - using a very light hand (this is where practicing on a posterboard comes in handy - Feather strokes are like a barely touching sweep across the surface of the Filigree). 

Chandelier elements being highlighted with Script Liner and

Lumiere Metallic Gold (Halo Violet-Gold already applied)

Both Chandelier & Teardrops drying after being highlighted with Lumiere Metallic paints

Step 4 - Finishing Steps

It's best to seal your Filigree and give it a durable, protective finish.  Using a Wedge Foam Brush, load it with Interior Varnish (we used Gloss) and apply with long strokes across the Filigree surface.  Let dry approximately 10 minutes and add a second coat if desired.  We also varnish the back side as well.  Remove any bubbles or excess varnish in between filigree with your script liner brush.  Clean-up:  Acrylic paints are waterbased and will clean up warm soapy water or simply warm water.  Alcohol Inks should be cleaned using the Ranger Ink Alcohol Blending Solution and then warm, soapy water.

Closeup:  Teardrops  and Chandeliers highlighted with Lumiere Metallic paints

 and then finished with Glossy Varnish - VIBRANT and FUN!

 

Oh so CHIC and Beautiful...read to create into fabulous earrings, pendants

or possibly to decorate a lampshade of other home decor project.

Suppliers:

Your local craft stores should carry most supplies (Jo-Ann's, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, AC Moore).  Look for the economical 3-pack of Ranger Ink at Jo-Ann's.  For Vintaj Brass and other finished ART pieces, we hope you will consider shopping with us at our Etsy Supply store.  For Lumiere paints...try Stampington Company - it's one of my favorites for a lot of different craft items.  They carry Lumiere Metallic Paints (by Jacquard Products) and it's available in a variety pack for $14.95 - here's the product link:   http://www.stampington.com/html/lumiere_acrylic_paints.html

Vintaj Natural Brass Co. has an awesome website and blog - please take the time to check their products and idea gallery!

JLynnJewelrySupplies on Etsy:   http://www.etsy.com/people/JLynnJewelrySupplies 

(store link in right column too).  Here you will find quality jewelry supplies and our handcrafted ART accent design pieces:

• Vintaj Findings
• Watercolor ART Vintaj Pendant Bezels & Charms
• Altered ART Scrapbook style Wood Tiles & Discs
• Faux Painted ART Brass Filigree

If you don't see what you're looking for in Filigrees or any Vintaj natural Brass supplies, just convo us and we'd be happy to do a special order for you...we are a retail supplier of Vintaj products and are constantly updating the store with new products.

WE HOPE you enjoyed this J-Lynn DIY Recipe Tutorial for Faux Painting on Vintaj Brass Filigree pieces! 

LOOK for additional tutorials soon...if you have a special request, question, or product inquiry, please feel free to get contact us - we love to share and inspire you :)