Tortoise shell is a specialty faux finish used on small objects or as inlaid veneers. This is not a wall finish, so it is really a quick, easy finish to do.
This finish can be done in latex glaze, although I will explain how to do it in oil which is how I do the finish. With latex glaze there is a chance of getting some mud cracking so I will avoid this by using oil.
Base Coat
Your base coat can be a latex satin paint and that is what I recommend. It will dry fast and you will not have to deal with solvents and clean up issues etc..... The base coat is a slightly orange bright yellow.
Glaze Colors
You will be using a paint / glaze for this technique. The paint colors are a deep red brown (almost black), and a red / orange. See below.
Glaze mix: 1 part oil satin sheen paint , 1 part mineral spirits, 1 part oil based glaze.
Clear glaze mix: 1 part glaze, 1 part thinner
Technique
Paint your base coat on and allow it to dry thoroughly. Once dry, you will wet the surface with the clear glaze. Immediately add some spots of different sizes and widths with both paint glaze colors. Use a small brush or "artist" brush about 1/4" - 3/8" wide to put them on the surface.
Clear Coating
Allow the glaze to dry 48 hours, then apply a clear coat to finish off the technique. I use shellac for this. You can use an areosol spray can of shellac, or brush, or roll it on with a foam roller.
Blot the spots with a soft cotton rag lightly to soften them. Next soften them with a badger blender.
Next, using a badger blending brush, drag the whole surface out in one direction and somewhat "smear" (not too much) the whole surface to give it directional flow. This will serve as your background.
Add back in some more small spots of both colors (primarily the brown) and soften these lightly only in the direction of the established flow. These will be more "focused" spots on the surface of the blurred background.
Tortoise Shell
Search This Site
 | ||||
Custom Search
| ||||
The
Concourse eStore
| ||||
| ||||
| ||||
| ||||
| ||||
| ||||
SM
Painting Tips and Advice
| ||||
Painting and Decorating Concourse
| ||||
| ||||
| ||||
Our "terms of use" governs your use of our website; by using our website, you accept this disclaimer in full. If you disagree with any part of our "terms of use", do not use our website.
| ||||
