How to Woodgrain With Confidence: Create a Realistic Faux Birch Panel

About this class:

This is a basic woodgraining class which aims at explain the foundation and the idea of painting a realistic faux Birch-wood panel. The class is made for everyone, from beginners all the way through to professionals. 

What will you learn:

How to woodgrain like a master craftsman/woman in the 21st century with water-based medias.

How to understand the basics of heart-grain and straight-grain, where to place knots and what to think about when it comes to overglazing with moirés and flames.

And also the use of different tools, such as sponges and brushes to achieve a realistic faux Birch panel.

Why you should take this class:

• Every time I open my portfolio with a wood-grained panel in front of a client I get the 'WOW factor', even if I'm not pitching for a woodgraining job. For a client to see these skills, almost always gets them on 'the hook'.
• The techniques I'm using are the exact techniques I would use on-site, therefor I know that they work and are not too time-consuming. Speed is something that will come with practice.
• These processes can easily be adapted to pretty much all interior elements, from doors to walls, ceilings and floors. and also exterior if using the right products.
• I've got several years in the trade as a decorative artist, starting in Sweden, New York City and now living in London. Working at some of the most prestigious hotels, museums and private residences over the world.

Who this class is for:

This class is for everyone, from beginners all the way through to professionals. I'm a firm believer that anyone can gain something from this class. This class will showcase the basics but also give you an in-depth understanding of a wide range of woodgraining techniques.  These techniques will be something I will refer to later on, in other woodgraining classes.

Materials:

• Canvas or something to paint on.
• Basecoat in given colour (preferably eggshell or satin)
• Low tack tape
• Rullers and Set square
• Pencil
• Acrylic Glaze (Golden Pro, HV'Art or equivalent)
• Acrylic colours (Raw Umber, Raw Sienna, Burnt Umber and Ultramarine blue)
• Palette
• Varnish or Lacquer

Brushes

• Application brush
• Badger brush
• Spalter 80mm
• Pointed Artist brush
• Hoghair Fitch
• Viscose Sponge
• Cloth/Rag