Wood graining

[Anonymous]

I would like to wood grain my my main living room's woodwork and would like to know what tools/products to use.

Do you use normal paint? I want a mid brown almost oak-like finish and from what I have seen in the past there appears to be a yellow base coat followed by a darker brown coat which has been combed using a special tool. What colours/type of paint do I use? I want a very primitive finish - nothing too fancy as I live in cottage.

Thanks,

Peter

 

[Anonymous]

I'm sure there will be more experienced chaps able to offer advice but just in case they don't see your post - For a light English oak appearance I was taught to use an oil-based base, using a colour not dissimilar to the background on this site, perhaps a little more yellowy. After the base is dry, a water based darker brown was then applied. Traditionally it'd probably be oil-based too, but water based paints are easier to work with. We used cheap acrylics in squeezy bottles and the best thing about this is that if/when you#####it up, you can wipe off your mistake and start over.
While the dark brown's wet you do your combing to give the basic grain. When the paint's beginning to go sticky you can feather the grain by dragging with a soft dry bristle brush and then if you're after an English oak appearance, you can add that delicate pattern which looks like the fat in a good piece of meat* which you can create by dabbing/rolling away with a damp pencil brush as the workability of the paint draws to a close.
Best doing smallish sections at a time, and then coating with a good hard varnish. Probably not especially authentic I suppose, but you might find working like this better to begin with, till you're more confident to go the old-school route.
If you're anywhere near Doncaster I might be able to put you on to a really skilled chap who lives there who used to teach this sort of thing. He knows the 'proper' way to do it with oil paints and fullers earth etc but sings the praises of water-based paints as they can be more rewarding especially for those who don't have years of experience under their belt, and they're better for you too.
One more thing I would recommend is to have some real wood to hand to inspire you.

 

[Anonymous]

*(I can't recall what the pattern to which I was referring is called. Med....something? Crumbs. Check out a piece of oak and look for the lighter flecks. That's what I'm referring to.)

 

[Anonymous]

I would suggest you use an oil based eggshell as the lighter base coat followed by an oil based scumble glaze. These can be bought ready mixed or you can make your own. Ratcliffe's make ranges ready tinted for various wood colours. A good book on how to make your own is "Parry's marbling and graining".

You can experiment to create whatever effect you are looking for, but for oak graining it is traditional to use metal combs. The scumble is first combed along the direction of the grain then combed again at an angle to the grain. This breaks up the grain and gives it a characteristicly oaky appearance.

It is possible to get videos. I learned mahogany graining for my hall and landing doors from a video followed by some trial and error. The technique for that wood is quite different, requiring a badger softener and a flogged water based overglaze (I love the terminology!.

I have bought the video for oak graining and hope to be starting this soon in my living room.

 

[Anonymous]

Matt >Med....something? Crumbs

Medullary ray. It's the same term as used to desribe a similar looking feature in the kidney. I wonder which came first?

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks matt, I live in Nottingham which is not too form Doncaster. Can I have his details.

Many thanks for the contributions. DH Lawrence's Birthplace museum in Eastwood, Notts, has woodgraining in its parlour and it is quite crudely carried out which is the look that I aim to achieve as my house is only a cottage.

Thanks,

Peter

 

[Anonymous]

You could do worse than having a look at Kevin McCloud's book:


Kevin Mccloud's Complete Book of Paint and Decorat

 

[Anonymous]

My former teacher in Doncaster is called Bill Walker. I know everyone's jolly nice on this discussion board but for the sake of Bill's privacy, would you email me in person for his contact details?
oddjobboy[spams]@gmail.com (Remove '[spams]').

 

[Anonymous]

Just spoke to Bill. He's happy to help if you're still interested. Here's he email (remove the '[spams]' bit: bill.walker[spams]@pa-entertainment.co.uk
Good luck with your project
Matt

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for you effort on this, I won't be doing for a good few months but I want to be prepared!

Thanks,

Peter