How to Make a Faux Paint Glaze

Acrylic Glaze

• 1

  Protect your floor, carpet or table with a dropcloth or plastic.

• 2

  Take a glass jar and use the marker to make three lines on its side, next to each write the letters C, for colorant or artist's acrylic paint; A, for acrylic glaze; and W, for water. The ratio for an acrylic glaze should be 5 percent colorant, 75 percent acrylic glaze and 20 percent water. Try to stay as close to these percentages as possible, though going over or under a bit should not affect the viability of the glaze.

• 3

  Pour the colorant, or artist's paint, in the jar first, followed by the acrylic glaze and water, to the appropriate measuring point.

• 4

  Place the lid on the jar and shake it vigorously for a few minutes.

• 5

  Check the bottom of the jar for sediment to make sure the glaze is thoroughly mixed. If not, shake it again.

• 6

  Open the jar and check the color. If it is too strong, add a bit more water; if it is too pale, add more colorant. Make these adjustments just a teaspoon at a time, as you can always add to the glaze but obviously cannot remove ingredients.

Oil-Based Glaze

• 7

  Protect your floor, carpet or table with a dropcloth or plastic.

• 8

  Take a small or tall glass jar and, with the marker, make three lines on the side, one each next to the letters C, for colorant, or artist's oil paint; O, for oil glaze; and T, for turpentine. The ratio for an oil-based glaze should be 5 percent artist's oil, 80 percent oil glaze and 15 percent turpentine. Try to stay as close to these percentages as possible, though going over or under a bit should not affect the viability of the glaze.

• 9

  Pour the colorant, or artist's oil paint, in the jar first. Add the turpentine next. Mix with a brush or spoon. Then add the oil glaze.

• 10

  Place the lid on the jar and shake it vigorously for a few minutes.

• 11

  Check the bottom of the jar for lumps, which often occurs with artist's oils. If the glaze is not thoroughly mixed, shake the jar again until the colorant is dissolved. Lumps of paint will distort the color if the ingredients are not mixed thoroughly.

• 12

  Open the jar and check the color. If it is too strong, add a bit more turpentine or water; if it is too pale, add more colorant. Make these adjustments just a teaspoon at a time, as you can always add to the glaze but obviously cannot remove ingredients.