When prepping your movie set, you’ll want to make sure that all of your props are properly placed and designed to perfection! If you want your movie set to look as realistic as possible – the last thing you’ll want to do is create a half-fast set with dull items. You’ll want to make everything stand out in its own little way.  For these reasons, many artists and designers are using faux finishes as a way to add that special detail to wood furniture pieces used on movie sets. There are literally tons of ways you can learn how to faux finish a wooden furniture piece.

First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure that your wooden piece is as clean as possible. This may entail stripping the existing finish off by sanding the piece down. It may also include fixing any loose ends like loose nails, chips and/or dark stain spots usually caused by burns or dyes. Once you have your furniture piece restored back to its Gothic state, you are ready to prepare for the finish. If you read any tutorial on how to faux finish, you’ll see that the normal procedure always starts out with identifying the materials you will need based on the type of faux finishing technique you prefer to use. The easiest of which would be sponging the finish. Now that you have gotten that out of the way and your materials are readily accessible, you are ready to go.

While squeezing the top of the sponge together with your fingers, dip it into your paint, making sure that you only apply a small amount of paint to the bottom of the sponge. Do not saturate the sponge or else you will notice that there are not enough breathe spaces on the actual wood. The idea is to make the wooden piece resemble the realistic faux leather finish. Gently apply the sponge to the wooden piece in quick motions throughout one area at a time. It may be easier to apply the paint in small square sections at a time. However, be sure that you are painting sections directly next to each other. By painting sporadic sections all of over the wooden piece you are jeopardizing the consistency and flow throughout the piece. Once you have covered the entire surface area of the furniture, all you need is a nice shiny shellac to finish your piece off. This is the easiest way one can learn how to faux finish wooden furniture for a movie set! 

In order to achieve a natural look with your next mural painting project, you may want to consider using metallic paints when applying your faux finishes. As you very well know, an artist will utilize anything at their disposal to create a work of art, whether that be using an unusual medium or paints that are typically not intended for their current purpose, so it's an obvious choice to choose metallic paints to make your faux finishes as realistic as possible.

Though metallic paints were once only reserved for cars, they are now becoming widely used within the creation of movie sets and murals. They can give any work of art a metallic shine and a great way to implement a unique marble effect for pieces that are meant to portray a Roman villa or opulent estate. Essentially, when talking about faux finishes, there really is no limit to how metallic paints can increase the natural appearance of a variety of sets or large masterpieces. If you're looking for a way to reflect light or add dimension to your creation, then metallic paints are a great way to achieve that.

The paints you choose are, of course, crucial in creating the look that you want for your next piece. Whether you want the versatility of acrylic paints or the rich color of oil paints; your decisions during the paint selection process will determine the end result. Therefore, using metallic paints is unparalleled in the creation of a stone surface within your mural or set, as well as to give it a more modern feel, if you so desire.

Using metallic paints for mural painting can provide you with faux finishes that are remarkable in quality and appearance. If you want to make your sets or large works of art truly believable, then selecting this type of paint can make all the difference. Adding that bit of magic to your masterpiece has never been easier, regardless of whether it's an exterior or interior piece. Given that metallic paints can achieve any number of looks, why not consider using them for your next big project. 

Having the ability to harness the aesthetic appeal of metallic paints for faux finishes can prove to be exponentially beneficial for any individual, especially for artists who are prone to work on murals and theater sets.  There are a wide array of different benefits to acquiring the perfect faux finish ranging from providing an edgy appeal to a finished work of art to even making a painting seem far more luxurious and finished.  Faux finishes for walls have become extremely popular throughout the art community as more individuals are beginning to realize the benefits of harnessing such a talent.

Faux painting provides an establishment or a theatre with a unique sense of ambiance.  Rather than having a generically painted wall, faux painting provides an artistic appeal that allows the painter to express their inner talents.  Generally with the techniques used with faux painting, it makes walls and other exterior elements seem more natural than manufactured.  Faux finishes also provide a place with an aesthetic edge alongside practical benefits.  Ensuring that the faux finish matches the mural or other paintings surrounding it can prove to be beneficial.

Another major benefit to faux finishes is that they are relatively simple to achieve.  As long as the desired surface is relatively plain and extremely clean, faux finishes for walls should be extremely easy to do.  Learning the proper techniques is also an activity that can prove to be fun for a wide variety of different people from different demographics and these techniques can be used on a wide variety of different surfaces.

The final and most important benefit to faux finishes is that it will last longer than a wide variety of other decorating objects such as wallpaper.  Faux finishes will not peel off or become damaged by weathering as badly as other mediums may be.  Considering that the method itself is simple to perform, if any damages do occur it should be relatively simple to provide a solution to the damaged art.

As more muralists and other painters are beginning to understand the dense amount of benefits to faux finishes for walls, more companies require their artists to add this artistic appeal to their work.  Being able to take advantage of new and upcoming techniques will not only add a more stylistic appeal to a piece of art but it will also help a company seem more edgy and up to date.

From primers to sealers and equipment cleaners, Star Scenic products are some of the highest quality products on the market today. They have been trusted by professionals and beginners alike for a wide variety of purposes and uses. No matter what your next project is or what you need to complete it, there is a Star Scenic product for you.

Ronan Bulletin Colors

Ronan Bulletin Colors, available in a wide variety of colors and hues, are specially formulated for sign and billboard use. The high quality, high enamel, weather-resistant finish can be used to paint backgrounds, graphics, and lettering on a wide range of surfaces, including wood, Masonite, masonry, and metal. Dry to the touch in just three to four hours, ready to handle in 6 to 8 hours, and ready to recoat in 12 hours, all Ronan Bulletin Colors are fully cured in just 7 days. (Note: Dry time listed is at 70 F and a relative humidity of 50%. Product may take longer to dry in colder or more humid temperatures.)

One Shot Lettering Enamels

Chosen by pinstripe and sign painting professionals for more than 50 years, One Shot Lettering Enamels provide you with excellent flow, single stroke coverage, and exceptional durability. This oil-based, high gloss enamel product is offered in a wide range of colors and hues. One Shot Lettering Enamels can be used for both interior and exterior surfaces, including metal, glass, and wood.

Break-Through 1000 Hour Primer

This hard, durable, and chemically resistant waterborne acrylic primer can be used for both interior and exterior metal surfaces. Applied directly to metal, no other product on the market can offer the same rust protection as the Break-Through 1000 Hour Primer, and they have the tests to prove it. Even after 1,500 hours of hot salt spray exposure, Break-Through 1000 Hour Primer still held strong. Best of all, the Break-Through 1000 Hour Primer doesn’t need a topcoat.

No matter what your project needs, there is a flame retardant product that can deliver. The flame retardant you use should be high-quality and should provide high performance for all of your scenic art needs. Below are some of the best Firetect flame retardant products we have available, and we suggest them to anyone who is on the hunt for a new, safe, and effective flame retardant product for their scenic art needs.

Firetect  Flame Retardant (Clear)  WT-103

The Firetect WT-103 flame retardant is available in a five gallon option. It’s a flat coating that is Class B interior, intumescent, latex, and clear. Its formulation is non-hazardous and non-toxic, as well as non-carcinogenic. You can use it for all sorts of applications, including over wood, fiberboard, plasterboard, and cardboard. It also works well when applied to foliage and various decorative surfaces. If you need a clear, flat, flame-retardant coating, this product is ideal because it’s versatile and capable of working on a number of surface types.

Firetect  Safe-T-Guard

Also sold in a five gallon option, Safe-T-Guard is an interior flame retardant designed for most fibers, including synthetics and metallic. It’s a great flame retardant because it also works on some cardboard, and even some paper. Although it can’t be used on acetate, acrylic, or nylon, it is ideal for most flame retardant needs because it can work for most fibers. It doesn’t have a strong odor and it won’t leave any flaky residue behind after application. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about Safe-T-Guard flame retardant discoloring or shrinking your fabric. Non-hazardous and non-toxic, this product is available in concentrate and is water-soluble.

Have questions about these flame retardants? Would you like more suggestions? We can help you out. Give us a call!

Today we’re going to share with you some high-quality concrete finishes that won’t disappoint when it comes to performance. These finishes know how to deliver and they are some of our absolute favorites to recommend. These concrete finish products are from the SkimStone brand. If you haven’t used anything from the SkimStone brand, then you’ll find out quickly why it comes so highly recommended by scenic artists once you use one of these products.

For concrete finishes that won’t disappoint, we suggest:

SkimStone Bonding Primer

For around $80, you can check out the Skimstone Decorative Floor Finish (Hybridized Portland Cement). This is a decorative, trowel-applied finish for interior and exterior needs. You can use it for a number of surfaces, including floors, laminate, and ceramic counter tops. With this innovate primer, all you need is a three-coat application to achieve a unique look with that textured appearance you love.

SkimStone Component 2 Colorants

Need concrete finish colorants? SkimStone also offers SkimStone Decorative Floor Finish (Hybridized Portland Cement) colorants to give you what you need to get the job done right. These colorants are available in over 10 different shades and can be used for your interior and exterior needs. They are just as versatile as the SkimStone Bonding Primer, with the ability to be used for a variety of surfaces, including ceramic countertops, laminate, and floor surfaces. Similar to the SkimStone Bonding Primer, simply use three coats for application and watch your surface transform into a quality, attractive design element.

To complete your concrete finish project, don’t forget to also pick up a tub of the SkimStone Component 3 Powder, which comes in either the 7 lb tub or 1.8 lb jar. If you have any questions about these products, feel free to give us a call and we’d be happy to answer them.

The New Year holiday is over, and now it’s time to start tackling your new projects. There’s no better time to check out different airbrush or compressor supplies, especially if you’ve been less than thrilled with your current models. We specialize in airbrushes and compressors that are designed for scenic art and sets, so if you are looking for some inspiration to find a professional brush or compressor that will really deliver, check out our suggestions below.

Iwata Airbrush (Eclipse HP-BCS)

You can’t beat this airbrush when it comes to multi-purpose use. It offers a high-paint flow with precise, high detail. Something we love about this brush is its ability to be diverse. It’s often used for spraying premixes or heavy paints, but it’s also capable of handling moderate to large amounts of paint while delivering precise control at the same time.

Sparmax (AC100 Compressor)

Want a compressor that’s quiet as a mouse? If you’re tired of that noisy compressor, the Sparmax AC100 is worth checking out. It runs quietly, delivers smooth, moisture-free air, and has a maximum pressure of 80 psi. It’s able to deliver such smooth air flow thanks to its “easy disconnect” bleed regulator. For additional convenience, it comes equipped with a pressure gauge and 4 outlet thread adapters, so you can connect to a number of airbrush models.

Paasche Airbrush VL-Set

This is one of our all-time favorite airbrush options to recommend, simply because it’s one of the most versatile. This is a full-blown set, so you get everything you need to tackle your airbrush projects. It offers a wide performance range, capable of providing spray patterns with fine detail and broad coverage with all kinds of fluids: light, medium, or even heavy. It’s available in three different sizes for convenience, including 1, 3, and 5. It also has a tapered socket and is ideal for right-handed or left-handed users.

This week we’re going to recommend some durable Venetian plasters that can hold up well for your next plastering project need. The following plasters are available in quarts or gallons and offer high-quality results that we back up 100%. If you follow our blog, you know by now that we take pride in the products we suggest and we only recommend the best of the best. You can count on the products you find here to meet your project needs and then some!

Briste Group Versiplast

Versiplast is a great, dependable product. It is a versatile texturing plaster that is not only durable, but sandable as well. Another plus is that it’s not prone to shrinking or cracking. You don’t have to worry about chipping or damage when you use this plaster! You can use it to both glaze and paint and there is no need to use a primer. If you are aiming for that charming, Old World look, then Versiplast is the right Venetian plaster for you.

Briste Group Smooth Rock

Another Briste Group Venetian plaster goodie, Smooth Rock is a high-quality plaster that is tintable, made of a white and deep-based formula. If you want a basecoat plaster that can be tinted to your particular formulation, Smooth Rock is ideal for complementing custom colors. You can also use this Venetian plaster with our trowelable, water-resistant topcoats, which are also included in this series of products.

Concretezza

Try Concretezza for a Venetian plaster that is able to replicate the beauty of polished marble. With the ability to create a result with plenty of grace and elegance, this plaster offers efficient production speed, which can be appreciated by any modern contractor. Talk to us today to inquire about pricing or to find out how Concretezza can meet your Venetian plaster needs.

Whatever kind of set you’re building or project you have in mind, you know by now that the scenic paints you use can make a massive difference in the outcome of your project. From the color’s vibrancy and its defense against wear and tear to its application and quality, a good scenic paint will deliver in all of the areas that matter and then some.

Here are some scenic paints we recommend for scenic artists looking for professional, high-quality products with the right price tags:

Modern Masters Theme Paint

This paint is part of a highly specialized line of water-based flat paints. It’s made for exterior and interior use and contains less than 50 grams per liter V.O.C. With variety in mind, Modern Masters Theme Paint can give you all sorts of looks depending on your needs, including rockwork, saturated color, and subtle color. It’s used for a variety of entertainment theme purposes, such as theme park and theatrical sets, restaurants, backdrops, and more. It’s available by the gallon and quart and offers a wide selection of shades.

Rosco Chroma Key and DigiComp

Need excellent paints for film or video? The Rosco Chroma Key line of paints have been designed with the help of video technicians to provide some of the best high luminance values and color saturation for your keying effect needs. You can use these paints straight from the can. The DigiComp paint products we offer provide the best of the best for seamless compositing for film, video, and digital use. You can use these paints on location or in the studio and they’re available in green or blue. With DigiComp paints, you can expect clean separation without the need for post production touch-ups.

A crackle finish brings a whole new design element to your decorative piece, no matter what kind of project you’re working on. Crackle finishing not only adds a hint of charm, but it also adds a touch of sophistication and transforms a piece from dull to interesting. If you want to add character to your decorative project, crackle finish is the way to achieve the look you are going for.

Here are some recommended crackle finish products for your next project:

Decorative Palette Crackle Glaze

Available by the quart or gallon, Decorative Palette Crackle Glaze is a single-step medium product that can be used on interior or exterior surfaces. It doesn’t require a certain size and it can be applied right over your surfaces, including well-sealed and base-painted surfaces. You don’t have to worry about this glaze losing color when pigmented because it cures to clear coating easily. Additionally, we love this glaze because it’s compatible with many different water-based or universal tints. If you need a glaze that won’t change the shade of the tinted color, Decorative Palette Crackle Glaze is a good option.

Decorative Palette Crackle System 1 Size

Also available by the gallon or the quart, Decorative Palette Crackle System is made with tackifying properties. These properties work to leave a permanent tacky finish, which really comes in handy for crackle finish projects. Similar to the Crackle Glaze product by Decorative Palette, the Crackle System product cures to clear coating and works with an array of water-based or universal tints, so you don’t have to worry about it changing colors or the hue of the tinted color. We recommend using Water Varnish (a clear varnish product) if you want to avoid stickiness problems after you apply this crackle finish.

Are you an architect, a designer, or a do-it-yourselfer that has a vision? If so, then you’re probably looking for a product that can help bring that vision to life. Cres-Lite powders are designed to do just that. Available in different textures, colors, and types, there’s a Cres-Lite powder for almost any project.

Crescent Bronze Cres-Lite Fluorescent Powders

With more than 111 pigments and colors total, visionaries can find a Cres-Lite fluorescent powder to match their metallic, fluorescent, phosphorescent, or pearlescent preference. Cres-Lite fluorescent powders range from 4-5 microns, which provide chemical resistance to a wide range of solvents, alcohols, resin systems, and ketones. This ensures that the color you envisioned is the color you receive. They’re also heat-resistant up to 350 degrees.

Cres-Lite, however, does encourage tolerance testing to help prevent potential swelling or bleeding that may occur with prolonged exposure, especially when working with red tones. Also, to achieve the maximum fluorescent results, fluorescent powders should be applied to a white background.

Crescent Bronze Cres-Lite Powders

If fluorescents aren’t really what you had in mind, then the extra-fine, grainless Cres-Lite powder might be more your style. Designed to mix with transparent or clear bases, Cres-Lite powders are offered in a wide range of gold, aluminum, brass, and copper pigments. All Cres-Lite powders are designed to create a super-smooth, high-quality finish.

Star Scenic Mica Powders

Want a sparkly finish but aren’t into the metallic look? Then you’re looking for the Star Scenic mica powders. The titanium dioxide and/or iron oxide coated particles are designed to add shimmer to your varnish, acrylic, paint, shellac, or glaze projects. Star Scenic mica powders can even be flash-gilded onto measured surfaces to create that shimmery look you’re hoping for. Able to withstand firing temperatures of up to 1652 degrees, mica powders can be used for both interior and exterior purposes. You can even mix different micas to create multiple effects.

Anyone who has ever been on the hunt for a high-quality wax for special effects knows that longevity is a key feature to look for in a wax product. Special effect wax provides that special top coat that is needed to protect your project’s surface and to make it shine. The protective function of a good special effect wax is one of its most sought-after qualities, and it should be high on your list of priority features when you’re shopping for a wax product.

Here at Star Scenic, we carry a brand of special effect wax that we’re proud of, and we’re especially confident in its ability to make your surfaces shine while providing superior protection at the same time. If you’ve never tried Liberon’s Wax, we highly suggest you do! We carry a few different variations of Liberon’s, including the following:

Black Bison Wax - 500ML

Black Bison Wax - 5L

Special Effects Wax - 250ml

In general, Liberon’s special effect wax is ideal for furniture items, but it is especially helpful when used as a top coat. For example, it is commonly applied as a top coat on Venetian plaster by decorative artists for a number of different project needs. A nice advantage of Liberon’s special effect wax, aside from the high-quality results it offers, is that it’s very easy to polish. You can trust it to provide a beautiful top coat that can withstand a good amount of wear and tear.

The Liberon products we carry range from just under $30 to just under $200 and are sold by the mL/l for your convenience. If you have questions about Liberon’s wax products or have any other questions, talk to us today!

Looking for gilding products that will bring out the very best in your project? Whether you are new to gilding or are looking to try new products for your project needs, we have a few that we can suggest right here. Our selection of gilding materials are high quality and can give you those topnotch results you’re looking for.

Wunda Size Gilding Adhesive

This gilding adhesive is water based and is synthetic size for gilding. It reaches tack in fifteen minutes and has an open time up to thirty-six hours. Depending on your needs, it can also be thinned with water up to 10%. This is a great adhesive for any gilding project you have in mind.

Nazionale  Schaibin Metal Leaf

If you’re familiar with Tamisé, you’ll be happy to know that Schaibin is its larger flake cousin and is a great product for gilding projects. Now available in clear-topped boxes, it can accentuate your project in a dramatic fashion. Your imitation gold, aluminum, and copper will look stunning with this metal leaf and it’s very easy to gild, too. Carefully selected by decorative painters, this leaf can create a beautiful effect on large areas and will bring a distinct look to any gilded surface.

Nazionale  Imitation Leaf Pack (500 Leaves)

We can’t recommend the Nazionale Imitation Leaf Pack of 500 sheets of professional-grade imitation leaf enough. This high-quality leaf pack measures 5 ½" per square and is only recommended for indoor use. It should also only be used with the proper gilding size or leaf adhesive, so consult with us beforehand to make sure you have everything you need.

If you’re looking for imitation leaf packs and gilding adhesives that will give you flawless, quality results, try any of these gilding products or ask us for other professional recommendations.

SkimStone concrete finish is one concrete finish brand that we love to gush about. It offers a few different products, including a bonding primer, colorants, and powder, each with their own special features and advantages. SkimStone aims to give you excellent results for your concrete finish needs, and the price and quality of the line is fair and affordable for a range of project needs.

Check out some of these SkimStone concrete finish products and what they can do for you:

The Skimstone bonding primer we carry is a decorative floor finish and is an innovative trowel-applied product for floors and laminate, as well as for countertops. It is for both interior and exterior use and can create a special textured appearance to turn your concrete floors and counters into a breathtaking work of art. The powders and colorants also have the same qualities as the bonding primer, and they are Hybridized Portland Cement products that are capable of turning your floors and countertops into decorative displays. With three coats, you will immediately see a difference in the texture and appearance of your concrete.

The bonding primer is available in cans by the quart or gallon, and you can get the powders in tubs or jars of 1.8 pounds or 7 pounds. Additionally, the colorants come in over twelve different shades and are available for only $24.95. The jars of the powders begin at just under $20.00 and you can snag a gallon of the primer for just under $80. The SkimStone products offer easy application and quality results, so no matter what concrete project you’re working on, you can trust them to get the job done right. If you have further questions or would like more recommendations for your concrete finish needs, we’d be happy to help!

No matter what type of project you are working on, you know that a high-quality clear coat that delivers a topnotch result is a must if you want your project piece to shine when you’re finished with it. We know that, too, which is why we thought we’d share a few clear coat product recommendations with you. We suggest using any of the clear coats we carry here at Star Scenic. They’ve all been carefully selected and they’re the best of the best in the industry. However, the following products are some of our favorites and we highly recommend them.

Ronan Acrylic Clear Overcoat

Ronan’s Acrylic Clear Overcoat is a fast drying, acrylic topcoat that is solvent based, and it’s available in low luster or gloss. It’s specially designed with a formula that can provide durable, long-lasting protection to any of your painted surfaces, no matter what you use it for. It’s especially helpful with items such as signs and bulletins, and it can also be used on sculptures, oil color signs, or on any surface that needs weather-resistant protection. With Ronan Acrylic Clear Overcoat, you don’t have to worry about yellowing, cracking, or fading. Speaking of fading, use this overcoat on faded signs and watch it work its magic.

Coronado Aqua Plastic 

If a clear coat product that is designed with the most up-to-date technology in VOC compliance sounds good to you, then the Aqua Plastic Waterborne Acrylic Urethane clear coating might be the best product for your needs. It’s known for its ability to produce impressive hardness upon curing and can provide equally impressive durability for the long term. You can use it on everything from doors, cabinets, and trim, to a number of exterior surfaces.

Talk to us today to find out more about these clear coat products and whether or not they are right for your project needs.