Faux Oxidation Technique

I've owned this huge black lantern for several years now.  I thought I loved it but as the years passed, I've grown to just like it.  I couldn't understand why.  I drool over the lanterns on the pages of Restoration Hardware's catalog.  I already own a lantern.  Why do I not love it anymore?

Whew! That's a bad photo, but you get the gist of the flat black look of the lantern here.

Cue the "light bulb over the head" moment...it's too new looking!  Too flat black.  Too meh for me now.  It needed some aging.  Something that said "I've got a history, I've been around for a while."  That's when I began toying with the idea of adding the look of oxidation to the metal.  You know, that powdery white patina that happens to metals that have been outside for a l-o-n-g time.

Use a lot of water and little paint.  Allow paint to run and even puddle on the edge.

This is what I came up with.  It's similar to using a dry brush technique EXCEPT you do not want to use a dry brush.  The brush must be wet, loaded-with-water wet.

I didn't do anything to the lantern to prep it for this but a good wipe with a damp cloth never hurts to remove dust or any oily residues.

I chose a light gray craft paint.  Use a plastic tray or plate to mix your paint and water.  With your brush loaded with water, grab a little gray paint on the brush and slightly mix on the plate.  Next, begin painting the lantern.  If yours has any curved areas, like the top of mine, be sure to paint in the direction of the curve.  It will help the oxidation look more natural.

Top done.  Bottom still flat black.

This may take a couple of coats.  The paint will pool at the bottom edges of the lantern.  That's okay.  If there is too much color pooled at the bottom, simply use your brush to pull some of the paint back up.

The more coats you add, the more "oxidation" look it will have.

I stopped at 2 coats.  I wanted you to be able to tell the original color was black under all that oxidation.

So, here it is all aged and beautiful.  I've not found the perfect spot for it yet.  I'm kind of bored with the vignette inside.  Hmmm...the wheels are turning.  I'm thinking ironstone and wooden utensils would look great in it for the kitchen island!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!

Angie

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