Debbie's Paint Projects > Projects > Fantasy Marble Dado

Tools and Materials Needed

• White, gray, yellow beige, and brown beige latex paint, satin
• Low-tack painter's tape
• Pencil and ruler
• Spirit level
• Water-based glazing liquid
• Mixing containers
• 1" foam brush
• badger hair or soft bristle brush
• cardboard
• Xacto knife
• Spray adhesive
• artist's brush

Getting Started

Recipe for coloured glaze: 1 part latex paint, 3 parts water-based glazing liquid.



1. Tape off the area that is going to be the dado, approximately 3' high, and apply two coats of white basecoat. Let dry for 4 hours.
2. Draw out and tape off the dado in approximately 3'x5' panels. Mix the gray and two beige glazes.
3. Dip the foam brush into the gray glaze. Using the tip of the brush, paint in diagonal veins. They should move in the same direction, break off and start up again further along the panel.
4. Apply the darker beige glaze in areas around the grey veins.
5. Fill in any openings in the panel with the lighter beige glaze.
6. With the softening brush held at right angles to the surface, soften and blend any harsh lines. Let dry completely.
7. Cut out a cardboard template that represents the inset panels for the center of each large panel. Spray adhesive onto the back of the template and press it into position. Using an artist's brush and the gray paint (without glazing liquid), draw in lines around inset panels.
8. Remove the template and use a ruler and artist's brush to draw the outer lines.

Topics covered by this article include: Painting...