Remember the little blogging break I took at the beginning of the year? I told you then that during that time I would be catching up on a lot of things around home, redesigning my blog, and taking a much needed time of rest.
A big part of resting for me is being creative. Something about escaping from the normal routine into a my own little world of creativity is so refreshing. So during my break I began the FARRAGOZ Online Furniture Painting Course, an amazing course that teaches old world furniture painting techniques with paints and finishes that you create yourself from all natural materials.
It teaches the “art of patina” seen on pieces like this . . .
. . . or this.
Amazing aren’t they? I want to learn this! I want to be able to take that old unwanted piece of furniture that I find while out thrifting and transform it into something that looks like it has years of rich history behind it.
Already in this course, I’ve learned so many techniques that I’m looking forward to applying to furniture painting. The course starts you off with five smaller projects that walk you through all of the methods taught.
In Module 1 I CREATED THIS! Can you believe it? I was surprised by how well it turned out and with how easy it was to learn.
I was also impressed by the great support Farragoz offers along the way. Step-by-step, I was able to upload photos of my progress to a shared online workspace and receive back prompt replies encouraging me or answering questions.
The picture above is the original icon that I had to work from. Mine didn’t turn out exactly the same but Farragoz really encourages that because they want you to make your project your very own.
This is a replica of a painting of the Archangel Michael in the Byzantine style.
In the first module I learned how to make wood stain and oil paint . . .
. . . as well as cassein gesso, all from recipes that have been used for ages.
The instructions are thorough and include a video tutorial to help you along the way.
Finishing it up was fun with some brand new (to me) methods of distressing and then sealing it all with polish. I felt rather fortunate that my board developed a crack right down the middle, adding to the aged appearance. Not everyone would understand how I could love a crack down the middle of my artwork but Tania, my Farragoz instructor, was excited right along with me!
I’m working on module 2 now. Would you like a sneak peek? Okay . . .
I am loving this project and I wish I could show it to you right now . . . but it’s not quite finished so you’ll just have to stay tuned for the end result.
There are five modules in the course (all listed on the Farragoz button on my sidebar) so I have a lot more fun and relaxation to look forward to. I’ve already been looking around my house to see if there are any furniture pieces that I might want to recreate. Instead of Old Things New I might be making something that is fairly new look old!
Do you enjoy being creative? How do you like to find your “time of rest”? Vacation? Reading? Being with friends? I’d love to hear!
By the way, If you’d like to see more pictures of furniture that inspires me please visit my Pinterest Furniture Painting Ideas page HERE.
Blessings,
VMG206, TuesdaysAtOurHome,
