What Is Chalk Paint® and Why Do We Like It So Much? (How to Paint With Chalk Paint®)
We clear up some questions about Chalk Paint® decorative paint, and talk about its benefits and how to apply paint to furniture.
We get daily questions on what Chalk Paint® is, and what it can be used for-- which is a great thing! The more questions the better, and the better that we can help you with your projects. However with so many types and brands of paint out there in the world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed with choices. Besides talking about what Chalk Paint® is and why we recommend it, we'll also talk about why it stands out from imitation paint lines.
When we opened up our shop, we made the commitment to stock reputable, eco-friendly brands that anyone can work with (you heard that right, anyone!). Our stock is curated so to speak, with high-quality yet accessible options, and Chalk Paint® is one of those. Well then, what is it? Chalk Paint® is the brand founded by Annie Sloan in 1990, focusing on painting with one's own style and with a minimal-prep process. Chalk Paint® decorative paint is water-based and comes in 35 GORGEOUS colors in the USA, and Chalk Paint® waxes come in 4 colors/styles. Why is 'chalk' in the name? Well, that speaks to how the paint feels when it first dries in that it's super dry and porous, causing it to absorb its wax seal well.
How cool is it that the Color Cards come with swatches printed with REAL paint? These are very informative and accurate in helping you make your color choices, giving information about the history behind color names too.
Chalk Paint® decorative paint, waxes, lacquer, and other items are:
- low and no-VOC, and absolutely lead free
- non-toxic and eco-friendly
- certified 'Toy Safe' in the UK where the line was invented
- able to create silky smooth, modern finishes
- able to create highly textured finishes (like distressed or 'shabby-chic' looks)
- cleaned up with soap and water off brushes
- applied with a brush or roller (depending on technique)
- able to be sanded
- highly customizable, changeable, and able to be painted over to keep upcyclng
- little or no prep prior to painting- never needing to strip (prep can depend on your surface, and some techniques might require certain kinds of prep)
- able to hide surface flaws
- fixable for any unintended mistakes during the painting and waxing process
- suited for interior and exterior projects
- able to be mixed and layered with plasters, gilding leaf and waxes, crackle serums, and MORE
- suited for furniture, flooring, walls, decor, painted upholstery, stenciling
- applied to wood, metal, veneer, laminate, plaster, stone, brick, concrete, fabric, manufactured finishes (like from Ikea and Pottery Barn), glass, and MORE
Totally transforming a piece of furniture or space is still a process. This paint is not a miracle, but does help you to leave room for your design intuition to come through with playfulness, without having to worry about absolute perfection or "will this even stick to my surface?!". What's hand-painted has character, and can uplift any old piece and space!
Watch our little video demonstrating the absolute basics of applying your favorite color!
Also, there is only one Chalk Paint®. There are many alternate 'chalky-finish' or 'chalk-type' paints on the market, and there are recipes to 'make your own,' however none of these options are the same as Chalk Paint®, and they are usually acrylic or latex with additives. They do not have the same properties. Let's face it- if you're painting with an acrylic or latex, it's still just acrylic or latex (and all that plaster of paris mixing in 'make-your-own' recipes is actually quite toxic to breathe in, yuck!). There is a reason why we carry and use the Annie Sloan brand after trying many styles throughout the years. When we work with it, we are trying to get our look (or your look if we're helping you to customize your project), not just a matte/flat 'chalky' finish.
What we do encourage is that your DIY creative process be about learning new skills while leaving room for your own creativity to come through- and to make connections with others! Happy Painting xo
Our Brush Guide for Your Projects!
Our guide to choosing the best brushes for your projects when at our Shop & Studio!
What's the right brush to choose for your project? We've put together our simple, handy Brush Guide for selecting the best brush when at our Shop and Studio.
Annie Sloan Flat Brushes- Great for minimized brushstrokes when applying Chalk Paint® decorative paint, high-quality synthetic brushes in two different sizes.
Annie Sloan Pure (Natural) Bristle Brushes- Natural hair brushes will always possess slight texture, so you can create both subtle and enhanced texture with this brush that comes in three different sizes. Each hold a lot of paint to extend your brushstrokes when using Chalk Paint® !
Artisan Enhancements® 45mm Topcoat Brush- As a blend of fine natural and synthetic bristles, this brush is intended to minimize brushstrokes when applying liquid topcoats that otherwise might exaggerate the appearance of strokes (like glosses). They also extend brushstrokes well by holding a lot of paint, which also makes them a favorite for applying Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint.
Artisan Enhancements® European Wax Brush- This lightweight wax brush is great for starting, and is versatile due to size and length of handle. Its bristlehead is flexible yet slightly firm for ideal wax application.
Annie Sloan Wax Brushes- These pointed brushes are of the highest quality, allowing you to wax in tight corners and carvings. They come in two different sizes of both bristleheads and handles, so choose the best based on the size of your project and comfort for grip! Made in Italy.
Inside the Toolbox: Using Annie Sloan's Flat Brushes for Smooth Finishes
Why we love using Annie Sloan's Flat Brushes for smooth painted finishes.
Hello in the new year! For our first blog post of 2017, we wanted to jump right in and talk about smooth, sleek painted finishes. These are the quintessential contemporary, modern, and even Mid-century Modern finishes that are not only popular at the moment but timeless. As you know, Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan is versatile for both smooth and rustic techniques. How do we achieve such looks though?
Since Chalk Paint® decorative paint is a bit thicker than other types of paint, achieving specific finishes can come down to the type of brush. Chalk Paint® is already relatively self-leveling (especially once a layer of Soft Wax is applied), so it's not difficult to use your brush for smooth finishes. To minimize the look of brush strokes, use Annie Sloan's Flat Brushes. As high-quality synthetic brushes, they've been made to specifically work well with her paint line. When painting, work the brush from one side to the next of each section of your piece, working 'with the grain.' Each layer of paint should be thin and allowed to dry thoroughly before the next. Adding a tiny bit of water in with your paint can also help spread each stroke nicely, with minimized appearance. Anytime you feel the need to slightly sand, don't hesitate! See our video below:
The Flat brushes come in two sizes, giving greater accessibility for different sized surfaces. The small size is thin and narrow, and perfect for trim and other small spaces. They're easy to clean with soap and water. We always stock both sizes in our brick & mortar shop and online.
*You may have also seen painting techniques where brushstrokes are painted haphazardly, in an almost cross-hatched effect. This is a technique that Annie Sloan displays well, which fools the eye into thinking the surface looks flat and even due to optical confusion. Try your hand with that using the Flat Brushes if you'd like as well!
Happy Painting xo.
*GIVEAWAY!* October 2016
Enter our Giveaway by signing up to our email list.
If you're not already on our email list get on it ASAP, because we're doing a Giveaway for one lucky person on the list!
On Friday October 21st, we'll select our winner- and they'll receive one copy of Flea Market Secrets by Geraldine James. This book is a flea market, thrift hunting, treasure BIBLE, with great tips and ideas for your creative search.
Sign up to our email list to be entered into our Giveaway (we also have links to it through our homepage). In addition to being considered for our Giveaway, signing up to our email list gets you our latest news, events and workshop calendar, promos, and MORE!
So enter away, and if you're already on our email list you're already eligible!
How to Stencil Properly
Stenciling 101 with Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan.
Now you have probably used a stencil at least once in your life and are very familiar with how a stencil works. But what if I told you that using stencils on furniture, floors, and walls had a slightly different technique to it? It does, and is very easy to follow.
One of the main concerns with stenciling on furniture and interior spaces is 'bleeding'- that pesky act of paint seeping underneath the stencil lines and creating the opposite of clearly defined shapes. This can be a big bummer once you lift a stencil up. But I'll teach you how to escape this! The key to cutting bleedthrough under the stencil and to making your stenciled image not look harsh is to use less paint.
You'll Need:
- a stencil brush
- stencil of choice (preferably cut out of Mylar or another durable, thin plastic)
- a sprayable tacky adhesive
- paint
- paper towel
Stencil brushes, as you can see, come in different sizes. However they should always have a dense bunch of bristles that come to a flat, even surface across the top. This will provide even coverage of paint over your stencil.
Now why do we use stencils made of Mylar or similar thin plastic? Because they are durable, easy to clean, and will last years. They are more pricey but they're an investment, well worth it to not have your favorite stencil fall apart after a couple uses. Some of my favorites come from Royal Design Studio.
After you choose your stencil and paint (or paint combinations), spray the tacky adhesive to the back of the stencil. This will keep the stencil in place, super important! Lay the stencil across your flat surface. Dish out a small portion of your paint into a shallow container, you will only be using a tiny bit at a time. Make sure your stencil brush is completely dry, because the 'drybrush' technique is what prevents bleedthrough. Watch my quick video demo of how to properly stipple the paint over the stencil:
- Dip your brush head into the paint so that just the tips carry some paint.
- Offload a bunch into your paper towel by pushing down once or twice into it. This absorbs excess paint and keeps the bristles dry.
- Quickly stipple your paint over a small area of the stencil by rapidly pushing the brush head down flat over the surface.
- Reload paint onto the brush head, offload, and repeat as needed!
- Seal your painted surface with your normal sealant, such as wax, hemp oil, or tung oil.
Pretty simple right? The outcome will look 'powdery.' This is more aesthetically pleasing on furniture since the image is not harshly defined. On floors or walls you may want to apply with a foam roller depending on how much space you need to cover. Whenever using a roller you'll want to wet it a tiny bit so that the paint doesn't completely absorb into the roller (you'll use more paint). Check out our most recent project- to stencil a simple central image onto this set of bamboo serving trays. This is an example of how a stencil can transform and add depth to your home!
*As a closing note, most stencils have a repeat-pattern. This means there are special marks on the Mylar that guide you to overlap your stencil onto the image you just painted that help to keep your pattern straight, accurate, and able to repeat for however large a space you want your stencil to cover.
Happy Stenciling!