Technique craquelure: we create the effect of antiquity with our own hands

Among the designers of all generations, antiques are especially valuable elements of decoration. It is clear that not everyone can afford to buy such valuables. Therefore, modern technologies suggest to go to the trick and create old things from ... new ones! How? Very simple! With the help of the Craquelure technique, you can easily make yourself any element of the interior.

This decoration takes its name from the French word "Craquelure", which means cracks on the layers of paint or varnish on the works of ancient artists. As a rule, the effect of craquelure manifests itself over time and refers more to painting. And it is curious that the appearance of "cobwebs of antiquity" does not bode well for pictures, canvases deteriorate and can crumble at all. Therefore, masters from olden times tried to avoid the cracking of paint, creating new compositions in order to prolong the life of their creations.

But in the decorative skill craquelure was widely used. With this technique of processing items, the owners of apartments have the opportunity to bring in their interior the "breath of antiquity", to give things a riddle of mystery and mystery, or simply to muffle bright colors.

Objects with the effect of antiquity perfectly fit into the classic and traditional styles of decoration of premises. Also organically they look and in the country-interior. The usual stools or the peeling grandmother's chest can turn into antique things and acquire an individual charm, if you decorate them with the help of the craquelure technique with your own hands. It is clear that artificial "spiders" on the surface of objects are significantly different from those that were obtained naturally. However, aging in the technique of craquelure own hands is gaining increasing popularity.

Today, there are many kinds of special means for creating the effect of antiquity, so it is not necessary to acquire the required composition of labor. In addition to paints and varnishes, you will need the item itself, which you plan to decorate, a water-based paint, a roller for painting and several brushes - nylon or polyurethane.

Craquelure two-step: the stages of work

What is needed to turn a nondescript object into an exquisite antique masterpiece? The principle of the decoration technique is extremely simple. The fact is that the varnish is applied in layers one on top of the other. Due to the different drying speed, the upper layer cracks, thus creating the desired effect.

To begin with, the surface of the object should be carefully cleaned and primed. It is applied to the lower layer of paint, ie, this color will be future cracks. After the paint has completely dried, you need to apply varnish with the effect of craquelure. In order for this composition to be applied evenly, use a roller or a wide brush. Now the varnish should be slightly dry, but not completely dry - this is important!

For the next step, you need to apply a second coat of paint, which is also done with a roller or brush, - in this layer will soon be formed cracks. If you have done everything right, in a few minutes you will be able to see the appearance of "cobwebs" on the surface of the object. And the final stage of creating an aged object using the technique of craquelure with their own hands - coating it with a layer of protective varnish. This should be done only after the product has dried completely.