Q: What is Faux Finishing?
A: The word "Faux" means fake. In the world of Faux Finishing, our job is to simulate real raw materials such as wood, stone, and marble using different paints, textures, colors and techniques. It encompasses so much more as you will learn, when you visit IF WALLS COULD TALK FAUX AND DECORATIVE PAINTING SCHOOL.

Q: What is decorative painting?
A: Decorative painting, like faux, is a simulation in some instances. Most people think "FAUX" is color washing or glazing. This is partly true. A "glaze" look is really simulating the old world texture of Marmorino, an italian plaster that has marble, lime and a sand agrigate and is applied with a trowel, and then burnished. GLAZING is a popular choice for walls since it is more exciting than just straight paint, but is subtle enough to create an ambiance. GLAZING is just the tip of the iceberg in Faux and decorative painting.

Q: Can anyone learn how to faux paint?
A: ABSOLUTELY! At If Walls Could Talk, we will teach you all that you need to know to create gorgeous finishes for your own home or enhance your portfolio if you are already a faux finisher. We are also dedicated to training our students in old world techniques as well as trendy hot contemporary designs. ANYONE can learn how to create beauty with faux!

Q: I have taken classes at other schools and when I got there, I realized they were having classes to sell a product line. Do you teach with only one product line?
A: NO. We are in business to first educate the public about faux and decorative painting and we use several different products that can be combined to create a multitude of looks. We use professional faux finishing products, metallics, and we also use several products that can be purchased at your local home improvement stores, in conjuction with PROFESSIONAL FAUX FINISHING PRODUCTS made exclusively for the trade. We are about preserving the techniques used by THE MASTERS and we have done lots of research to bring the BEST to our students. We offer MORE than those schools using only one brand of products.

Q: What should I look for when considering attending class at a faux finishing school?

A: 1- Is the instructor a decorative artist that has and continues to work in the field of faux, or just some person who has read a lot of books? Ask to see several pictures of their work- NOT just samples.

2- Is the classroom and/or showroom athestically pleasing? If the school doesn't look good, it can speak volumes about the instructor and staff. It should have a showroom, and a classroom. The classroom should look like a working studio, with vertical easels for maximum application.

3- Is the school there to promote the art of faux, or the product line of the school?
THIS IS IMPORTANT- The right classes will be able to teach you with several products (eg. Adicolor, Perfetto, Modern Masters, Desire, Poly Shades, Benjamin Moore, etc.)NOT just one product line, where you must use every piece of the system to get the end result (eg. Faux Effects.)

4- Does the website of the school offer many visual samples of what to expect from the class?
Many schools exist, but their websites are filled with text, NOT visual examples of the work they do. DON'T BE FOOLED BY ADVERTISING MUMBO JUMBO- ask to see examples of REAL work the school has done.

5- When calling about classes, information, etc. Is the person knowledgeable about the industry, and do they have the knowledge to train YOU as effectively as possible?
Sometimes, when calling schools, you will speak to someone who has never been trained in Faux, or has never been "in the field". Is the person even a finisher, or a secretary or staff person?

Q: What should I expect when I attend a class at IF WALLS COULD TALK Decorative Art Studio?

A: You should expect to learn about several different GLAZE applications, CRACKLES, TEXTURES, VENETIAN PLASTER, MARMORINO, STENCILING AND EASY TROMPE 'L OEIL, BASECOATS, PREP, PRODUCTIVITY, HOW TO PROFIT WITH FAUX, DECORATIVE ART, METALLICS, SYNTHETIC AND TRUE LIME PLASTERS, COLORING SYSTEMS AND THEORY, etc. You should leave a week long class with AT LEAST 20 samples, without having to spend EXTRA long hours at the school. The class is well outlined and organized, the environment is that of a high end learning environment, with lots of technical information, and there is tons of hands on training. The follow up advice and customer service is also outstanding, and every student is expected to ask many questions. We know faux at IWCT, and we share our knowledge with YOU!