Monday, July 4, 2011

Stone Effect

Here is the other GESSO technique I said I would share. You can get a very nice stone like effect using white and black gesso. These two plaster pieces were a perfect candidate for this treatment.




The original color was nice, but they had multiple chips.


After filling in the chips with plaster, I sanded them smooth and applied about four layers of white gesso.


Nice, but not the weathered look I was going for. So, I  watered down some black gesso.


Drenched them in it.


The artist in me actually thought they looked kinda cool like this.....Hmmmm, maybe a future redesign.

I dabbed them  with a dry towel.


They looked nice this way.





However, I added another touch by highlighting the details with a soft blue.




If you prefer a smoother look, you could sand a little more at this point.

I finished them off with a clear wax.




You can get a similar effect with white and black paint, but I like the grainy quality gesso adds.

Sharing With:
Thrifty Decor Chick: Before and After
Under The Table and Dreaming: Sunday Showcase
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday
At The Picket Fence: Inspiration Friday
My Repurposed Life: Catch As Catch Can
The Shabby Chic Cottage: Transformation Thursday
Beyond The Picket Fence: Under $100 Linky Party
No Minimalist Here: Open House
House of Grace: Twice Owned Tuesday
Elements Interiors: Whassup Party
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesdays
DIY By Design: Sizzle Into Summer
Between Naps On The Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Sassy Sites: Trash To Treasure Tuesday
Debbiedoos Blogging and Blabbing: Newbie Party
Homemaker On A Dime: Creative Bloggers
Hope Studios: Tutorial Tuesday
Charm Bracelet Diva: Tuesdays Club GW
Passionately Artistic
Homework: The Inspiration Board
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56 comments:

  1. Lauren @ My Wonderfully MadeJuly 4, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    This is GREAT! I actually like the 'dripping' effect before you blotted them with the towel -- of course the finished product is fantastic and the added blue color really made these special! I can't believe the 'before' pic . . . impressive as always!

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  2. Cheryl ~ ZanyMaydJuly 4, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    F A B U L O U S ~ Love the way they turned out, the bit of highlights really sets them off & I love the coat of wax! Thanks as always for Sharing.
    Cheryl

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  3. KarenJuly 4, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    That is a gorgeous finish. I really like the added touch the blue paint gives it. I love this look and now I'm officially addicted to gesso LOL. Thanks so much for sharing these great tips Rosemary you're a doll!

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  4. Katie @ Wildwood CreekJuly 4, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    Beautiful finish. Love the tips for different ways to use gesso.

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  5. TeriJuly 4, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    That worked really good, thanks for sharing it!

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  6. Honey at 2805July 4, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    Another great technique. I liked it at every stage! You had mentioned black gesso in one of your posts & I had thought about mixing the two and am so glad you showed the best method!

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  7. outjunkingJuly 4, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    I love these. Now where are you buying gesso? I must have been sleeping, I didn't know you could buy it. I like that look a lot. I have a lot to try it on.
    Lisa

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  8. Tania MaraJuly 4, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    OLÁ ROSEMARY. MEU NOME É TANIA. AMO GESSO. AMEI TER ENCONTRADO SEU BLOG.TE ESPERO EM MEU BLOG. ABRAÇOS

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  9. Ricki TreleavenJuly 4, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    Wow, I can't get over the difference...they look fantastic! :D

    xoxoxoxo,
    Ricki Jill

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  10. The Sterling CherubJuly 4, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    There you go again, Rosemary, blowing my socks off! You are such a talented artist!

    These pieces look *AMAZING* after their makeover. I love the fact that they look like unearthed relics from another time (I studied archaeology at college, so I really appreciate that look!). Are they purely decorative, or do the tops comes off for storage?

    Best,

    Kimberly

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  11. SusanJuly 4, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    Very NICE!!

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  12. Heaven's WalkJuly 4, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    Beautiful transformation, Rosemary! They truly look like vintage stone pieces! Thanks for the great tutorial. I'm saving this one for a future project - and will never look at plain old plaster the same way again! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  13. Decor To AdoreJuly 4, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    What a fabulous makeover! Well done!

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  14. Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee)July 4, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    Beautiful transformation! I love all your projects! They are gorgeous. All these steps are nice.I'll never look at plain old plater the same way again! Thanks for sharing:)
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  15. Kara @ June & BearJuly 5, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    I've never used gesso. What a beautiful transformation.

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  16. savvycityfarmerJuly 5, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    I've had some gesso on my workbench for a couple of months ...(just loved the container so I bought some, hahaha)

    it's going to get a workout today!!!

    I've added moss-y green watered down paint, too
    to create an old mossed, lichen effect!

    you lead the pack honey!

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  17. Jan@southernjunkin'July 5, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    This looks great! Thanks for sharing! I'm not using gesso but now I can't wait to try it! I'm one of your newest followers!
    Blessings!!

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  18. MarieJuly 5, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    WOW! Cool technique...thanks for sharing it with us. I will definitely try that one of these days.
    -Marie

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  19. Ivy and ElephantsJuly 5, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    Rosemary, you are a genius! love all you do. Just wanted to thank you for supporting our little blog. You're an inspiration!
    Patti

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  20. lvroftiquesJuly 5, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Rosemary (The gesso Queen *winks*) I'm all over this!! Love love love them!! Vanna

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  21. Thoughtfully Blended HeartsJuly 5, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    I'm so glad you reminded me about gesso...I used to use it all the time and haven't thought about it in a long time. You're right it's a wonderful medium!!! These are wonderful!!!
    Have a beautiful week!!!

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  22. SueJuly 5, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    I love every post where you've shown us your transformations with gesso! These are so pretty- what a change from the original finish. :-)

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  23. .July 5, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    They look wonderful!!! I just bought some gesso a couple weeks ago to try. This inspires me to use it. :)

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  24. a quiet lifeJuly 5, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    looks wonderful~

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  25. Our Hopeful HomeJuly 5, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    Unbelievable, Rosemary! These look like they were MEANT to look! What a fantastic transformation....thanks so much for linking up over at my Tuesday Club G.W. with Charm Bracelet Diva. Keep this up and I'll have to feature you EVERY week lol!

    xoxo
    Kathleen

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  26. Korrie@RedHenHomeJuly 5, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    This is an amazing technique! I find it hard to believe they are the same pieces!

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  27. PAINTORDIG.blogspot.comJuly 6, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    Fabulous! They look so much better and you really did hide all the chips.

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  28. The Summer Kitchen GirlsJuly 6, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    oooohhhhh ahhhhhhh
    (better than fireworks!!)
    Love the black...and yes, it was pretty cool looking prior to blotting with the cloth! You are simply amazing Rosemary! Love all of the stuff in your booth pics below - swooooon! It is probably a good thing that you don't live closer :)

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  29. Kathy @ Creative Home ExpressionsJuly 6, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    What great pieces, Rosemary! They look great this way and really do look like stone! Good vision because I would probably have passed them up in their before state.

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  30. Lina - Fancy Frugal LifeJuly 6, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    These turned out so beautiful! What a cool project!

    Lina
    Fancy Frugal Life

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  31. MarianneJuly 6, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    These look great. I love the technique you used....Gesso... and all of the dripping paint. I really can't believe what they looked like before.
    Marianne :)

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  32. Town and Country GalsJuly 6, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    Rosemary,
    What a great transformation! They turned out fabulous! A real improvement! I've never tried it but will put it on my to do list!
    I have enjoyed looking thru your blog and will be back to visit often! Thanks for visiting!
    Rebecca

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  33. AnonymousJuly 6, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    You are so talented, the transformation is incredible, thanks for sharing!
    -Jessica & Holly
    Etsy.com/shop/chezjolly
    <3

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  34. Debra@CommonGroundJuly 6, 2011 at 4:28 PM

    These are wonderful, Rosemary! and thanks for the encouragement, my tables are looking great!!
    xoxo Debra

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  35. Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️July 6, 2011 at 5:02 PM

    Amazing! I can't get over the difference.

    Dee

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  36. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereJuly 6, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    Rosemary, What beautiful urns and I love the technique. I will never look at chipped plaster pieces the same again now that I know they can be made this beautiful. Thanks for joining my party this week.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  37. JazzJuly 6, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    WOW! That's awesome, what a transformation! ;0)

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  38. Ivy and ElephantsJuly 6, 2011 at 10:10 PM

    Hey Rosemary,
    Saw you over on the chippy shabby blog, looking crafty. (LOL) Just wanted to say hello, wish I were there to hang with you guys.
    Patti

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  39. TheresaJuly 6, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    Your urns are amazing:) You did a really good job.

    Theresa

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  40. VeronicaJuly 7, 2011 at 3:01 AM

    Wow you have been a buzy bee! This is the second gorgeous thing of yours I 'm finding in a few minutes. I am new to blogging so need to figure out how to save all these great tuts! I am your newest followers. So glad to fing your gorgeous blog

    Veronica
    www.tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com

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  41. Poppy @ With a Dash of ColorJuly 7, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    I had to go back and look at the "before" picture to really absorb how gorgeous it turned out... absolutely amazing and I love how you added the hint of blue at the end.. beautiful work! Thanks for sharing!~Poppy

    http://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

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  42. At The Picket FenceJuly 7, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    Oh my goodness Rosemary! You are so creative and those look incredible! I'm in awe of how much they look like the real deal and we are so thrilled you shared this with us at Inspiration Friday. :-)
    Vanessa

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  43. IdoJuly 8, 2011 at 2:01 PM

    Awesome technique! I have the perfect piece to try it!
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    XXX Ido

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  44. Alison @ The PolohouseJuly 8, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    These turned out FANtastic!
    I am so excited to learn about using Gesso and had no idea it came in anything but white!

    This is so awesome.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Your newest follower!
    Alison

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  45. SJ @ Homemaker On A DimeJuly 8, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Really awesome post! Thanks for linking it up at the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop :)

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  46. Kameel huise tussen sporeJuly 9, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    What a wonderful inspiration for my drab pots.

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  47. Kameel huise tussen sporeJuly 9, 2011 at 8:13 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  48. KimMalkJuly 10, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    They certainly look like concrete. I like how you can fill in the chips.

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  49. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleJuly 11, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    Those look really good. Thanks for sharing at WUW.

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  50. Fishtail CottageJuly 11, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    Amazing! love how these turned out for you! xoox, tracie

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  51. CarolynJuly 13, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    Beautiful. I'm happy to know what Gesso is now. If you have a moment, I would love for you to share this project on my Inspiration Board.
    http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2011/07/inspiration-board-link-party_12.html
    Thanks for the inspiration.
    carolyn | homework

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  52. PaperVineJuly 14, 2011 at 3:48 AM

    WOW - these look amazing. Real works of art - thanks for sharing :-)

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  53. Lisa Sall - Sall's Country LifeJuly 14, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    Wow, I'm loving your art! I have several pieces including plaster figurines I've been meaning to repaint but have been dragging my feet! You've given me the tips and inspiration I need to get painting! And you answered my question on why the gesso and not just paint. The grainy effect would add more to the piece! Thanks so much for sharing,love your blog!

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  54. gail@My Repurposed LifeJuly 14, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    whoa! huge transformation! I love the new look.
    gail

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  55. GailJuly 15, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    I really thought they were stone until I read your tutorial.

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  56. Barbara JeanAugust 3, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    wonderful!!
    I too liked the 'dribbly' look toward the beginning of project, but finished nice too. =)

    blessings
    barbara jean

    PS never knew there was such a thing as black gesso!

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