Ceruse effect on wood

Keywords :

Lead wood

Painting on wood to give a patina to furniture

The ceruse effect brings out the grain of the wood.

The grain of the wood is hollowed out and then filled with a clear wax, sometimes white. The grain is therefore highlighted in contrast with the dark background of the wood. It is a great way to refresh and extend the life of an old piece of furniture.

Ideal for hard woods, especially dark coloured or oak, the ceruse technique should not be used on veneered wood.

Supplies

Tools

1 stamp made of fine steel wool
1 ceruse brush
1 soft cloth

Materials

Shop-bought wax or ceruse paste

Directions

Ceruse effect technique

Clean and sand the piece of furniture to remove any previous finishes (such as varnish or wax) which might block the woodgrain.
Use the brush to open up the pores of the wood.
Dust it well.
Cover the stamp with the wax or paste.
Press the wax into the fibres, working in the direction of the grain.
Leave to dry.
Polish with the cloth if necessary.

Tips

Only use a brush designed for ceruse that has been made out of fine strands of brass, and always work in the direction of the wood grain so as not to scratch the wood.
You can also use the ceruse effect on painted furniture, or use a coloured ceruse paste.
If you add a small amount of titanium white to the wax or paste, the effect will stay quite transparent and leave the grain visible. If you add more white, the effect will become more matt and opaque.