Tess’ tool kit Part 3 - Prepping, painting and finishing
with TESS NEWALL
Lesson 6 of 32
Already a member? Sign in
It’s incredibly important to prepare the surface of your walls and furniture before you begin painting them to get the best results. Tess explains what you need to use to do this, as well as the types of paint she recommends to use in your own projects.
From the Lesson Workbook
Tess' Tool Kit: Part 3 - Prepping, Painting and Finishing
It's incredibly important to prepare the surface of your walls and furniture before you begin painting them to get the best results.
Sandpaper and sanding block
Ideally, you want a combination of a rougher grit paper such as 180 with one that is a smoother grit like 240.
Sugar soap
Will remove any built-up dirt and grime, I like to use this one.
Paint
Generally speaking, use emulsion paint on walls and eggshell paint on furniture. I would recommend buying the large swatch decks from different paint companies so you can see the different colours on offer.
I particularly like:
- Edward Bulmer Natural Paint
- Farrow & Ball
- Little Greene
- Benjamin Moore Paint sell sample pots of eggshell paint
- water-based acrylic paints
Primer
I swear by the Zinsser 123 - it's the best primer I've come across.
Transparent glaze
Scumble is highly recommended, and was also used a lot in traditional decorative painting - now available as a water-based product. As well as forming a stain-resistant surface, it also increases the drying time of your paint to give you a longer time to work with it.
Decorators varnish
The Dead flat finish is completely invisible, whereas the Satin clear finish is more glossy and slightly more durable.
Colourants
These can be added to the varnishes to alter the colour of the paint beneath. I like the Raw Umber and Burnt Sienna shades, as they help to mute the brighter tones for a more antique feel.
Paint kettle
To mix large quantities of paint - any clean bucket will do.
Sourcebook
Powered pigments from L. Cornelissen & Son in London, or Magasin Sennelier in Paris.
UK paint and primer stockists
- B&Q
- Brewers
- Homebase
- Johnstone's Decorating Centre
- Benjamin Moore Paint sell sample pots of eggshell (woodwork) paint
Get the full workbook, video lessons, and more with a Create Academy subscription.
Subscribe to access the full workbook
Your Instructor
Tess Newall
Acclaimed artist and set designer specialising in hand painted homewares and decorative painting.
Tess Newall is a decorative artist based in Sussex, specialising in hand-painted bespoke murals and furniture. Following a decade of experience as a set designer and painter in the film industry, Tess has mastered how to bring a creative vision to life. She often draws on historic patterns and aims to capture an artisanal feel, where textures and brushstrokes add to the atmosphere of a room or to the character of a furniture piece. Tess and her studio team work with interior designers and private clients on bespoke commissions for both commercial and residential projects, as well as collaborating on homewares collections with brands including Liberty and Matilda Goad.
.jpg)
Access to all courses