Furniture Painting Masterclass

An overview of techniques and finishes

with ANNIE SLOAN — Artist, colour expert, author and inventor of Chalk Paint. CBE for services to interior design.

Lesson 8 of 22

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There are a huge range of effects and looks that you can create with chalk paint, it’s just a matter of learning different techniques - and knowing a few tricks!

From the Lesson Workbook

An overview of techniques & finishes

There are a huge range of effects and looks that you can create with chalk paint. It's just a matter of learning different techniques - and knowing a few tricks!

Flat and smooth finish

Colours that sit opposite each other on the colour wheel are complementary, meaning they are aesthetically pleasing when paired together. When the paint colours themselves are mixed together, they will create a neutral brown or black colour.

Rustic and weathered look

If you love texture and character, this one's for you. It would suit a country-style room or a more industrial look.

Stencilling

It's a simple technique, but can be incredibly effective and used across a wide range of different surfaces and materials.

Découpage

A method of decorating that involves gluing paper onto a surface, and often includes other paint effects too.

Malachite

A method of decorating that involves gluing paper onto a surface, and often includes other paint effects too.

Wax finishes

  • Every piece you paint will need to be sealed, and while you can do this using varnishes or lacquers, I prefer wax as I love the mellow finish it gives.
  • Clear wax will seal your piece without altering the look, but you can also use white wax, brown and black wax as a decorative technique too.

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Rated 4.7/5 on Trustpilot

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Very good tutorial from a professional garden...

I have subscribed to access all the courses so have watched one on interior design and this one with Butter Wakefield who specialises in small garden design. She ...

Louise Brown

Apr 10, 2026

Time spent well

I love CreateAcademy. I came in for the gardening and floristry courses, but am also watching an interior design one at present. And the photography course is an ...

Wellesley

Apr 1, 2026

What a great investment

What a great investment, I have learned such a lot from the first three courses. My evenings have gone from not being able to find anything that captured my imagi...

sojojo

Mar 30, 2026

I loved this course with Amanda\u2026

I loved this course with Amanda Lindroth! Her approach to decorating is so relaxed and she makes it feel attainable. She explains the reasons behind her decisions...

Elizabeth

Mar 27, 2026

Annie Sloan

Your Instructor

Annie Sloan

Artist, colour expert, author and inventor of Chalk Paint. CBE for services to interior design.

Renowned author, artist and designer, Annie Sloan, is one of the world’s most popular experts in the field of decorative painting. After studying Fine Art at university in the 1970s, Annie went on to write her first book, The Complete Book of Decorative Paint Techniques – which is widely considered to be the industry bible on the subject. Since then, she has published 26 books on paint effects, colour, and interior design, and has transformed the world of furniture painting with the creation of her revolutionary paint, Chalk Paint. Passionate about empowering interior designers and hobbyists to reinvent their living spaces, Annie’s expertise and creative flair has led her to being named one of Britain's most influential female designers.

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