CDA Faux Finishing & Special Effects Techniques 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which faux finishing technique involves applying a glaze and then removing portions of it with a bunched cloth to reveal the base coat?
- Color washing
- Ragging off (Correct answer)
- Sponging on
- Stippling
Correct answer: Ragging off
Ragging off is a subtractive technique where wet glaze is lifted from the surface using a bunched rag, exposing the base coat beneath.
Question 2: When creating a venetian plaster finish, which tool is most commonly used to apply and burnish the plaster to achieve a polished marble-like sheen?
- Natural sea sponge
- Wide flat steel trowel (Correct answer)
- Chip brush
- Badger hair softener
Correct answer: Wide flat steel trowel
A wide flat steel trowel is used to apply venetian plaster in thin layers and burnish it under pressure to create the characteristic high-gloss, marble-like finish.
Question 3: A decorative artist wants to simulate the look of aged limestone on a wall. Which base coat sheen level is most appropriate before applying the faux glaze layers?
- High gloss
- Flat/matte
- Eggshell or satin (Correct answer)
- Semi-gloss
Correct answer: Eggshell or satin
Eggshell or satin sheens provide a slight tooth for glaze adhesion while still allowing smooth blending, making them ideal for most faux stone finishes.
Question 4: In faux finishing, what is 'open time' referring to?
- The scheduled client meeting window
- The time a glaze remains workable before drying (Correct answer)
- The drying period between coats
- The window of time for ordering materials
Correct answer: The time a glaze remains workable before drying
Open time is the period during which a glaze or paint remains wet and workable, allowing the artist to manipulate it to achieve the desired decorative effect.
Question 5: Which medium is typically added to latex paint to create a decorative glaze with extended open time?
- Mineral spirits
- Floetrol or a glazing liquid (Correct answer)
- Linseed oil
- Denatured alcohol
Correct answer: Floetrol or a glazing liquid
Floetrol or purpose-made glazing liquids slow the drying of latex paint, extending its open time and improving flow and transparency for faux techniques.
Question 6: What faux technique creates a soft, cloudy appearance by applying paint with a sea sponge in overlapping, irregular dabs?
- Color blocking
- Sponge painting (Correct answer)
- Combing
- Marbleizing
Correct answer: Sponge painting
Sponge painting uses the irregular texture of a natural sea sponge to apply paint in overlapping dabs, creating a soft, mottled, cloudy effect on the surface.
Question 7: When executing a dragged or 'dragging' finish, what determines the width and spacing of the linear striations in the glaze?
- The angle of the light source
- The type of brush or comb used (Correct answer)
- The color of the base coat
- The brand of glazing medium
Correct answer: The type of brush or comb used
The type, width, and stiffness of the brush or comb dragged through the glaze directly determines the width, spacing, and character of the linear striations.
CDA Faux Finishing & Special Effects Techniques 1
Which faux finishing technique involves applying a glaze and then removing portions of it with a bunched cloth to reveal the base coat?