Graining is the art of simulating wood using paint. All varietys of wood can be represented, some easier than others, and applied to any surface that can be painted. Combined with trompe l'oeil techniques can be used to create effects such as faux panelled rooms. This technique was used by the ancient Egyptians, and also it was used extensivley in the eighteenth and nineteenth centurys. All the following examples are painted by us, for our clients.
An example of rustic oak graining on the back of a 1720 front door.
Satinwood
Old walnut grained simple 1720 door with oil gilded beading. The detail on the left shows original brass rim lock.
Weathered oak garden door painted onto a flat panell door. Oak trompe l'oeil planks, rusty iron nails and a rusty iron handle.
Old mahogany grained six panell door with feathered heart grain on the panells.
Trompe l'oeil bamboo painted onto half round moulding.
Examples taken from a scheme, in which medium density fibreboard dado panelling, radiater casing and door were walnut grained. It would have been expensive and difficult to have done it in real walnut.
panel from a door, showing quartered grain on the right side.
Restored 1860 oak graining from a library in North Yorkshire. All the shelving, doors, architraves, windows and shutters were grained