Debra:
I’m having a problem with the faux brick shadowing.
I’ve watched the video numerous times and understand.
However, I don’t have textured walls and either I’m not using
enough water and it turns out dark all the way around or I
use too much and it dribbles.What brush do you use and how wet does the
brush have to be? Also, in the video, was the grout still wet when you
did the shadowing?Thanks.
Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Shadowing can be frustrating when your first learning. Once you learn the trick it will seem so easy… honest.
I use a natural bristle brush. It’s made with animal hair – not synthetic. Usually these are sold in the “artist” section of a craft store.
Wet the brush. Then blot it well on a towel.
then put just a tiny bit of the black on the tip end of the brush and this should create a good bleed out of the black to clear to make good shadows.
Hope this was helpful… let me know if you need more help.
debra
Another Questions About Creating Shadows To Make Your Faux Bricks Look Realistic
I ordered the painting faux bricks book and video a few weeks ago. I am painting a wall of bricks and am at the place where I need to put the shadow on the bricks.
My black “shadow” seems too dark, it doesn’t really fade out like it does in the video. (My walls are textured, but not heavily, so some spots they’re much more flat than others.) I’m using a bristle brush, pretty wet, then just tipped into the black paint. It is not being very easy to do and I’m afraid is going to look really bad… Any suggestions or tips to get that shadow to glide on like the video shows?
I admit… shadowing takes a bit of practice. It’s not hard – and with practice it comes naturally. That said – I know you want answers – And I have a suggestion for you:
The black seems harsh – it’s tempting to try and use gray instead. Don’t – gray will not have the impact. You need the black to make the bricks “pop” off the surface visually.
You have the right brush – because you used the included shopping list that I provided and wouldn’t “Think” of using something else to try and replicate the process. 
And – because I can’t stand next to you and “show you the process” – you have to rely on the video where I show the exact technique.
Want to know the easy answer? I can visualize the problem (because I’ve done this so often)… and learned from my mistakes.
If you are having problems with the shadow fading out – from a black hard edge on one side – clear on the other side… you are still using too much paint.
In the video I show you how to “tip” the bristles of the brush. When I say “Tip” – I mean just a tiny (teeny-tiny) bit of paint right on the very tip of the bristles.
The thing with paint (especially black paint) is that a little goes a long way when you are working with the “details”. You can ALWAYS add more layers to the shadows… it’s much harder to remove a shadow that is too dark.
I “think” that you are using the right technique from you discription of the problem… you just need to lighten up on the paint.
I hope this helps….
Thanks for asking the great question… and remember to send me pictures of your new “Faux Brick” wall.
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