Professional Painted Finishes,
A Guide to the Art and Business of Decorative Painting

By Ina Brosseau Marx, Allen Marx,
and Robert Marx

280 pages

In 1981, co-authors Ina Brosseaux, Allen and Robert Marx published their book,  'Professional Painted Finishes', A Guide to the Art and Business of Decorative Painting'.  It was, at that time, the first book on decorative painting directed to professionals working - or hoping to work - in this field.  It set a high standard for many of the decorative painting books that have followed.  Now, over two decades later, Professional Painted Finishes remains one of the most comprehensive, thorough and useful resources of its kind.

The book is comprehensive and directed to both professionals working---or hoping to work----in this field.  The first part of the book teaches basics about media, health and safety, tools, setting up workspace, and much more.

The second section gives step-by-step instructions in glazing, marbling, and graining.  The final section outlines the business end of decorative painting, from starting a business and finding clients to preparing and revising estimates, writing letters of agreement, and setting a daily billing rate.

The book is a valuable resource for any decorative painter.   Bob, along with his two other studio directors, Carol Kemery and Caroline Waldenberg, have begun to work on the schools second book. We also offer a Companion Video Series that shows all of the techniques contained in the book.

Book pricing: Finishing School Student Price - $30.00

List Price - $45.00

Video pricing: Finishing School Student Price - $20.00

List Price - $30.00

E-mail Us for Ordering Information

About the Authors

Ina Brosseau Marx and Allen Marx were the founders of The Finishing School.  They are also conservators of painted, gilded, oriental lacquer and verre eglomise objects, and their work is in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Yale University's Garvan Collection, the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, the New York Historical Society, and prominent private collectors.  The Marx's have lectured and conducted demonstrations for the National Decorating Products Association, the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America, The National Trust for Historical Preservation, the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, the Smithsonian Institution, and many others.

Robert Marx, a successful decorative painter, began working with his parents, Ina and Allen, in restoration commissions in 1981.  He joined The Finishing School in 1986.  Bob continues the legacy of success started by his parents.  The Finishing School has grown to three locations and continues to teach students to approach decorative painting with confidence.  Bob has instilled a philosophy at the school that stresses the practice of high standards of discrimination and craftsmanship.  He is proud of the accomplishments of the school and the more than 8,000 students from all over the world who have come to learn their craft at the Finishing School.

Back

The Video Companion Series To Professional Painted Finishes

Contains all of the techniques from Professional Painted Finishes: A Guide to the Art and Business of Decorative Painting.