Signature Courses


Designer Wall Finishes™ (For Sample Images | Click Here)
This class w ill expand your horizons and change your business.  It is the foundation of our curriculum, combining our twenty-five years of teaching experience with the revolutionary water-based system developed by Faux Effects, International, Inc.  Students learn the technical and aesthetic aspects of developing exceptional classic and contemporary finishes such as blended and embedded glazes, layered aged plaster, polished plaster, dimensional stone, and metallics glazes and textures.  Topics covered include surface preparation, color mixing, customizing glaze formulas, trowel technique, layering for depth, and introduction to pricing. Instructor: Robert Marx
Course fee: $1,695 ($500 deposit)……………………………………………………. 5 day class


Advanced Textures (For Sample Images | Click Here)
Advanced Textures builds upon techniques learned in Designer Wall Finishes I. It allows students to explore an advanced level of finishes utilizing inter-layered textures and multi-layered techniques. These sophisticated finishes will enhance any portfolio by using materials such as Fresco, Quartzstone, Plaster Tex and Faux Color.
Course Fee - $995 ($300 deposit) ……………………………………………………. 3days.


Venetian Gem (For Sample Images | Click Here)
Our Designer Wall Finishes II ™ class has been broken up into two parts, Advanced Textures and Venetian Gem. Venetian Gem details methods of Venetian plastering using a marble based plaster developed to easily produce high quality, multi-sheen, colored plaster finishes. Venetian Gem produces finishes of warmth, elegance and excitement similar to other troweled plaster methods. Instructor: Robert Marx
Course Fee - $695 ($200 deposit) ……………………………………………………. 2 days.



"For Today's Professional" Courses

Classes at The Finishing School have always focused on the needs of the professional decorative painter.  More than ever, successful decorative painters need a wide range of finishes and don’t always have the luxury of time to develop them.  In light of this we are instituting a series of two day classes called ‘for today’s professional’.  They are specifically designed to allow our students to immediately offer to their clients the finishes covered in class.  They are also great for those professionals who want more confidence and knowledge to enhance finishes that they already do. Each class is $695 ($200 deposit).

Graining for today’s professional (For Sample Images | Click Here)
Almost every job has the potential to include Graining – for those who offer it.  This class will cover examining existing wood for color matching, layering for depth and wood structure. Students create samples of painted woods such as Mahogany, Burl, Walnut and Pine. Instructor: Robert Marx


Marbling for today’s professional (For Sample Images | Click Here)
Topics include analysis of structure, matching existing marbles, applied and removal veining with samples of marbles such as Imperador, Calacatta, and Yellow Sienna. Instructor: Robert Marx


Stenciling for today’s professional (For Sample Images | Click Here)
The focus will be on great finishes that can be done with single overlay stencils and how to translate a sample into a real job.  Some multiple overlays will be included as well.  Samples include ‘allover’ production patterns, stenciling with texture and metallic stenciling.  Instructors: Robert Marx with Jill McAlpine



Specialty Courses

Clouds (For Sample Images | Click Here)
This much sought after two day class will focus on techniques necessary to produce beautiful, realistic cloudscapes.  Samples will be done on large panels and include both ceiling perspective (one soft, one dramatic) and a landscape cloud scene suited for murals. Instructor: Benjamin Craig
Course Fee: $695 ($200 deposit)………………………………………..…………… 2 days 


Creative Cabinetry (For Sample Images | Click Here)
Learn new approaches to kitchens, cabinets and built-ins. Students will produce 12 cabinet doors ranging from fast, simple finishes to intricately designed works of art. Topics covered include choosing the perfect design for the space, spraying vs. hand-brushed finishes, topcoating and accurate pricing. This class is designed to add artistry and proficiency in this lucrative area.
Course fee: $1,095 ($300 deposit)………………………………………..…………… 3 day class


Custom Countertops
Discover the artistic and profitable potential of countertop surfacing.  This unique class incorporates a variety of application techniques, edge treatments and color options.  Topics include resurfacing existing counters, matching natural stones, adding decorative inlays, applying sealers and much more.  Students will leave with sophisticated samples sure to impress the most discerning clients.
Course Fee: $1,395 ($400 deposit)…………………………………. 4 day class


Decorative Gilded Finishes (For Sample Images | Click Here)
Teaches comprehensive traditional and contemporary methods of applying metal leaf, patinating metals and producing decorative finishes. These methods can be applied to small residential projects and large commercial surfaces such as walls, ceilings and domes. Over 40 sample boards as well as carved decorative moldings will showcase your skills in tools and materials; brilliant, precious and metal finishes; chemical and decorative patination; verigated leaf; textured and distressed metals and "broken leaf" finish known as schaibin. This class will make your portfolio sparkle!
Course Fee: $1095 ($300 deposit)………………………………………..…………… 3 day class


Distressing and Aging
This is an essential class because students learn a wide range of finishing options for moldings, cabinetry and furniture that compliment their wall finishes.  These sophisticated yet easy-to-do ‘antiqued’ finishes are done on both simple and exquisitely carved moldings.  Specific techniques include basic and advanced distressing, faux marquetry, lime wash, highlighting, crackle, rust, faux aniline and Negoro Nuri.  Instructor: Caroline Woldenberg
Course Fee: $995 ($300 deposit)……………………………………………………….3 day class


European Lime Plasters
In this class students explore the wonderful lime-based materials that Faux Effects is importing from Italy. These versatile materials can be used for applications ranging from artistic feature walls to production finishes. Featured materials include Stucco Lustro , Lime Based Paint , Texture Coat Fine , Extra Fine and Florentine , Marmarino and Venetian Wax. Instructor: Caroline Woldenberg
Course Fee: $995 ($300 deposit)………………………………………………….… 3 day class


Luminous Lusterstone™ (For Sample Images | Click Here)
This portfolio enhancing class explores Lusterstone, a material that combines properties of a subtle plaster with a soft, burnished metallic glow. Students will explore the wonderful color palette of this easy to use and versatile material, alone and layered with other materials.
Course Fee: $695 ($200 deposit)………………………………………..…………… 2 day class


RsCrete™ (For Sample Images | Click Here)
RsCrete is a durable, easy-to-apply, concrete-like material that can be used to create extraordinary decorative finishes on floors, patios, countertops and walls.  Three grades of RsCrete, RsGlaze, RsActivator and RsStone Special Fine are among the materials that will be used to create finishes such as aged cast concrete, stained concrete, stencil and Modello inlay, slate, inlaid stone and tile.  Instructor: Robert Marx
Course Fee: $695 ($300 deposit)…………………………………. 2 day class


Spraying
This two-day class will cover the basics of sprayers and spraying and will focus on applying basecoats and topcoats. It includes hands-on practice as well as discussions concerning further uses of the sprayer for the decorative finisher. Instructor: Bob Turner
Course Fee: $675 ($200 deposit) ………………………………………..…………… 2 day class


Surface Preparation
The quality, appearance and durability of a painted surface is dependent upon excellent surface preparation.  Learn correct tools, materials, repair techniques, 'tricks of the trade', and safety procedures in this comprehensive hands-on class so that you can handle this portion of the job yourself and confidently communicate with clients, designers, contractors and employees about issues related to surface preparation.   Instructor: Steve Broujos
Course Fee: $595  ($200 deposit)…………………………………. 2 day class


StucoLux®
[description coming soon]


Tile and Stone (For Sample Images | Click Here)
[description coming soon]


Traditional Finishes (For Sample Images | Click Here)
[description coming soon]


Transitional Trends
In this workshop students will create a unique and elegant collection of samples that exhibit a wonderful balance between the past and the present.  These striking finishes, which combine contemporary and world cultural influences, will help students meet the needs of clients with a special interest in artistic wall finishes.
Course Fee: $1,095 ($300 deposit)…………………………………. 3 day class


Trompe L'oeil (For Sample Images | Click Here)
Students will learn about giving dimension to architectural elements, how light plays on various surfaces (glass, liquid, brass, fabric, etc.), and how to place objects in perspective while completing a trompe l'oeil niche panel.  Understanding these concepts not only allows students to leave with a finished painting for personal use and portfolio development, but becomes the foundation for creating trompe l'oeil panels on their own.
Course Fee: $1,195 ($300 deposit)…………………………………. 4 day class


Hand Painted Trompe L'oeil Tiles (For Sample Image | Click Here)
Instructor: Benjamin Craig
In this 2 day class you will learn the techniques necessary to produce a convincing trompe l'oeil panel of delft tiles.  Topics covered include cast shadows, color composition, faux molding, pockmarks, overglazes and more.  This panel was specifically designed to cover a wide variety of trompe l'oeil aspects for students to study and master.
Course Fee: $675 ($200 deposit)………………………………………..…………… 2 day class



Business/Technical Development Courses

Building Your Profitable Business**
Takes an in-depth look at business planning and strategies, including developing your goals, analyzing your existing business, and developing a targeted marketing plan that fits your company's needs. All this is geared towards moving your business in the direction that you would like it to go.
Instructors: Caroline Woldenberg and Bob Turner
** 100 MVP points allowed towards Business/Technical Development courses
Course Fee: $595 ($200 deposit) ………………………………………..…………… 2 day class


Color and Design for the Decorative Painter (For Sample Images | Click Here)
Essential for any decorative painter who wants to enhance their knowledge of interior design so that they can make good design decisions, have the confidence and language to back up their recommendations. In this class students will learn how to guide clients in finish choices and how to work within the professional design community. Some topics covered are the basic principles of color and design, identifying style, using texture, and the effect of light. This lecture course will culminate in students presenting their own solutions to design challenges and opportunities. Instructor: Caroline Woldenberg
Course Fee: $595 ($200 Deposit)………………………………………..…………… 2 day class


Estimating
This class uses the developed area method of estimating to improve the decorative artist's ability to determine the costs, time and profitability of each job with better precision. Also discussed will be topics such as determining the type and amount of preparation needed, evaluating a job's desirability, and the bidding and pricing of a company's jobs. Instructor - Bob Turner
Course Fee: $595 ($200 deposit)………………………………………………..……..2 day class