Paintbrushes at dawn.

Well it's all kicking off in the posh paint world!  The Twitterati are tweetering, Faceache is obliterating and the whole thing seems to have gone potty gaga.

A seriously big issue has raised it's head.  Divisions have been created. Paintbrushes the world over have been downed.

What you may ponder, whilst happily sipping on a slightly larger than a pub measure G&T, what am I tattling about?

If you are a purveyor of certain, (oh, I will be naming names, but you need to keep reading), paint products, you will know of the chutzpah to which I refer.  If you are not, let me enlighten you.

Great minds have been put to work, intellectuals, chemists and artists tested. Semantics have been reviewed, international linguists consulted.  Why? Simple.  Chalk and paint.  Or paint and chalk if you prefer.

Now as a simple painter of furniture I love certain paints.  I love they way they work on my projects and I love the finish they give.  I'm not a stockist, I'm not a promoter, I have no angle, I just happen to love two particular paint brands, (others are available people).  I love that the lazy in me gets to skip the priming and the sanding.  I love that they are low in, or have no, VOC's, I love that the can be dilute with water for different finishes and mixed up.  They can be waxed or varnished or left as is.  They can be distressed or gilded.  They can be shabby or chic or french or Scandinavian or just plain bonkers.  I love them.  But one is quite, quite different to work with than the other.  What I didn't know was this:

One brand is made with chalk but cannot be called 'Chalk Paint' the other brand is not made with chalk, but is the only paint allowed to be called 'Chalk Paint'.  Yes I know.  I'm confused too.  Do I care.  No, not really.  Will it affect my future choices? No, I love both.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint tm, (the one not made with chalk), is fantastic.  It works like a dream and has a fantastic finish.  It is easy to apply, (once you have been taught how to use it), but where you do have to work is in the application of the wax.  Elbow grease and a great brush are essential.

Autentico Vintage Paint, (the one made with chalk), is trickier to apply and getting the right finish does take practice, but when it comes to waxing it is a delight - and super fast.  It takes minutes and the wax gives a great result.

Both paints, in my experience, have incredibly similar properties and I choose the brand based on the project - I never use Autentico on chairs simply because I struggle with avoiding brushstrokes, but my technique, when I use Annie Sloan on a chair means no brush strokes - well not many.  I know another furniture painter who does the exact opposite - but for the same reason.  It's all in the technique.

I like Autentico for chests of drawers and large flat areas - I like the finish I get, but in all honestly 9 times out of 10 my choice is a colour decision.  I even, shock, horror, mix them up.  A coat of Emperors Silk, (ASCP) under a coat of Nearly Black, (Autentico).  Works for me.

So that's it.  Whatever all the fuss is about I love both paints and it makes me sad that people are getting all sticky fingered and angry about it.  Use what you love and what works for you. Both companies have brought us beautiful products.  These paints are revolutionary, (hilarious really considering their heritage) and for me at least, both Annie Sloan and Autentico a pleasure and a privilege to use.

There is a story behind both the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint which she tells here and the Autentico Vintage Paint which you can read all about here

Paintbrushes at dawn?  Forget it.  I'm on the lookout for a lovely eau de nil and I don't care which of you makes it.

Marie x

P.S. No pictures today in the interests of balance and non-influence.  Normal service will resume shortly.