Becoming a fake finisher can be self-taught or learned through classes or apprenticeships. Faux-finish schools offer courses that teach skills, business, and marketing. Apprenticeships offer hands-on learning, but there is a risk of competition. Standalone or partnered fake finishers have autonomy and can take pride in their creative work.
There are several ways to become a fake finisher. Some teach themselves and become a fake finisher by reading about techniques and trying and perfecting fake techniques at home, using their own walls as a learning canvas. Others start out as professional painters and take faux-finish classes to add specialized techniques to the services offered. Some also start out as apprentices training with experienced finishers and end up going into business. More often than not, aspiring crafters use multiple avenues to achieve their goal of becoming a fake finisher.
Perhaps the most common way to become a fake finisher is to teach yourself, at least early in your career. Many homeowners interested in decorating have tried it on their own and found they have a natural talent. Often your first customers are friends and family who see the look and want it to be duplicated. Typically, artists who start out in the faux finish business this way already have a natural artistic talent and interest in home decorating or building.
Many professional painters become a fake finisher to add specialized techniques and knowledge that help build their business. Some become interested in faux finishing after encountering an established faux finisher on the jobsite and realizing the increased earning potential that specialist painting techniques can achieve. Painters can become false finishers, self-taught or taking a course offered by a false finishing school.
There are no accrediting bodies or licensing requirements for faux-finish schools. Still, there are many good schools that rely on repeat business and word of mouth. They strive to maintain high standards and often provide ongoing support to graduates.
The initial course of completing the fake usually lasts about 40 hours and lasts for 5 days. Core courses teach beginning faux finishing skills, business and marketing, and some advanced techniques. The student can use work completed during the course as a portfolio to show clients. Generally, the finishes learned during the beginners course use special products and focus on sophisticated techniques that would be difficult for the self-taught finisher to master.
Another way to become a fake finisher is to become an apprentice of an accomplished fake finisher with a thriving business. This hands-on approach is a very quick and effective method of learning techniques. However, there may be a risk for the teacher, because there is always the chance that the learner becomes competition for the teacher.
There are many advantages to becoming a fake finisher for the motivated individual with some creative skill and the physical stamina to work on their feet every day. Most dummy finishers are standalone or work in partnership with one or two other dummy finishers, allowing for great autonomy. Fake finalists can use their creativity and feel a high rate of pride in their work.
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