MODULE The Art of graining and faux marble

Overview:
Come and join us in beautiful southwest France to study with a master in the art of graining and marbling!  In this class Michel Nadaï will show you how to paint imitation woods and marbles in a realistic manner.  You will discover and study how to properly use the tools that will help you in creating realistic renderings.  You will also learn how to make the various types of glazes that will allow you execute faux woods and faux marbles.  Besides having the opportunity to have hands-on practice with a renown master, you will received individualized attention and feedback thanks to the limited number of students per class.  Each subject is covered in depth and each student will go back with the samples of their creation.  This program not only equips you with practical techniques but also helps you to build a personalized portfolio showcasing your wood graining and imitation marble skills. 

 

Outline of the program :*
A decorative painter’s journey starts with learning the basics, one of which is training in graining and marbling.  This comprehensive training covers the basics of these techniques, their applications, oil glazes and water glazes, color, and the appropriate use of specific tools and brushes. Students also gain insights into the structure of wood and marble, color, crystallization and overglazing. Michel will guide you through these concepts, providing daily practical and theoretical demonstrations. These demonstrations are followed by a repetition of hands-on exercises.

What you will learn:
- Preparing the substrates (theory)
- How to care for your tools and other materials.
- How to properly use the various tools (brushes, steel combs, comté crayons...) in order to create convincing renderings.
- Study of the various species of wood (growth, structure...).
- Study of how to execute realistic wood graining.
- Study of the various types of marble (formation, patterns...).
- Study of how to execute realistic marbles.
- How to prepare and use various kinds of glazes (oil-based, water-based...) in order to execute realistic woods and marbles.
- How to do the groundwork, the overglaze and crystallization.
- How to protect your work.

Training method and certification of the course - How the course is taught:
- Theoretical explanations and demonstrations on a daily basis.
- Immediate hands on practice through daily exercises.
- Students create individual panels of graining and marbling, thereby creating samples for their future portfolio.
- Instructor folows through each student's progress on a daily basis.
- Students receive the school's Certificate upon completion of the course.

Who is this for?
This course is open to students of all levels, from beginners to more advanced learners. However, we recommend that individuals interested in attending only weeks 3 and 4 have some prior experience in graining and marbling or contact us before registering.  
 

WEEKLY PROGRAM

Week 1 - Wood Graining Level I 
September 15th, 2025 to September 19th, 2025 - (5 days / 35 hours)
Pine (heart grain and straight grain), Maple (heart grain and straight grain), Oak (Straight Grain):
Generalities, glazes, palettes, learning how to use specific tools, learning the specific brushstrokes, studying the structure of the wood, the color, the effects, the overglaze.

Week 2 - Faux marble (marbling) Level I
September 22nd, 2025 to September 26th, 2025 - (5 days / 35 hours)
White veined marble, Portor marble, Rouge Languedoc marble:
Generalities, glazes, palettes, learning how to use specific tools, learning the specific brushstrokes, studying the structure of the marbles, the color, the effects, crystallization.

Week 3 - Wood Graining Level II
Septembre 29th, 2025 to October 3rd, 2025 - (5 days / 35 hours)
Oak (heart grain and silver grain), Walnut (heart grain, straight grain, burl), Mahogany (flame), root of Thuya:
Generalities, glazes, palettes, learning how to use specific tools, learning the specific brushstrokes, studying the structure of the wood, the color, the effects, the overglaze.

Week 4 - Faux marble (marbling) Level II
October 6th, 2025 to October 10th, 2025 - (5 days / 35 hours)
Sea Green marble, Yellow Sienna marble, Sarrancolin marble:
Generalities, glazes, palettes, learning how to use specific tools, learning the specific brushstrokes, studying the structure of the marbles, the color, the effects, crystallization.

*Outline of the program is for informative purpose; the program may therefore receive modifications if necessary
*It's possible to take the module in its entirety or select the week(s) that best suit your schedule. For more information and to learn about the registration procedures, please contact the school.
 

Dates :  
September 15th, 2025 to October 10th, 2025 (4 weeks / 140 hours of class).

Venue :  Atelier Nadaï, 8 rue François Arago, 47000 Agen, France.
We are situated in the town of Agen, conveniently located in between Bordeaux and Toulouse.  Agen can be conveniently reached by bullet train from Paris, either directly from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport or from Montparnasse train station.  Additionally, there are numerous domestic flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to either Bordeaux or Toulouse, from where Agen is just an hour away by train.  For more information on accommodation in Agen and how to get to the venue please don't hesitate to write to us.

Who can apply : 
This course is open to beginners or professionals seeking a comprehensive and in-depth training in wood graining and faux marbles.
For those interested in registering for weeks 3 and 4 only, please contact us in advance.

Instructor:
Michel Nadaï, recipient of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France award (Best Craftsman of France award).  Author of the book 'Art & Techniques of Decorative Painting'.

Certification of the course : 
Students receive the school's Certificate upon completion of the course.  Certificate will mention that he or she studied with a recipient of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France award (Best Craftsman of France award).

Course tuition
3500,00 euros net for 140 hours of class
- Course fee exempted of French V.A.T.
- Prices valid until December 31st, 2025

Tuition includes:
- Instructors' live instructions and daily critic of your work
- Free use of oil paints, acrylic paints, mediums, solvants
- Supports to paint on (kraft paper, mylar).
- Class materials (photocopies and written materials)
- Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits.

Not included in tuition:
- Brushes and tools and personal sundry items
- Please note that the school does not provide meals or accommodation and these are not included in the course fee. Each student will be in charge of meals and accommodation as well as travel expenses. Information on accommodation is available upon request.

Regarding brushes:
- Students will be required to bring or purchase specialized brushes and other miscellaneous items, including a ruler, compass, pencils, eraser, and notebook. (You can expect to spend approximately 750 to 850 euros on tools, brushes, and other items.) To make things easier for our students, we have brush sets available for purchase on our online store. If you already have decorative painting brushes that are needed for the course, you won’t need to buy a new set.  

Training materials:
To find out more about the equipment and materials provided by Atelier Nadaï throughout the course, please click here.

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