More in Painting

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ALL ABOUT

Painting
Rag Rolling
Sponging
Textured Painting
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Some paint effects are used to add detail, such as stenciling, distressing, and some trompe l'oeil effects.
Others are used to decorate whole walls or rooms, using a discontinuous topcoat of color to create depth
and texture. The topcoat is chosen to complement the base color of the wall where it shows through.
Traditionally a translucent glaze, known as scumble glaze, is used for the finish coat, although other paints
are sometimes used. Once you are familiar with the key techniques of the effects shown here, you can
experiment with colors, layers, and tools to create effects of your own.
View photo gallery of these paint techniques
Trompe l'oeil
Trompe l'oeil translates as "trick of the eye" and includes all those paint effects that try to mimic a different
surface. Examples include marbling, where paint and glaze are carefully applied to create the appearance
of marble, and tricks such as recreating the look of old stone on a new plaster surface. To produce
convincing trompe l'oeil takes practice, so hone your skills on some scrap paper before tackling a new
project.

Stenciling
Stencils are normally made from acetate or cardboard and can be bought ready-to-use, or you can cut your
own. Any paint can be used for stenciling, but water-based options dry quickly and are the most userfriendly.
Use a very small amount of paint on a special stenciling or small stippling brush and dab lightly into the
stencil. Stencil crayons or aerosol paints can also be used. You can apply a coat of flat color, or create a
three-dimensional effect by concentrating color around the edge of a design. This creates a central
highlight. You can also apply more paint on one side to suggest directional light.

Using a Stencil
Attach the stencil to the surface with low-tack painter's tape. Use a stenciling brush in an up-and-down
motion to apply the paint. Remove the stencil carefully. Choose the next stencil location randomly, or create
a regular pattern.

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Distressing
There are several techniques that can provide the illusion of age. Masking areas with petroleum jelly or glue
prevents paint from adhering so that once the surface is painted and the area is sanded, the masked areas
lose all their paint to provide a patchy, aged finish. Surfaces can also be physically distressed with strokes
of a hammer or other objects. Accentuate the texture by rubbing some colored wax into the surface or
colorwashing.
For a different effect use crackle glaze or craquelure. Used as directed, they create a surface like cracked
antique paint or varnish. You can enhance the finish with colored wax.
Creating Aging Effects
When using these effects, think carefully where you would expect to find natural wear, such as on the edges
of a door, or on the area around a handle. The more layers of different colored paint applied to that area, the
greater the effect.

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Sponging On Effects
Glaze or latex can be applied over a flat coat of paint to create a textured effect. Translucent glaze, bought
ready-to-use or mixed as shown for color-washing, gives a more subtle effect than emulsion. Here,
sponging on paint is described, although you can experiment with other "tools" such as rags or bags.
Whatever tool you use, the general technique is similar.
The first step is to paint a base coat of latex or eggshell onto the wall. When this is dry, pour a small amount
of your topcoat of paint or glaze into a roller tray. Dip in your chosen tool and make sure it is well coated.
Remove the excess paint by dabbing it off on the ridged section of the tray, then on some newspaper, until a
light touch produces a mottled mark rather than a solid block of color. Begin to apply it to the wall in a
random pattern, varying the side of the tool that you use for each mark. Build up the effect slowly rather
than attempting a dense coat the first time. Go over the whole surface with one very light coat first, then
check it for even coverage. Apply subsequent layers until the desired result is achieved.
Creating a random yet even pattern is harder than it looks and you may want to practice on some scrap
paper first. However, mistakes can be corrected and evened out by applying some of the paint you used for
the base coat with the effect tool you are using.
Sponging On
A sponge is one of the easiest tools for a paint-effect novice to get to grips with. Build up the finish in layers
until you achieve your desired density of color. If different shades of the same color are used then the final
effect will be subtle; if contrasting colors are used then you will get a bolder result.

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Applying Colorwash
A colorwash provides depth of color and enhances textured and distressed surfaces. Create the effect by
applying translucent glaze over an opaque base coat.
Water-based glazes are available and can be bought colored, or you can color them yourself using a
special dye. For a greater range of colors, tint glaze with acrylic paint. Apply a second coat of glaze if more
color is required, or work on the wet glaze to create one of the effects below. The finish is usually glossy.
Pour a small amount of dye into the glaze and mix it well with a length of clean dowel (Image 1). Test the
color and adjust if required.
Spread glaze onto the wall, using random strokes (Image 2). Work quickly because if you let the edges dry
they will show on the finished surface.

o
Image 1

o
Image 2
1

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Creating Off Effects

The first step for these effects is a translucent color-wash of glaze that is applied over an opaque base coat.
Use a vinyl silk or satin latex, eggshell, or even gloss for your base coat because this will prolong the drying
time of the glaze while you work with it. You need to work quickly to complete a color-wash and create one
of the off effects shown below before the glaze dries. If you are inexperienced at creating paint effects, or
are tackling a particularly large area, get some help so that one person can apply the glaze while the other
follows behind creating the effect. When using these techniques, replace or wash your tool clean often and
keep plenty of newspaper and water or mineral spirit on hand. Complete the whole wall surface before
taking a break.

Sponging
Press a damp sponge into the glaze, and lift it off to leave a mottled impression. Move the sponge across
the surface, pressing and removing the sponge in a random fashion. From time to time, rinse out the
sponge to remove excess glaze.

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Ragging
Press a dampened, crumpled cloth into the glaze randomly across the wall surface. Rinse the rag regularly
or have a few ready for when the one you are using becomes too soaked with glaze. Vary the effect by
using different types of cloth or even plastic and paper bags.

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Rag-Rolling
Crumple a rag and form it into a sausage shape, then roll it down the wall surface to create a subtle effect
resembling tumbling material. Rinse or change rags often. You can also rag-roll glaze or latex onto a wall for
a similar but more dramatic effect.

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Stippling

By pressing the very ends of a specially designed stippling brush into the wet glaze, you can create a very
finely textured, almost velvet-like finish. Pat the brush into the wall surface in a random pattern and make
sure that you go straight up and down with no drag.

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Dragging
This creates a coarse-lined, textured finish running either vertically or horizontally. Hold a long-bristled
dragging brush at a low angle, then draw it in a continuous stroke down or across the glazed surface. This
effect can be used on wood as well as walls.

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Graining
A wood-grain effect often used on MDF or melamine furniture, graining can be applied to any flat surface.
Rock the special graining tool gently as you drag it down the wet glaze surface. Vary the pace of rocking to
give different effects.

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