Painting Techniques
--A Step-By-Step Guide--
Life's too short for plain white walls.
Okay, so it's time for something different. Something new. Something beyond the ordinary paint job.
Paint techniques are easy (and inexpensive) ways to create a whole new mood for a room. With a technique, you can recreate the charm of a country cottage. Or the splendor of a European great house. Or the sleek modern lines of urban living. Even the playfulness of a kid's room. Just be creative. Experiment. With a little imagination and some great paint, nearly anything's possible.
Getting Started:
Once you've chosen the effect you like best, experiment with colors. Use highly contrasting colors for a bolder effect. Or similar colors for a softer effect. Whichever look you prefer, test your ideas on a piece of board first.
Before you paint, read the instructions thoroughly, clear the room of furniture and gather all the materials you'll need. Grab a few extra rags and drop cloths, too. That way you'll feel free to be a little more daring. And for personal protection, wear safety glasses, protective clothing, and gloves. Just remember, it's only paint. If you don't like something, just paint over it.
Preparing the Surface:
Not all walls are alike. Suppose yours are in less-than-perfect shape. Some techniques can actually hide those bumps and lumps since they add a textured look. Of course, a smooth surface always works best. If you can, take the time to fill in cracks and sand down any rough spots before you start. Be sure to use caution when working with existing coatings on the surface. Refer to the paint label for more information on safe preparation.
1. Remove loose paint and plaster.
2. Repair any cracks, holes or other imperfections.
3. After the filler dries, sand to a smooth finish.
4. With a damp clean rag, wipe away all the loose dirt and dust.
Ragging:
The world needs more texture. A wall that's been ragged has the feel of a favorite leather bag. Once that old bag survives years of slammed bus doors, spilled coffee, and unexpected rain, it's almost perfect. Just like the distressed look of ragging, which offers the comfortable illusion of texture.
1. In this two-coat technique, first cover the wall in a base color (either satin or semi-gloss) and let dry. Prepare the glaze coat by mixing one part paint (in any color) with four parts glaze.
2. Place a workable amount of the prepared glaze in a tray. Bunch-up a dampened lint-free rag and dip it into the glaze. Remove excess.
3. Quickly dab the rag over the base color. Change hand positions and angles frequently to add more variety to the pattern.
4. After a dozen or so dabs, select a new rag, since the one you've been using will be soaked in glaze.
Not all rags were created equal.
For a different look, try ragging with other materials. Experiment with these alternatives or come up with your own. -Scrunched-up plastic wrap -Used leather scraps -Chamois -Bunched-up paper towels -Brown paper towels -Brown paper bags -Woven material, like burlap -Bubble wrap.
Sponging:
Make a good impression with color. Something about sponging makes you feel like you're doing a kindergarten art project. It's easy. And fun. But, unlike most pre-school crafts, the effects of sponging can be quite elegant. Sponging works by layering. Similar colors create a mottled look and highly contrasting colors look bold.
1. Using a roller, cover the wall in a base color and let dry.
2. Pour paint into a plastic plate. Then dip a natural sea sponge in it and remove the excess.
3. Dab it onto the wall, pressing firmly to evenly distribute the paint. Be sure to randomly dab the sponge. It makes the finish more even and it's a lot more fun to do.
4. When the sponge becomes saturated with paint, rinse it in water and wring it out.
Variations on a sponge.
Test different sponges, since fine, medium or coarse ones create different looks. Try sponging several colors for a layered effect. A wet sponge creates a softer, blurred look, while a dry one creates a more distinct texture.
To sponge three colors at a time, put them in a plate. Then dip the sponge in the center, where the three meet.
Once a room is sponged, it's easy to adjust. You can always sponge on more top color or more base color.
Dragging:
For walls as comfortable as a favorite shirt. Linen. Silk. Even cotton. Dragging makes walls feel like elegantly woven fabric. In fact, the origins of the dragging technique can be traced back to early Fracne, where decorators tried to recreate the opulent look of fine silk on walls. Fortunately, paint was a little easier to apply and a lot less expensive. Still is.
1. In this two-coat technique, first cover the wall in a base color (either satin or semi-gloss) and let dry. Prepare the glaze coat by mixing one part paint (in any color) with four parts glaze.
2. Working quickly, paint the prepared glaze on the wall in two-foot wide strips from top to bottom, being sure to spread it evenly.
3. Take the dragging tool and, with a steady movement, pull it through the glaze from top to bottom, so the bristles leave fine textured lines behind. Keep your hand steady as the look requires consistency down the wall.
4. Wipe the brush with a clean cloth after every pass to avoid a glaze build-up.
Anything can be a drag. A traditional dragging brush leaves fine stripes. For a different look, try dragging other materials across the surface. Choose a dragging tool based on the size of the area you're dragging. A toothbrush may work great for a small area, but you wouldn't want to use it for an entire wall.
Scrub brush - Comb -Cheese Cloth - Featherduster -Push Broom -Whisk Broom -Cotton Rags.
Stamping:
Leave your own imprint. In the not-to-distant past, stamping conjured up the word "CONFIDENTIAL" emblazoned across a manila envelope. Today, stamping is one of the hottest trends. It's showing up on greeting cards, gift wrap, lamp shades, table cloths and yes, walls. You can stamp just about anything, anywhere, in any color.
1. Cover the wall in a base coat and let dry.
2. Spread even amounts of your stamping paints in separate plates. Press the first stamp in the paint and then make a test print on paper to assure even coverage.
3. Then, move on to the wall, being sure to apply the stamp at a slight angle.
4. Repeat with different stamps in different paints. Place the stamps at random angles and close together for a finished look that's patterned and whimsical.
Create your own stamp of approval. In this example, tropical-themed sponges were used for stamps. You can buy rubber stamps or make your own from just about anything.
Carve a sunburst from a potato. Cut foam rubber or polystyrene into flowers or hearts. Use wooden or linoleum blocks for geometric patterns. Stamp a cork for polka dots. Cut curlicues from sponges.
Striping:
Side by side color. What do you suppose Betsy Ross was thinking when she designed the stripes of Old Glory? Clean lines? Classic design? Timeless style? Whatever it was, she knew a good thing. Nothing lasts like stripes. And by painting your own, you get to choose exactly how they look, from thickness to color.
1. Cover the wall n the base color and let dry.
2. Before you begin striping, mark the position of the lines with chalk or a pencil. Carefully measure the width of each stripe and the distance between stripes.
3. Line each stripe with thick tape and mark off all the stripes of the same color. Tape an "X" across the stripes you're not painting yet.
4. Paint in the stripes, working in short, vertivcal strokes. Let the stripes dry, then remove tape. Tape off the next stripes and repeat the process with the second stripe color.
Earn your stripes. Differ the width of stripes for the look of classic wallpaper. Instead of using different colors for stripes, try using different sheens of the same color. A glossy stripe looks great next to a matte one. Just apply the matte finish first. Once your vertical stripes have dried, paint horizontal ones, too. This will give you the classic look of plaid. Try combining techniques by sponging or ragging stripes. Instead of vertical stripes, try horizontal ones for a border or chair rail.
Colorwashing:
Make new walls look old. When you step into a colorwashed room, you can almost feel the past. The yeasty smell of bread in the oven. The crackle of logs in the fireplace. In fact, you almost expect the plaster to be crumbling. Created by layering translucent colors, or washing them, the walls feel authentically faded and comfortably lived-in.
1. In this two-coat technique, first cover the wall in a base color (either satin or semi-gloss) and let dry. Prepare the glaze coat by mixing one part paint (in any color) with four parts glaze.
2. Paint the prepared glaze over a workable surface area, working in short, random brushstrokes. Let the glaze dry until it is just tacky to the touch.
3. Using a stiff, damp brush, apply firm strokes across the surface. Use enough pressure to reveal the base color while blurring your previous brush strokes.
4. Be sure to wipe the brush with a clean cloth every so often to avoid a glaze build-up.
Tips for colorwashing. Once you've mastered colorwashing experiment. Instead of colorwashing with a brush, use a cotton rag for a softer look. Try colorwashing several layers of color. Just be sure to let each layer dry. Try using a roller. If the wall isn't what you imagined, add layers. More colors look richer. Be sure to work in random sections. You want the final surface to be splotchy. Use colorwashing as a background for striping or stamping.