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First things first. No
matter when kind of finish you’re applying, it is essential to make
the proper preparations first. This means not just choosing the
colors you want, but ensuring the wall itself is free of any cracks,
holes or peeling paint. Vacuum for dust in and around the area, and
lay down masking tape and drop cloths that can withstand paint and
glaze. You also want to secure good lighting and prepare all the
materials so you aren’t mixing in a hurry and learning on the fly.
Experiment with wood pieces or an unseen corner before you create
the full solutions – practice beforehand is the surest way to avoid
disasters down the line.
Most paint finishes can be broadly divided into categories. The most
common is generally called ragging, though it may encompass any
number of similar techniques. The point of each is to create blends
of colors that are coarser than a simple mix, combining glazes and
undercoats into finely etched, repeating patterns. For each, you
want to begun with a solid base coat of paint, something to play off
as you expand the room’s visual interest. The second step is to mix
that paint with glaze – the proportions may vary depending on the
manufacturer, so it’s always wise to start with a lower paint
percentage and work your way up.
Ragging and sponging are essentially identical – the only difference
is what shapes you use. Sponging involves dipping an edge or face of
the sponge into the glaze solution and pressing it for a mottle
effect. Ragging, on the other hand, allows for much greater
creativity as you can scrunch that fabric in countless
configurations for a truly random distribution. Avoid getting the
glaze on your hands, elbows or paint handles, as you could
inadvertently break the effect with an errant streak. Also bear in
mind that the top coat is what generally draws the eye, so plan
ahead and make the base coat the one you will ultimately use for
peek-through “accents.”
Combing is an entirely different effect, though arguably an even
simpler one. Because this technique doesn’t require you to apply the
glaze piecemeal, you can brush it on more broadly with equally good
results. Create a lead line of tape or string to mark the primary
parallel, and then draw down a stiff brush in alignment with that
guide. Vertical lines are more common, though you may be able to
generate a funkier feel with expansive horizontal strokes. As with
ragging and sponging, much of the ultimate look here depends on
which colors you are matching – very close and you have a look not
unlike denim, while more disparate glaze can create striking
juxtaposition.
More interesting color combination can be layered with greater
depth, creating what many designers called a marbleized look. This
technique is as much art as science, so you’ll need a good eye and
plenty of practice to emulate the mineral distribution of true
marble. Multiple sponging layers in subtly different hues comprise
the bulk of this technique, but much of the effect depends on finer
details such as metallic passes, subtle striations over broad space
and the application of “veins” using an artist’s brush or a feather.
As with the other techniques, practice is essential here – give each
layer plenty of time to dry if you want a true representation of
your vision.
More sophisticated paint finishes techniques await for the
enterprising homeowner as well, from wood graining to crackle glaze.
Thankfully, they all involve essentially the same materials, so this
is a hobby that rewards long-term experimentation year after year. |
