Decorating Techniques
Decorative painting typically involves techniques to achieve
broken color – applying one or more colors in broken layers
over a base coat to achieve a variety of looks and effects.
With a faux finish, you can imitate specific materials, such
as marbling or graining. Some techniques create a mottled
or textured effect to add visual interest. Still other rely on
the qualities and structure of the paint itself, rather than the
manipulation of the paint. Here, we give an overview of just
some of these techniques: Sponging, Rag-Rolling, Stencil,
and Crackle.
For all techniques, make sure you thoroughly prepare the surface before painting to ensure your
time and creative effort will pay off. See our Preparation Techniques section for tips.
Sponging
Sponging is one of the quicker decorative effects to apply. With sponge-on painting, you apply a
wash or glaze over a base coat with a dampened sponge to create a mottled or textured look. You
can apply more than one wash or glaze coat, but each coat you apply must be allowed to dry completely before the next application. Sponge-off is a variation of the technique in which you apply a
uniform glaze coat over a solid color base coat with a brush or roller. Before the glaze coat begins to
dry, use the sponge to remove some of the glaze to expose the coat under it. The best effects are
made with a natural sponge, which has varied holes, instead of a cellulose sponge with more uniform
holes. There are many color options to consider for various effects. Lighter colors are typically applied over darker tones to crate depth. Darker colors over lighter ones create can create more definition and texture. Different values of color in the same family can be used for a tone-on-tone damask
effect.
Basic Sponge-On Technique:
1. Prepare and prime surface.
2. Apply base coat if necessary, and allow to dry.
3. Dip sponge completely into water, and squeeze out excess water, leaving the sponge damp.
4. Pour a small amount of paint for your sponged effect into a shallow container.
5. Wearing paint gloves, dip the sponge sparingly into the paint and blot excess paint from the
sponge onto a paper towel.
6. Apply the sponge paint randomly to the surface, varying the angle of the sponge.
7. Wring out the sponge and rinse in clean water occasionally for clearer prints,
8. Continue sponging until the area is covered.
Rag-Rolling
Rag-Rolling gives surfaces a dramatic effect reminiscent of crushed velvet, parchment or chamois
leather. Like Sponging, there are techniques where you rag on or rag off. Different rag fabrics will
create different effects. Popular materials include linen, chamois or burlap. But almost any natural
fiber material will work as long as it is clean and lint-free. Layering glazes works well with this technique as long as each layer is allowed to dry completely.
Basic Rag-Off Rolling Technique:
1. Prepare and prime surface.
2. Apply base coat if necessary, and allow to dry.
3. Roll lint-free rags into sausage shapes about 6” long. Use linen, chamois or burlap for different effects.
4. Pour paint for your rag effect into paint tray and apply to surface with a roller.
5. Wearing paint gloves, while surface is still wet, roll your rag against the surface from the bottom up.
6. Overlap slightly, continuing until you reach the end of the painted area. Change rags as needed to
maintain the effect.
8, Continue until the area is covered.
Tips:
• Practice first on a large piece of cardboard before applying to the actual surface.
• If working on a larger surface, consider working in sections because the top coat must be wet when you
rag roll.
• Applying more pressure will remove more paint.
• The effect is less noticeable when you use lighter colors.
• Correct any excessive drips by rolling over them with the rag.
Stencil Painting
Stencil painting is a great way to add a variety of creative design looks to your home. From fun and whimsical to upscale looks with damask design and scrolling, you can create patterns or artistic accents that
add new life and color. Stencil patterns can be applied by spraying or stippling with a stenciling brush.
Spraying is particularly useful when applying over textured surfaces. The main advantage of a stencil
brush over a normal paint brush is that it reduces the chances of paint getting under the edge of the stencil because of its shorter, stiffer bristles. If your stencil design calls for different colors, you may want to
have a separate brush for each color rather than rinsing the brush each time.
Basic Stenciling/Brush Technique:
1. Prepare and prime surface to be painted.
2. Apply base coat and allow to dry.
3. Hold stencil firmly against surface, or attach it with masking tape.
4. Dip stencil brush into paint can, wipe off excess paint. The paint should not be too liquid and the brush
shouldn’t be too wet.
5. Apply brush to stencil, using a dabbing or tapping motion until entire stencil is filled in.
6. Use the fingers of your free hand to keep small parts of the stencil down while you apply the paint.
7. With a steady hand, remove stencil being careful not to smear the freshly applied paint.
8. Wipe stencil clean with a cloth after each application.
9. Repeat steps 3-8 until desired effect is achieved.
Tips:
• Practice on cardboard before applying to actual surface.
• Make sure stencil is clean before applying to surface.
• If you make a mistake, reapply base coat over area to be corrected, let dry, and reapply stencil.
Crackle Finishing
Aging or antiquing techniques such as crackle finishing have become very popular over the past several
years. This is partly due to design aesthetics and partly due to the introduction of products that have
made it easier to achieve the effect. If you can’t find that perfect “antique” piece for your design scheme,
you can recreate it. Or maybe you have an item such as an old picture frame or a piece of furniture that
just isn’t worth stripping. Whatever the reasons, crackle finishing is a creative way to get the effect of
aged, weathered paint and add a distinctive look to your home.
Basic Crackle Finishing Technique:
1. Prepare surface by patching and cracks or dents with spackle and lightly sanding.
2. Apply base coat of paint, typically a darker color, and let dry completely.
3. Apply crackle medium, and let dry until slightly tacky. Thin coats result in finer cracks, thick coats result in larger cracks. Experiment on a sample board using long, smooth strokes or short, cross-hatching
strokes to get the effect you want. Do not overbrush.
4. Apply top coat and let dry.
Tips:
• For items such as picture frames, you can use a damp sponge instead of a brush in order to get into
carved areas.
• You can achieve an aged/antiqued look by applying a thinned mix of acrylic stain or stain and wiping off
excess with a lint-free cloth until desired effect is achieved.
• For items that will be handled frequently or receive heavy use, you can seal the paint with a satin-finish
polyurethane.