Use painting techniques

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How To... > Use painting techniques

Sponging is effective and extremely versatile. It gives an all-over, random pattern that can be subtle or bold - it is up to you. If using muted colours, you will get a soft, hazy look, or a really striking 3-dimensional effect can be achieved by building up several layers in different colours.

You will need

Coloured emulsion or special effects paint
Silk* as a background for your project, gloss or quick dry satin as a background for woodwork and furniture
Brush or paint roller and tray
Gloves
Natural sponge or deep profile flocked sponge
Card to test your technique before painting

*Matt emulsion can be used for your background, providing you are sufficiently experienced

Your step-by-step guide

Before you start, experiment on a card to achieve the desired effect
Ensure surface to be decorated is clean
Apply a base coat and allow to dry
Dampen your sponge with water and stir your paint
Dip your sponge into the paint, avoid overloading
Pat the sponge gently on and off the wall taking care not to drag or smudge the area
Keep changing the direction of the sponge to avoid unwanted repetition of patterns, standing back occasionally to assess the effect
Sponge internal corners after the effect has been applied to the walls. Leaving an irregular un-sponged margin on either side of the corner, then use a small piece of sponge to fill and blend these areas into the rest of the effect

USEFUL HINTS AND TIPS

When sponging several colours, wait for each colour to dry before adding the next
If you are sponging 'off', roll a small area with semi-transparent paint then dab it off to reveal the background colour
Wipe excess paint from the sponge as you go
You can sponge 'on' with standard emulsion paint, but it will not be semi-transparent and will dry much quicker
Leave mistakes to dry before sponging over with the background colour
Simply wipe over minor mistakes and re-sponge
Surfaces subject to wear and tear should be protected with clear varnish which should be applied after the effect has been allowed to dry for at least 24 hours
Wash the sponge out frequently using running water
Wash out the sponge when it starts to feel heavy

Rag Rolling creates a fascinating rippled look. It is an exciting effect that can add life and sense of movement to a plain room. You can use it all over your walls or just in feature areas.

You will need

Coloured emulsion or special effects paint
Silk* as a background for your project, gloss or quick dry satin as a background for woodwork and furniture
Ragging chamois or ragging cloth
Brush or paint roller and tray
Gloves
Card to test your technique before painting

*Do not use matt emulsion for your background, as it is too absorbent

Your step-by-step guide

Before you start, experiment on a card to achieve the desired effect.
Ensure surface to be decorated is clean.
Apply a base coat and allow to dry.
Dampen the ragging chamois or cloth and squeeze out any excess water.

Ragging Off

Apply the paint over approximately a square metre area, using your brush or roller
With the paint still wet, roll the bunched ragging chamois or cloth across the surface in a random or ‘S’ shape
Squeeze excess paint from the rag as you go
To avoid visible seams between blocks, use your roller or brush to blend the two areas together before ragging the join
Work from the bottom to the top then across the wall, standing back occasionally to assess the effect

Ragging On

Apply the paint to your ragging chamois or cloth
Squeeze excess paint from the rag as you go
Cover the painted wall in widely spaced prints and gradually fill the gaps so that an overall pattern develops
Apply the cloth at different angles and re-bunch frequently to avoid a repeated print

USEFUL HINTS AND TIPS

Allow enough time to complete a wall in one session
When your chamois or cloth becomes clogged, rinse it through
When working with a partner, keep to the same job - variations in your ragging techniques may become visible
When you have finished ragging a wall, wipe down the corners of adjacent walls to remove any unwanted paint
Surfaces subject to wear and tear should be protected with clear varnish which should be applied after the effect has been allowed to dry for at least 24 hours

Stippling gives a gentle freckled appearance. The overall effect - is soft and tranquil. Stippling is ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, and anywhere you want to relax and unwind.

You will need

Coloured emulsion or special effects paint
Silk* as a background for your project, gloss or quick dry satin as a background for woodwork and furniture
Stippling brush or pad
Brush, pad or paint roller and tray
Card to test your technique before painting

*Do not use matt emulsion for your background, as it is too absorbent

Your step-by-step guide

Before you start, experiment on a card to achieve the desired effect
Ensure surface to be decorated is clean
Apply a basecoat and allow to dry

Stippling Off

Apply the paint over approximately a square metre area, using your brash or roller
With the paint still wet, pat the surface with the bristles of the stippling brush or pad
Stipple off in a random way. Avoid making vertical or horizontal bands which will spoil the effect
To avoid visible seams between blocks, use your roller or brush to blend the two areas together before stippling across the join
Work from the bottom to the top then across the wall, standing back occasionally to assess the effect

Stippling On

Apply some paint to your stippling brush or pad. For stippling on, a brush is much more effective
Dab the stippling brush onto the wall in quick soft 'pecking' movements, working randomly around the area to ensure a consistent pattern
Wait until the first coat is dry before applying a second coat

USEFUL HINTS AND TIPS

Allow enough time to complete a wall in one session
If a mistake is made, brush or roll over the area while the paint instill wet and re-stipple
Surfaces subject to wear and tear should be protected with clear varnish which should be applied after the effect has been allowed to dry for at least 24 hours

These useful techniques have been provided by Bozzle.com

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