Interesting painting techniques
Colour Washing
Colour washing is a versatile technique worth mastering because it can be painted onto wood, furniture and walls. The effect is achieved by brushing on earthborn glaze mix once the earthborn glaze mix is slightly dry, using a cloth gently moving in a criss-cross motion to produce an even paint effect.
The technique can change dramatically with the choice of colour. For a subtle effect choose pastel shades of earthborn claypaint or emulsion to paint the wall and use a wall glaze mix one or two shades darker to colour wash the walls to achieve a soft diffused appearance. If you are more adventurous, use contrasting colours. For example, paint a warm yellow on the wall and colour-wash with a burnt orange wall glaze mix to give a texture and depth.
Recipe. Wall Glaze Mix:
Step1. This preparation is made up of two parts. Firstly, soak earthborn pigment in quantities of 75grams to 225 grams into 500 mls of water. Leave to soak overnight and stir.
Step2. Take 750 ml of earthborn wall glaze and dilute with 2.5 ltrs of water. Add the pigment preparation to the wall glaze mix, mix until the desired shade is reached.
Materials.
- Earthborn claypaint or emulsion paint for basecoat
- earthborn wall glaze and pigments
- bowl to mix paint
- wooden spoon
- large soft paintbrush
- decorator tape
- sheet to protect floor
- cheese cloth
- 4-5 inch paint brush
- ladder
Suitable areas. Most large walls. Looks wonderful when combined with flat painted walls because it accentuates the textures effect.
Technique: Step 1. Using low tack decorator tape mask around the skirting , sidewalls and ceiling. This is necessary because working time needs to be fast to work with the glaze mix before it dries. Step 2. Paint the base coat with earthborn claypaint or emulsion and leave to fully dry. Step 3. Prepare the earthborn wall glaze mix by mixing your recipe to achieve the colour required. Step 4. Always test your colour glaze by painting a small part of the wall. Practice the technique. Step 5. Starting from the top left corner, paint the glaze in 1m wide sections working your way down the wall towards the skirting before working your way across and up towards the ceiling. Keeping the edge of the wall glaze wet prevents a tide line. One person to paint on the glaze, the other to work the effect. Step 6. Wipe the wall with the cloth using strokes of different lengths and directions enough to expose the basecoat without removing all of the glaze. Step 7. The cloth may become saturated with glaze – simply refold and begin to wipe again. Step 8. Remove the decorators’ tape and leave to dry overnight before replacing the furniture. TIP: To increase ‘open time’, particularly useful with large areas of claypaint, first dampen wall with mist spray before applying colour wash.
Sponging
Sponging is a modern broken-colour technique. Natural sponge, moistened with water or soaked in glaze mix, is used over a contrasting base coat to produce a softly mottled effect, by adding colour. You could combine two methods is a versatile finish which produces both subtle and striking results: pastel tones create an airy lightness, while stronger, related colours give rich, deep tones. Use sea sponges if you can – they create more interesting textures.
Recipe. Wall Glaze Mix: Step1. This preparation is made up of two parts. Firstly, soak earthborn pigment in quantities of 75grams to 225 grams into 500 mls of water. Leave to soak overnight and stir. Step2. Take 750 ml of earthborn wall glaze and dilute with 2.5 ltrs of water. Add the pigment preparation to the wall glaze mix, mix until the desired shade is reached. Materials. Earthborn claypaint or emulsion paint for basecoat, earthborn wall glaze and pigments, natural sponge, - tray to dab off excess glaze mix – pot to mix – decorators’ tape, wiping cloth and ladder.
Suitable areas: This effect looks best on smaller areas.
Technique: Step 1. Paint the base coat with earthborn emulsion or claypaint and leave to fully dry. Step 2. Prepare the wall glaze mix to the required shade as above recipe guide. Step3. Decant a small quantity of the wall glaze mix into a tray, dab the natural sponge taking off any excess. Step 4. Working in approximately 1 metre square sections on a wall, keep dipping into the wall glaze mix and dabbing on the wall until you have achieved a constant appearance before moving onto the next section.
Stippling
Traditional stippling entails the reworking of newly applied paint to create a finely textured finish. Wall glaze mix brushed over a different colour or tone a stippled will reveal glimpses of the colour below. A well prepared surface is essential – the technique emphasises any imperfection. It also needs a steady hand. Stippling brushes give the best results. An elegant effect, which ads subtle ageing to a room, it also looks good on wood panelling furniture and frames.
Recipe. Wall Glaze Mix: Step1. This preparation is made up of two parts. Firstly, soak earthborn pigment in quantities of 75grams to 225 grams into 500 mls of water. Leave to soak overnight and stir. Step2. Take 750 ml of earthborn wall glaze and dilute with 2.5 ltrs of water. Add the pigment preparation to the wall glaze mix, mix until the desired shade is reached. Materials. Earthborn claypaint or emulsion paint for basecoat, earthborn wall glaze and pigments, stippling brush – soft paint brush to apply wall glaze mix – pot to mix – cloth – decorator’s tape – ladder.
Suitable areas: All areas – less labour intensive on small areas such as furniture; ideal for a chimneybreast to create a dramatic focal point.
Technique: Step 1. Paint the base coat with earthborn emulsion or claypaint and leave to fully dry. Step 2. Prepare the wall glaze mix to the required shade as above recipe guide. Step3. Apply the second coat in one-metre sections, using a stippling brush with a light tapping of the bristles to achieve the desired finish.
TIP: To increase ‘open time’, particularly useful with large areas of claypaint, first dampen wall with mist spray before applying colour wash.
Dragging
Developed in the 18th century, dragging derives from the techniques of wood graining. Translucent wall glaze mix is brushed onto a base coat and a clean, long haired brush is drawn from top to bottom to reveal the base coat colour in a series of fine lines. Attempt it only on smooth surfaces – lumps and bumps spoil vertical lines.
Recipe. Wall Glaze Mix: Step1. This preparation is made up of two parts. Firstly, soak earthborn pigment in quantities of 75grams to 225 grams into 500 mls of water. Leave to soak overnight and stir. Step2. Take 750 ml of earthborn wall glaze and dilute with 2.5 ltrs of water. Add the pigment preparation to the wall glaze mix, mix until the desired shade is reached.
Ingredients. Earthborn claypaint or emulsion paint for the base coat, earthborn wall glace and pigments – sheet for floor – decorator’s tape – pot to mix – wide dragging brush – old cloth – large soft paint brush to apply wall glaze mix.
Suitable areas. All areas – furniture, cabinets and walls. In large or small quantities.
Technique Step 1. Paint the base coat in earthborn emulsion or claypaint and allow to dry overnight. Step 2. Before you begin, it is necessary to mask off areas you don’t want to paint, as this technique has to be achieved quite quickly and you have time to cut in next to the ceiling. Don’t forget to cover the floor too. Step 3. Prepare the glaze mix to a shade that will contrast nicely with the base colour you have chosen. Step 4. Apply the glaze mix and prepare to start brush dragging. To save time one person can apply the glaze mix by using a roller rather than a paintbrush in a 1 m wide sections, while the other person drags the brush down the surface. Use the largest dragging brush available. Step 5. It is impossible to drag the entire length of the wall in one stroke. Start by brushing vertically down from the ceiling as far as possible, then working from the bottom drag upwards, feathering the brush marks where the two strokes meet in the middle. Once you have started a wall you have to finish it, otherwise you will end up with a unsightly tide-line. Step 6. Remove excess glaze mix from the brush with each new stroke. Repeat until you have dragged the entire wall. Remove decorator tape and leave to dry thoroughly overnight.