By Julie Lohmeier
In the last 10 years, faux painting techniques have gone fromobscure to popular, from the realm of professionals todo-it-yourself projects. These techniques are not difficultalthough they can be time consuming (what decorating orremodeling project isn’t though) and require quick hands.
Called “faux” painting because these techniques mimic or createa false look of stone, texture, leather, and more, you will findthat the styles fall into one of two types: additive orsubtractive. Additive (also called positive) techniques simplymean that you add color onto the wall. Sponging is the mostcommon of this type. Conversely, subtractive (also referred toas negative) techniques means you take paint off after it hasbeen applied. Ragging is a common subtractive technique. Mostnegative techniques use glazes and require that you move quicklybefore the glaze dries.
When it comes to glazes, there are two types: latex (waterbased) or oil based. Latex is by far easier since it cleans upwith soap and water, but oil based glazes provide longer workingtimes and generally provide a harder, more durable finish.However, for do-it-yourselfers, I recommend latex glazes andworking in small areas at a time. I have also seen solutionsthat you can add to the glaze to lengthen the working time. Foryour first glazing job, you may well want to consider using thisadditive available at finer paint supply stores.
Here are the various type of faux painting techniques:
Sponging: Probably the easiest method, you apply paint to a wallwith a natural sea sponge. It provides a richly textured look.In addition to good looks, it’s a simple way to camouflage anuneven or repaired crack wall. Use a couple of colors over thebase paint to add greater depth. Be bold or subtle; it’s up toyou. You can use glaze or paint just as easily with thistechnique. I’ve seen this done in a negative manner, but it ismost commonly performed as a positive method.
Ragging/Rag rolling: Typically a negative technique, you paint atinted glaze over the base painted walls. The glaze should betinted darker than the base coat, keeping in the same colorfamily as the glaze allows some color through it as well. Eitheruse a wadded up dry rag or twist a rag into a cylinder. Then dabor roll the rags to remove the glaze. You can use one or twocolors over the base coat. You may also do this in a positivemethod like sponging for a softer look and texture.
Color Washing: In this additive technique, you apply the tintedglaze mixture over the base coat using a circular motion as ifyou were washing the wall. Use rags for a very soft look or anatural sea sponge for a more textured appearance.
Strié: Create a historical and aged texture to the wall, withthis negative method. Roll tinted glaze over the base coat, thenuse a wall paper brush to make fine lines from top to bottom.The glaze should be darker than the base coat to allow thelighter base to show through the fine lines.
Striping: The only difficult part of this positive technique isgetting your stripes straight. Be sure to use a level or drop aplumb line. Tape off your stripes, then paint every other onewith glaze. If you use a bold color, you do not need to tint theglaze to get a delightful two-tone effect. For softer colors,you may wish to slightly darken the glaze although it is notnecessary. This technique may also be combined with colorwashing as you color wash the stripes for more interest andtexture. Of course, for a more dramatic look, you can use paintin complementary or various colors.
Dry Brushing: This is a positive method in which you use a smallamount of paint on a brush in herringbone patterns to create thetexture. You will need tow or three colors to achieve the bestresults.
Frottage: Using plastic sheets for this negative method, tintedglaze is applied over the base coat and then plastic sheets areapplied and smoothed over the glaze. Once the wall is done, theplastic sheets are removed for a marbling effect.
Faux finishes can provide interest and texture to your rooms –and less expensively than wall paper. While you may need toblock out a full day to do the work, by the end of the day, youcan sit back and admire the rich, luxurious look of your newroom
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