How to create decorative paint techniques
When you are decorating your home, you always have to think about the painting to use. You have to consider how to make the colors look great and have a creative design. Choosing a decorative painting technique can make even the dullest colors stand out. But choosing what technique to use is never easy. There are a few and simple ones that you can use yourself without getting a professional in to help you.
Some effects can be used to add detail, such as stenciling. Others like the sponging technique are used to decorate whole walls or rooms, using a discontinuous topcoat of color to create depth and texture.
Stenciling
Stencils are normally made from acetate or cardboard and can be bought ready-to-use, or you can cut your own. Any paint can be used for stenciling, but water-based options are the best choice since they dry quickly.
Using a stencil is quite simple. Attach the stencil to the surface with low-tack painter’s tape. Use a stenciling brush in an up-and-down motion to apply the paint. Then remove the stencil carefully and choose another stencil location randomly, or simply create a regular pattern. To make the technique stand out even more, you can focus the paint more on one are to bring out an effect.
Pick out a pattern that will bring unique look. It’s all about experimenting and finding a look that works for you using the stencils.
The Sponging Technique
The sponging technique can involve two different colors or one color and one glaze. When picking colors, think of the effect each will have when looked at from afar. Go for something that will not be blinding to look at
Remember to use the correct kind of sponge. The sea sponge is the best choice as it gives you a far softer and natural finish. With this technique there are two different ways of going about it: sponging on and sponging off. With sponging on, you paint a base coat first and then dip your sponge into the glaze before applying it to the surface you are decorating. The sponging off technique entails lightly rolling on the glaze and then using a damp sponge to remove some of it. If you remove too much glaze you can fix it by simply rolling on some more. The sponging off technique is the best method to use since you can fix any mistakes made.
Using tape and paint to get a patterned finish
Sometimes you want your walls to have decorative patterns. You can paint the walls to get this effect by using masking tape and at least two colors of the same family.
When choosing the colors, go for shades in the same family. You could go for a shade of red and work with a darker or lighter color from the same family to go along with it. Whatever you choose should be something that will reflect your taste and personality. Be adventurous but don’t go overboard with your selection.
Once you have picked your colors, the next decision is about the direction your stripes should take; vertical or horizontal. Vertical strips that are all identical in size can sometimes put you at risk of getting a circus-tent look, depending on your choice of colors. You should vary the width of your strips to avoid this from happening. Be creative with the tape and create a color blocking effect. Do not limit it to one simple pattern.
Deciding on painting techniques can be hard. There are too many to pick from. What you need to remember is that it is a fun process. If you think of it that way, you should have no problem putting the techniques to use.
