A Simple Faux Finishing Technique: Color Washing
By T. Hillukka
Photo: © Richard Foreman - iStockphoto
 Of all the faux finishing techniques, color washing is among the easiest to do. A color wash consists of simply covering a wall in paint, mixing a glazing liquid with another paint color, and brushing it on over the base coat. Sounds easy enough, doesn't it?
It is. If you would like to spruce up your home a little, but do not consider yourself the creative type, color washing may be the way to go. You do not need to be artistic to do a color wash. In just a few easy steps, you will be able to give your walls a whole new look with a soft and stylish appeal.
Materials you will need: at least 2 colors of latex paint, glazing liquid, brushes/rollers, trays, and a bucket for mixing the glaze in. Other materials may be used in preparation and cleanup. All of these materials can be found at a local paint store, such as Sherwin-Williams.
Step 1: Buy paint in a satin finish. Select at least two paint colors—they can be two different colors on the same strip, two complementary colors, or two of your favorite colors. A third color can be chosen to create extra dimension on the walls. A sales associate should be able to help you determine how much you will need of each product. Be sure to purchase any other materials you will need at the same time.
Step 2: Prepare the area by wiping the walls down, taping off adjacent walls, and laying down
|
drop cloths where needed. Open a can of paint (usually the lightest color you have chosen) and pour some paint into a roller tray. Roll the paint onto the wall. Optional: If the paint does not cover very well, apply a second coat.
Step 3: Once the base coat has dried (check the label on the can for drying times), open the second can of paint. In a clean bucket, mix one part paint to four parts glaze. It is usually helpful to practice somewhere else before applying the mixture to the wall—either on an extra piece of sheetrock or on an inconspicuous area of the wall. If it is not translucent enough for your taste, add some more glazing liquid. One part paint to eight parts glaze often creates a pleasing effect. Play around with it for a bit. But remember that it is extremely important to keep track of the exact amounts of paint and glaze you have mixed together, in case you need to make more.
Step 4: Dip a brush into the glaze mixture and apply it over the base coat in random, curved brush strokes. The more times you go over one area, the darker it will turn out. Do not let anyone else help apply the glaze coat. It will be obvious which walls each person has painted, as everyone has different styles of painting.
Step 5: If a third color is desired, repeat steps 3 and 4. If not, clean up and allow the paint to dry.
You have just successfully completed a color wash. Of all the faux finishing techniques, color washing is one of the easiest to do. It is not possible to ruin a color wash; all you have to do is paint, mix the glazing solution, and then paint some more. If you do not consider yourself very artistic, but would like to freshen up your walls with a faux finishing technique, color washing may be just the thing for you. |
