Planning on trying a do-it-yourself specialty paint in some room of the house? Here are some helpful hints:
Washing a color or several colors onto a wall can change the appearance of a room dramatically. Simply washing the entire wall in a color or creatively painting a pattern onto it will certainly enhance the atmosphere.First, check to see if the wall is Sheetrock or plaster. If it is Sheetrock, which most are, it absorbs water, so more water can be used in the paint/water mixture. If it is a plastered wall, the water will tend to settle on top, so less water should be used. A good rule of thumb is 75 percent paint/25 percent water for Sheetrock and 90 percent to 10 percent for plaster.
Use a cellulose sponge, not a sea sponge, and wash the wall with the colors. The more water used, the more transparent the color will appear. The trick is to be sure and wring out the sponge so it is only damp - otherwise the color will run.
If an exact pattern, such as stripes or plaids, is to be used, trace the pattern, then tape around it. If the pattern is more of an abstract or loose design, taping is not necessary. Instead, a steady free-hand will do the trick. It is still a good idea to pencil in the pattern first, so there are outlines to follow. If the pattern is precise, a paint brush will be necessary as opposed to a sponge. The paint brush should be used just like the sponge as far as water/paint combination. It is always better to start out with less water/paint on the brush because more color can always be added.
For just a sponge-painted wall in a pale color, water is not even necessary. Just dip the sponge in the paint, scrape off all excess and dab away at the wall. The water is used if the paint needs to be less intense both in consistency or in color. After the sponging is complete, it might be nice to add another color with soft brush strokes, "carelessly" applied throughout the wall.
This careful abandon type of pattern will certainly create interest and adds a professional touch.
Imagination is the key to great wall paint. Just about anything becomes a painting tool. Try using a bird feather for a brush, cut out a sponge in the shape of a flower and sponge flowers all over the wall, a Teflon spatula might create interesting patterns and a comb will make grooves. Just about anything will work.
To try things out before applying to the wall, practice on a board of some sort. Best thing would be to buy a 4 by 8 piece of Sheetrock, paint it with a primer, then try out different techniques on it.