This September I’m starting a paint meme –
A Passion for Paint.Any paint projects are welcome – furniture, walls, spray painting, crackle – you name it! So, please check back!
Daily Inspiration
Feng Shui – Walls connect Heaven (ceiling) and Earth (floor). When they’re taller than 10 feet it moves ‘Heaven’ too far upward. Add a decorative touch to bring the wall height down. Line up pictures. Add molding or shelving. Anything that divides the wall space.
Before I started painting murals, I did faux finishes back in 1995. Or, let’s just say I tried. After a year or two, I soon realized that faux finishing is an art form, in and of itself. That being said, I stick to simple color washes.
Supplies for a wash are pretty basic –
- latex or acrylic paint
- glaze or Floetrol
- water bucket
- two rags – one for glaze, one for water
- foam brush to get into the corners and tight spots
- Latex gloves
Glaze Mixture
First I pour some paint into the bucket, then add about twice as much glaze as paint, then add water – about the same amount as paint.
Application
There are three ways to apply a glaze –
- positive application – applying glaze with rag, roller or brush and manipulating with rag
- negative application – after glaze is applied to wall, remove parts of glaze with damp rag
- positive/negative combination – this is what I use.
I apply the glaze with my rag or foam brush, take the same rag with glaze, and smoosh it around. Then I take a damp, relatively clean rag and remove parts of the glaze, which allows the basecoat to show through.
I say ‘clean’ rag because I periodically rinse it in water. Then it’s a matter of how much pressure you apply to the wall. More pressure = more glaze removal. Simple. Really!
This wall was tricky because there was light streaming down from a skylight in the ceiling – 20 feet up. I should’ve just left it until the sun changed position, but I didn’t.
This is the ‘after’ – really a bit too dark. But we’ll have to see once the entire space is done. As you can tell, the scaffold isn’t set up yet so I just started on the bottom half of the wall. Not recommended, believe me. Always start at the top!
This front pony wall is in the dining area. Behind it is a stairwell. The wash looks awfully dark here too. It’s a hard space because of all the windows. Lots of reflections, shadows, direct light. It can change in a matter of 15 minutes!
The house is being totally renovated and there are all kinds of contractors on site. I wanted to share some of the extraordinary views from the main rooms I’m painting in.
Here is a bank of windows in the living room.
Another bank of windows. I’m standing in the dining area which steps down to another area. The walls are a deep, deep brown.
Here’s a pretty good shot of what you look down upon – a gorgeous golf course, nestled in a valley among the foothills in El Dorado County.
One last picture today – this is walking up to the front door. Obviously, the homeowners are avid golfers with this putting green right in their front yard!
Colleen
Oh this will be such a great link!!! I’ll for sure be here for your party! Loving your blog! Have a great afternoon!
~Terrell @ FFD~
Wow, Colleen! You make it look so easy! Thank you for breaking it down and giving me the confidence to try a faux wash on my walls!
You always do such a great job! Thanks so much for sharing your tips with us at Anything Related!
{Rebekah}
Great post!!!!