How to Make Drywall Stomps

Pour thinned drywall compound into a large roller pan. You can use powdered compound or premixed compound; thin it with water until it reaches the consistency of thick cream.

Attach an extension pole to a paint roller handle and cover the roller with thinned compound. This is drippy business so dress appropriately and lay out drop cloths as needed.

Roll an area of the ceiling about 3 feet by 3 feet, covering it uniformly with a 1/8-inch-thick layer of compound. The best way to do this is to roll on the compound in one direction then roll another layer at a right angle to the first layer. Don’t press the roller into the ceiling. Roll lightly.

Attach another extension pole to a stomp brush. A stomp brush, also called a slap brush or a crow’s foot, is a long-bristled utility brush with a round, square or rectangular head. The bristles on a stomp brush splay outward from the center of the brush.

Stand directly below the rolled compound and hold the stomp brush vertically, with the splayed bristles about 1 foot below the ceiling. Use one hand to hold the pole steady while the other hand holds the bottom of the pole.

Thrust the brush upward quickly and smack the wet compound but don’t hold it there. Let it fall immediately back to the starting position. The stomp pattern requires quick slaps of the brush.

Turn the bottom of the extension pole 1/4-turn and move slightly to one side. Stomp the ceiling again. The second stomp should overlap the edge of the first stomp.

Repeat the stomping action, turning the pole and moving slightly each time to create a random stippled effect over the wet texture.

Continue rolling and stomping the pattern over the rest of the ceiling.