How Is the Stippling Technique Achieved in Painting?

Surface preparation

• The surface to be painted or glazed must be properly prepared by cleaning the surface with the detergent, removing dirt and grease. Use a light detergent and mix it with water, if desired, to keep the solution light enough to be spread over the surface easily while still providing blemish removal.

Base coat

• A coat of primer must be applied to the surface to be painted or glazed. The base coat can actually be the same as the stippling substance if paint is to be used. If glaze is to be used for the stippling, a base coat of latex primer should be applied. Apply the base coat evenly and allow it to dry.

Paint or glaze

• The primed surface must be painted or glazed with the paint brush. The paint should be oil-based, but the glaze can be either oil- or water-based. When stippling with glaze, a variety of glaze can be used. Thin out oil-based paint by adding mineral spirits -- three parts oil based paint to one part mineral spirits. Thin out latex paint by adding water -- four parts water to one part paint.

Stippling

• The surface is stippled by applying the paint or glaze to the paint brush and hitting the surface directly in stabbing motions. Twelve-inch sections of the surface should be done to create separate patterns within the overall pattern of the surface. Alternatively, if using glaze, apply one or two different types of glaze.

Protection

• Protect the stippling once it is complete by applying a coat of low-luster satin varnish after the stippling job has dried for at least a day. To brighten colors in a stippling job, use polyurethane to protect the job.