How to Use Glazing Techniques in Painting Walls

Paint the entire wall with a latex-based paint. At the end of the glazing process, the base color will be the dominate color of the wall.

Paint a scrap piece of wood the same color as the painted wall. This painted scrap will provide a practice surface for testing glazing colors, application materials and methods.

Choose a glaze in a coordinating color. Depending on the glaze color chosen, the glaze will add either highlights or lowlights to the finished wall. Highlights are created by choosing a glaze that is lighter than the base color. Lowlights are created by choosing a glaze color that is darker than the base color.

Choose a glazing application material. Items such as cotton cloths, dry paintbrushes, crumpled plastic bags or sponges can be used. Each provides a different glazed appearance.

Practice applying the glaze to the practice surface. Try using different application materials to determine which material produces the desired look.

Place a small amount of glaze on the application material by dipping it in the glaze. The material can then be pounced on the lid of the can to work it into the application material.

Apply the glaze by pouncing it randomly on the painted surface. Continue pouncing and feathering the glaze until the desired look is created. The feathering process can be simplified by dipping the glazing material in a bowl of water, creating a diluted glaze.

Begin glazing the painted wall after the glazing technique has been mastered on the scrap material.