Decorative Paint Application Techniques

Ragging

• Rag painting involves bunching a clean rag in your hand and dipping it into paint and dabbing or rolling it on a painted wall that is completely dry. The color of the paint you use to "rag" onto the wall may be a deeper or lighter shade of the base wall color or a different color completely. An alternate technique takes paint off of the wall. Roll a small section of fresh paint over the dry base color and bunch or roll a clean rag over the wet top coat to pull paint off the wall.

Dragging

• Dragging is a decorative paint application technique that simulates a natural linen texture on your wall. Dragging is accomplished by applying a stripe of transparent color wash or glaze over a freshly painted wall and pulling off the wet paint with a dry brush in vertical strokes. This technique removes fine stripes of color that allows the base wall color to show through, giving your walls depth of texture. This is a pleasing wall finish for a minimalist's taste.

Marbling

• Marbling is a decorative paint application technique that shows well on columns, mantels, moldings, lamp bases, vases and other surfaces that are typically crafted from marble. This technique requires practice to achieve the right mix of color and handcrafting style to effectively mimic the look of real marble. Some artists will study real marble and attempt to copy it so the faux painted piece appears to be real marble. Most decorators prefer the impressionistic or fantasy effect of marble. A base color is painted with a white or black oil-based paint that will be rubbed down when dry for a smooth-surface base. Choose complimentary colors to achieve your marble finish, such as shades of gray, green and silver, and apply them to your piece by ragging on and sponging off with a sponge dipped in mineral spirits. Or mix a tinted glaze and experiment with dabbing and softening color randomly on your painted surface. Apply veining to your piece with a small brush held loosely in your hand and stroked on with a "fidgety" touch. Seal your finished piece of art with a coat of glossy varnish.

Trompe l'oiel

• Trompe l'oiel is the French term for "to deceive the eye." This decorative paint application technique is best accomplished by true artists. Imagine painting in a faux bookshelf filled with the volumes and decorative touches that coordinate with your room's decor. Or paint in a window on a blank wall. A lush, English garden scene as a tub surround creates a beautiful area in a bathroom. Ceiling medallions painted around the base of a crystal chandelier add a pleasing architectural touch to your dining room.