Painting Techniques With Glazes and Washes

When to Use a Glaze

• Glazes are typically more transparent than washes and produce a certain color glow when applied on walls. If using a technique that requires the paint to remain wet and workable for long periods, oil-based glazing works best. Longer drying time provides one of the biggest advantages to glazing. Due to its transparency, building layers on top of layers of color can produce some remarkable depth and texture. Oil-based paint will also last longer and provide a more durable paint surface. Clean up for oil-based paints requires thinners or other strong solvents.

When to Use a Wash

• Washes are better suited for those beginners who do not have a lot of experience with painting techniques. Washes appear more delicate than a glaze, are more opaque than oil-based glazes, will dry much faster and allow for little working time. Because they dry quickly, latex-based washes require preplanning. Test and practice your technique on a smaller board or similar surface to make sure you get it right before tackling a the large expanse of a wall. Latex paint also makes for an easier clean up with soap and water.

Sponge Painting

• This style of painting can work using an oil-based glazing technique or a water-based latex or acrylic wash technique. For either technique, two or three colors are selected. These colors need to be very close together on the color chart -- for example, a basic lemon yellow with a yellow just a few shades darker and one a few shades lighter. Paint the entire wall or room in the middle value color. Use a sea sponge to add the other colors creating an interesting texture. With a glaze, the other colors may be worked into the still-wet oil-based paint. With a wash, the base coat will dry quickly, and the other colors may be added over the base coat.

Rag Rolling

• This technique of glazing or washing paint color requires a bit more skill and dexterity. Take some additional time to practice getting this technique right on some scraps of wood or a wall board. This painting technique works best as a glaze, not a wash, as a glaze will allow more working. The technique begins by using a wad of rag, dipped in paint and dabbed onto the wall surface in small rosette patterns. The hardest part is creating a uniform look over the entire wall. Once the base coat is finished, start again with another rag using a slightly darker or lighter color, working the paint colors together and over one another. The final look adds combines texture and color to make a subtle depth of color not possible on plain painted walls.