How to Sponge Paint Camouflage Patterns

Preparation

• 1

  Locate an example of camouflage to use as a guideline. Whether it's a painted item, a piece of clothing or a photo, find the pattern that you like for the room.

• 2

  Choose three paint colors in a flat or eggshell latex paint. At least two paints should be different shades of the same color, like pale green and forest green. The third can be a contrast color, such as white or brown. If you're feeling ambitious, add a fourth contrast color like dark brown or black.

• 3

  Clear the area you will be working in. Cover the floor completely with a canvas or plastic tarp. Sponge painting is a messy project, so lay tarps or old sheets over any nearby furniture that might get sprayed with paint. See Tips section for more information.

• 4

  Fix any holes or cracks in the wall. Lightly sand the final surface until it is as smooth as possible.

• 5

  Use 2-inch-wide painter's tape along the ceiling line and on top of the baseboard to prevent paint bleeding onto those areas. Frame out any door and window trim with the tape. If you are only doing an accent wall, tape the entire corner edge where the painted and unpainted walls meet.

• 6

  Set out all the materials you will need on the tarp next to you. Tear small pieces off of one sponge, to use in the tighter corners. For smaller wall patterns, tear large sponges in half.

Painting

• 7

  Use the lightest color to paint the entire wall. Cut in at the ceiling line, baseboard and corners first. Follow up with the roller. Allow the paint to completely dry.

• 8

  Hometime recommends a mix of 1 part water and 8 parts paint for the sponge coats. The thinned paint is easier to manipulate. If you're using a less expensive, thinner paint, skip this step.

• 9

  Put on plastic gloves. Choose the color you want to be most prominent. Dip the largest, flattest part of the sponge into the paint.

• 10

  Apply the sponge to a spare piece of cardboard to dab off the excess paint. When the imprints on the cardboard resemble the look you want, apply the sponge to the wall.

• 11

  Press the sponge lightly to the wall. For most camouflage patterns, you can use a bit of a heavier hand than sponge painting usually requires. Turn your hand and apply the sponge at different angles each time, to avoid too linear of a pattern. Keep using the same side of the sponge, however. Switching partway through the wall can cause a jarring change in the camouflage design.

• 12

  Using your camouflage sample as a guideline, connect some of the sponge prints to create the larger blocks of color. Step back from the wall periodically to see how your design is progressing, and where you may need to fill in or alter the direction of the imprints.

• 13

  Keep the border irregular at the edges of the wall. You don't want the larger blocks of color to all end at exactly the same place, creating a noticeable line.

• 14

  Use the smaller pieces of sponge to fill in the color at the edges and corners. Press the sponge lightly into the corner at random intervals. This keeps the pattern flowing onto the next wall. For accent walls, sponging the corner will result in half of the pattern ending up on the painter's tape. Once the tape is removed, this will create a perfect scattered design that seems to disappear off the edge of the wall.

• 15

  Once you are satisfied with the main pattern, let the paint dry completely. Use a different sponge for your third color. Try a smaller, more irregular section of the sponge.

• 16

  Apply the color sparingly to the wall, once again twisting the sponge in a different direction for each print. Let the color overlap the previous design in some areas, and remain separate in others. Depending upon the design you have chosen, you may want to connect these prints as well for larger blocks of color.

• 17

  Step back frequently to assess your design, and make changes as necessary. Avoid any big contrasts of pattern, but don't be afraid of imperfection and randomness. Sponge painting is an organic, free-flowing process and does not need to be perfectly uniform across the entire wall.

• 18

  Repeat the process for a fourth color if necessary. Keep the pattern sparse, particularly if you are using a dark color or stark contrast. You don't want the accent to overpower the main pattern.

• 19

  Let the wall dry completely before putting the furniture back into the room.