How do I Pick the Right Colors for Faux Painting?

Choose a light color for your basecoat paint. Use a paint swatch book or paint chips to help you figure out what color will work best. Make sure it is at least a few shades lighter than your desired final result.

Apply your basecoat color to several heavyweight white boards. Use a foam roller for a smooth application. Apply two coats for good coverage. Allow the boards to dry for several hours or overnight.

Add a small amount of glaze to a mixing bowl. Color the glaze using acrylic paints or tints. Start out light and add more color to the glaze, as necessary. Blend the glaze and tint together thoroughly with a small brush.

Apply the glaze to your sample board with a foam roller. Use a handful of cheesecloth or clean cotton cloth to disperse the glaze, following the same procedure you plan to use on the wall. Remove the glaze from the sample board with a damp rag if you don't like the effect.

Remix the glaze to suit your taste. Keep track of any new colors you are adding, so you can duplicate your glaze color later.

Apply the remixed glaze to the sample board. Allow the samples you like to dry to see their final color. Glaze colors will look slightly different when dry.

Arrange all of the contending samples in the room that is going to be faux finished. Select the best look.