How to Marbleize Walls With Just Paint

Paint the entire wall in a base color using a paint roller. For light-colored walls, your base coat should be white or tinted white. For deep-toned marble, the base coat will be a very dark version of the marble color, or even black for an extremely striking effect. Let this coat dry overnight before proceeding.

Combine two more colors on the wall to achieve the base of your marbleized effect. These colors should be the same shade, with one just slightly darker than the other. Apply these two colors to the wall in a random pattern using a 3-inch paintbrush. Alternate between the two colors and allow the base beneath the shades to show through in places as well.

Blend the paint colors using a sponge, a plastic bag or combination of the two. The finished effect should be a seamless combination of the three complementary colors with no distinguishable brush strokes. Consult a picture of real marble to help you visualize the look you’re going for. Blend the paint colors while they’re still wet, then wait for this layer to dry before proceeding to the next step.

Mix the darkest of your three paints with glaze using 4 parts glaze to 1 part paint. Add veins to the marbleized walls in this color with a dagger brush. Drag the fine edge of the brush over the walls in a jagged, uneven pattern to make veins in the marble.

Mix the lightest color of your paint selection with glaze, as above using 4 parts glaze to 1 part paint. Lightly dip an undyed turkey feather in the light-colored glaze. Drag the feather over the wall in short strokes, making a random pattern of lightly feathered marks over the surface of the marble. If any of the feathered areas appear too harsh, soften the effect lightly with a sponge.

Wait for all the paint effects to dry completely. When the effect is totally dry and you are satisfied with the results, finish the wall with a clear coat of varnish to seal the look.