Sponge Painting Techniques

From LoveToKnow Interior Design

Sponge painting techniques can turn your room from dull to eye catching. Sponge painting is relatively simple, but the results are sure to wow everyone. Here is what you need to know about sponge painting

Before Sponge Painting: What You Need

Before you delve into your sponge painting job, you should gather your supplies. You will need:

Two colors of paint: a base coat and the paint you will be using for the sponging. Measure your room and check the paint cans for guides on how far a can of paint stretches. If you're unsure, give your room measurements to someone at the paint store for help. Go for interior eggshell, flat or semi-gloss paint for both.

Faux glaze

Sponge – natural sea sponges are the best for this job

Paint tray

Brushes, rollers and stirring sticks

Masking tape to line the edges as you paint

Plastic gloves

Ladder

A note about choosing your base coat and faux glaze color: your base coat and glaze should not be too far apart in tone. If you go for drastically different color tones or richness of colors, your walls could come out looking sloppy.

Further, remember that mixing a dark glaze with a light base coat will make your room look dark. Match light glazes with light base coats, unless your goal is to darken the space or make it feel smaller.

Sponge Painting Techniques

With all of your supplies ready to go, you're ready to put your sponge painting techniques into action. Here's how to get the job done:

Get your space ready for painting. Sand the walls if necessary and remove any old wallpaper. Put a sheet or tarp down to protect your floors. Apply masking tape to the walls to protect your molding when you paint.

Paint your base coat. You will need to allow the base coat to dry completely before moving on to the sponging.

Mix your sponge color with the faux glaze. The more glaze you add, the darker the sponge color will be. A general rule of thumb is four parts glaze to one part paint, but you can adjust that to get the richness and depth you desire.

Take your sponge, dip into your paint and glaze mixture, and start sponging the walls. Note that your sponge should not be saturated with the mixture – tap away any excess. Start in the corners and work your way to the center of the walls, using random strokes and taps as you go. The sponge marks you create should be thin. Don't allow heavy pockets of paint to build up as they will make your wall look splotchy. Keep a light touch as you work your away around the room.

When you have completed the room, check for any missed spots or spots where you want to add a little more color. Take a small piece of sponge and follow the same procedure to make the corrections or get into corners.

Your sponge painting job should now be finished. All you have to do is wait for the paint to dry and marvel at your work.