Do It Yourself Decorative Wall Painting

• 
  make sure the surface is clean of




• dirt


• grime


• dust


• mildew




• and dry (after washing)


• all the indents need to be filled and smoothed (sanded) to become flush with the rest of the surface


• tough stains that might bleed through the newly applied coat of paint should be blocked prior to painting with appropriate primer

• dragging means drawing a dragging brush (or long haired paint brush) from top to bottom of smooth surface with long vertical strokes, maintaining even pressure and keeping brush strokes as parallel as possible


• distressing is creating an aged look, using several layers of paint, sand paper and clear lacquer


• marbling is imitating real marble's colors and veining


• sponging is applying a wash or glaze on top of solid base paint color with a dampened natural sea sponge to procreate a mottled look


• ragging and rag-rolling means blotting with crumpled natural fiber cloth (like linen, burlap, lace and such), dipped in glaze or wash on top of solid color base to achieve the look of crushed velvet, parchment, chamois leather, watered silk or brocade


• stippling is a technique of breaking-up the wall color into a mass of tiny dots to add richness to the finish


• paneling is decorating the walls with panels


• broken color is applying broken layers of any chosen variety of colors over a different base coat which creates mottled or textured effect

1. The choice of complementary colors - the ones that are opposite from one another on the color wheel - are the best to create a PLAYFUL, FUN look. Examples: yellow and violet, blue and orange, green and red.


2. Different tones of the same color (same shade, different intensity) create SOPHISTICATED impression.


3. For SUBTLE appeal choose colors that are next to each other on the color chard.


4. DRAMATIC LOOK IS EASILY ACHIEVED WITH two or three harmonious colors and an accent hue of either black or white.


5. Colors of the same value/intensity generate HARMONY or BALANCE. Example: colors that are in the same position on several color cards - like third down from the top.


6. When using colors of varying intensities, keep in mind that brighter hue conceives a BOLD look, while using more of the lighter one will be more SOOTHING.

Photo "Complementary colors" - courtesy of Hannibal Poenaru

• Simple and to the point summary of psychology of colors will help you choose colors that compliment the purpose of every living area.


• If you decide to mix your colors at home, using white/off-white base and adding tint, this digital color wheel might help.


• The best place to pick your favorite color, accompanied by five matching shades is ColorBlender. It offers complete palettes that can be used in any kind of decorating, color-matching, web design and more.


• With Color Smart color chart you can experiment to choose and decide on your favorite palette according to your liking - and even order 8 oz. samples (which is enough paint to cover approximately 4' by 6' area) of your chosen colors to try out at home or even finish your interior painting project.

• around the centerpiece, hanging on the wall, like:




• wreath or swag


• clock


• framed art piece


• photo


• poster


• or any other kind of wall decor





• above, behind or around the furniture


• around the door or window


• around shape/figure in the middle

1. If you ever and for any reason have to stretch the color, especially while painting smaller areas, use the paintbrush instead of roller. With brushes, your paint will cover a lot bigger area, guaranteed.


2. When painting geometrical designs, using masking tape to designate the painting areas of your chosen shades, some color-bleeding might happen. Yet, there's no need to worry about it in this scenario. While observing the whole picture, bleeding is hardly noticeable. At the same time, this small imperfection actually softens the edges of the stiff forms.


3. For painting details use a paintbrush - as thin as you can lay your hands on. It will make your painting easier and much more precise. Not to mention nicer looking...


4. Two coats of paint will give you better coverage, brighter color and even some texture - 3D look


5. If you're mixing your shade yourself keep in mind that most colors dry darker than they look before you apply them on the wall.


6. To use your favorite picture or photo as a wall painting, use Photoshop program to change it into lines-only. Using projector, project it on the wall, trace - and you're ready to paint.


7. To achieve ever-changing effects use glossy/semi-gloss paint for background and non-glossy for your pattern (or the other way around). Depending on the light, that might add to your wall some additional interesting effects.

• faux finish is textured finish, imitating granite, Venetian plaster, faux stone and more


• color blocking is painting (usually three or more) colors in various-sized squares and/or rectangles (blocks) on the wall


• harlequin design is achieved by painting an elongated diamond pattern on lighter, low sheen background


• faux fireplace means creating "fireplace" - using paint


• clouds means painting clouds with rolled up cotton rag and latex glaze on (sky) blue background


• faux stone finish is another artistic invention of creating stone-like areas, using paint


• dapple color effects are patches of color or shade, applied against a differently colored background paint