How to Paint Tile Backsplash and Stenciling

Painted Tile Backsplash

Materials and Tools:

acrylic paints (FolkArt by Plaid -- Country Twill, Linen, Barn Wood, Wicker White)
clear glazing liquid
paintbrushes
natural sea sponge
stencils
stencil brushes
painter's tape

Steps:

1. Mix three parts clear glazing liquid with one part of Country Twill. Apply it to the walls with a dry brush using a cross-hatching technique.

2. While still wet, use a damp sea sponge and a random motion to change the look of the texture from harsh lines to a soft mottled finish. Let dry.

3. Tape-off 1/4-inch grout lines, and then paint them in with undiluted Linen paint. Remove the tape as soon as they're done and let the lines dry (about an hour).

4. Tape-off the vertical grout lines and paint.

5. To add depth, paint some shadows and highlights. Make a lower L-shaped shadow along the left side and bottom edge of each tile using Barn Wood. Do the same thing on the opposite sides in Wicker White to simulate highlights. Put some strokes of white inside the tiles using soft diagonal brush strokes, which will help add dimension by creating a layering effect.

6. Use stencils to add the decorative design(s) as desired. Let dry.