Materials: paint for base coat and trim (Electric Light 8C-1)
paint for top/washing coat (discontinued: Texas Two Step 19-O-2)
rags (terry cloth or sturdy paper shop towels)
painter's tape
level
pencil
Steps:
- When you select your colors for the masking technique, usually the base coat color is the brightest of the two. This extra strength allows it to be seen through the top masking coat. This will also double as your "grout" color, so keep that in mind. For the base coat finish I recommend a Satin Paint, because it is smooth, and the sheen makes it easier to apply the top coat paint. You may use other finishes if you like. Flat sheens will stick and create a more rubbed appearance, whereas semi-gloss finishes will remain very smooth and pick up less topcoat color. Let the basecoat dry at least 24 hours before starting the next step.
- Decide how large you would like your bricks to be. You can do them small, like ordinary red bricks, or large like cement blocks. Keep in mind how large your room is--if 12" wide blocks with 1 1/2" grout leaves a 2" wide brick at the top, you may want to readjust your sizes. If you are doing small, red brick sized blocks, use a smaller width masking tape--perhaps only a 1/2" size. Larger blocks can use larger "grout", so you can go up to the 1" or 1 1/2" wide tapes. Designing the brick layout and taping it off is the hardest part of this project, so be sure to think it all through before you begin. And be sure you have enough tape--depending on the size of your project you will probably go through at least 4 rolls.
- Now start by using your level and tape measure and tick off the placement of your grout lines. Be really careful here, you don't want your brick wall to slope one way or the other! Start at one edge, and moving down, measure the width of one brick and make a mark. Measure the width of the grout and make a mark, then measure the brick, etc. Go back and place up your tape, being sure to press down on the edges really well (you don't want paint seeping under!).
- Once the base coat has dried for the recommended time as listed on the paint can label, begin the washing technique. Tape-off baseboards, doors and window trim to keep from painting everything in sight. You may even want to tape-off the ceiling and adjoining walls. Get terry cloth or shop towel damp, bunch it up, dip it into the top coat paint, and go directly to the wall. Use a swirling motion to apply the top coat as lightly or heavily as desired. It's a good idea to work from top to bottom and left to right as you move across a wall. Don't stop once started on a wall because as the paint dries, it can create overlap marks.
- Every once in a while, step back to make sure that the swirl size is consistent. Beautiful little swirls can get out of hand and become tornadoes!
- Step back and admire your masterpiece. Remember, it really is a one-of-a-kind piece of art!
Color Advice
The best results come from one of two theories. The first being selecting two colors that are similar, or next to each other on the color wheel, like a gold and a rust. The brighter gold as the base coat with the rust swirled over it is a great combination. Another example of this theory would be a green and a blue. It seems like the green is a weaker color than the blue, and therefore it works better as the base coat like the gold in the other example. One more thought about this theory--both colors need to be about the same lightness or darkness for the technique to be successful.
The second theory is that washes always seem to work when they involve a white of some sort matched with a color. The color can be either the base coat or the washing coat, but as you can imagine, the results will be quite different. The white on top softens, or puts hazy clouds over the chosen color. In reverse, the color stands very strong on the white.
For an adobe look:
Dilute the washing top coat slightly, perhaps one part water to three parts latex paint. Wash the top coat on, following the directions above, and while the paint is still wet on the walls, go back over it with a clean damp rag. This allows you to soften the look further, helping the top to blend in more with the base. Some areas should be darker than others, so if the wall starts to look too uniform, wash some more top coat on in spots. (In this project, Rolling Hills, model 25-Y-1, was used for the base coat and Hoop Skirt, model 27-Y-1, was used for the top coat. Both colors have been discontinued by the manufacturer.)
Additional tips:
- Rinse out the towel you are using, or replace it when it gets saturated with paint.
- This technique can be embellished by putting press-on letters on the base coat, then washing over and removing the press-ons to reveal a favorite saying or family names!
)
)
