Paint Technique: Colorwashing

Give your walls a quick seasonal accent with a technique that gives new meaning to washing the walls for spring.

Related To:

Materials and Tools:

hrrs4s05_4_bluecolorwash

hrrs4s05_4_bluecolorwash

Give your walls a quick seasonal accent with a technique that gives new meaning to washing the walls for spring.

Give your walls a quick seasonal accent with a technique that gives new meaning to washing the walls for spring.

white athletic socks
blue painter's tape
paint
paint tray with liner
long level
pencil
acrylic craft paint

Steps:

1. Use a level and light pencil to mark the desired area you plan to add color to, and then tape-off around the outside of the box.

2. Dilute a small amount of paint with water (two cups of paint to 1/2 cup water) in a paint tray and stir well.

3. Dip the tip of the sock into the paint and dab the excess off. Use circular motions to fill in the taped-off area, creating soft swirls of lighter and darker color. This variance is what gives the washing technique so much character. If desired, add to the technique in places that seem too light to make the overall appearance as even or as mottled as you like.

4. Remove the tape, and then outline the box using a small brush and coordinating acrylic craft paint.

Keep Reading

Next Up

Decorative Paint Technique: Colorwashing Wall Instructions

From our online exclusive Decorative Paint Techniques with Danielle Hirsch of Color Splash . Colorwashing is a subtle aged effect perfect for almost any room in the house. Follow these instructions from Danielle Hirsch.

Liven Up Your Walls with a Color Wash

Faux painting techniques energize a room with color and texture and can change the look of a room from drab to dynamic.

Sculpt a Textured Clay Watering Pitcher

James Wolberg creates a watering pitcher by joining two clay pots together.

How to Make a Heart-Shaped Clay Rattle

Make a puffed up clay rattle decorated with stamped clay and a glaze of your choice.

Turn a Wall Into a Work of Art With Paint

Create a one-of-a-kind painted mural to enliven any room.

How to Make a Mixed Media Photo Collage on Canvas

Photocopy a favorite photo to serve as the centerpiece of this mixed media collage project.

How to Make a Quilt Clamp Hanger

Build wooden clamps to hold a large quilt securely in place with these simple steps.

Eye Dropper Drawings

Draw a series of faces from a photo reference, using only an eyedropper and toilet paper.

Courtesy of Etsy.com

Wood Slice Wall Hanging

Here's a great idea for a mid-century modern wall hanging piece. There's a lot you can do with a log.

Courtesy of Etsy.com

Make Your Own Monogrammed String Art

String art used to be straight out of the '70s, but there's a new graphic version that's back in a big way. Learn how to make your own modern monogrammed string art in just a few easy steps.