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Painting Rag rolling

This is considered a basic painting technique. The effect is achieved by lifting some of the topcoat of painting colour from the basecoat (usually a lighter shade such as cream or a pastel) with a scrunched-up rag which has been soaked in solvent. A random textured effect is created as the lighter painting basecoat is revealed beneath the darker painting topcoat.

• Working on a clean, dry surface, apply the painting basecoat and allow it to dry. Apply the painting topcoat sparingly. It can be thinned to achieve the desired translucence.
• Using the solvent-dipped painting rag scrunched into a sausage shape, simply roll lightly across the freshly painted surface, removing as much of the paintingtopcoat as you can to create the desired effect. The action is rather like rolling pastry with a rolling pin.
• Work on a small area at a time and discard the rag for a fresh piece once it has become too loaded with paint. Work in strips for ease of application and uniformity.
• When dry, apply a painting coat of clear polyurethane for protection.

Painting Dragging

This method is similar to that for painting rag rolling except that a wide brush is the tool used and this is literally dragged vertically over awash of painting colour. The effect achieved is one of even painting texture. It is important to work with a painting topcoat that has been thinned down to the correct consistency. Oil-based paints are ideal because they don’t dry as quickly and will not run.

• The painting project is best tackled by two people — one applying the strip of colour wash, the other dragging the brush down the wet painting surface.
• [21 Work around vertical lines. Begin dragging where a natural vertical exists, for example, on a drawer or cupboard door.
• Clean the painting brush on a rag after every few dragging strokes and clean excess paint off the surface before it has a chance to accumulate and dry.
• A coat of clear polyurethane should be added for protection once the painting surface is completely dry.

Painting Sponging and Stippling

The painting techniques used for these effects are similar — one uses a sponge, the other a stiff, circular stippling brush — but the results are quite different. Sponging a painting colour onto a washed surface achieves a soft, country-style look, whereas stippling gives a more controlled effect. Both are ideal for medium-sized pieces such as a timber chest, a bedside table or corner cabinet. Polyurethane can be used to protect the painting finish.

Painting Special effects

A close relation to painted finishes are the special effects which can be achieved with paint. Some of the most popular include stenciling, decoupage and trompe l’oeil finishes such as marbling. A little more painting precision is required with these techniques but the results can be sensational.

The sorts of items suitable for stenciling or some form of faux finish include smaller chests of drawers, timber trunks or chests, bedside cabinets, spice racks and so on. A variety of painting surfaces can be worked on: prepared timber, old or new, is ideal but metal and even glass can also be decorated this way.

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