Tawn Gale

I’m just confused on applying the paint. I need Sponge Paint instructions.

I have a base satin base already, do I dab the corner of the sponge with paint or all the sponge? And when I’m done with that do I go over it with clear latex paint using a sponge? Or do I Just mix half paint and half clear?

Faux Fun: Sponge Painting Video

Hi!

It sounds to me like you want to sponge paint on your walls, yes? Okay…

You want the surface of the sponge – a good sea sponge – to be covered with the paint. Not just a “corner”.

Have your paint in a shallow pan like a cake pan or you can have it in a paint tray.

1. Dampen your sea sponge. Just damp, not soaking wet.

2. Tap the sponge in the paint then tap the sponge on the tray portion that is “dry” to off load some of the paint.

3. You can “test” the print of the sponge on a piece of paper or posterboard. If only a few specks show up you need more paint. If a “muddy wet print” is left then you have to much paint on the sponge and need to dab off the excess before starting on your wall.

4. Now start tapping your wall. Remember to make random/haphazard taps on your wall and don’t tap in a line.

Overlap and make vine like patterns to avoid straight up and down “lines” of sponge blobs.

photo credit: CJ Sorg

Turn your hand left and right to change the angle of the sponge, often, as well.

Make sure to overlap your sponge blobs so they aren’t a single layer, but have depth.

Most importantly, DO NOT work from one side of the wall to the other or your overall/end result will be very patchy looking.

Work the whole wall at the same time.

Think vines or tree branches reaching across the wall. Then slowly fill in the entire surface.

You don’t need to apply a “clear latex” paint to your wall if you are using latex paint to sponge on the wall, but you can.

Wait until your sponge paint has dried completely (like the next day) and then you can simply roll a clear latex (I like Minwax Polycrylic) over the walls.

Hope this is helpful sponge paint instructions! THAT Painter Lady, Tawn.

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This is a pretty aggressive project.. even to explain it is almost impossible. THAT Painter Lady – Tawn shows how to paint faux interior pillars… and makes it look so easy.

My next project is to paint matching columns on each side of my front door, if you have any suggestions of how to go about doing this, I am all ears!!

I want to paint them on each side of my front door in the foyer of my house. I live in a split level house and the foyer is VERY tall and I want something to make it not boring. I am new at this decorative
painting stuff, but have been told that I have a knack for it??

So anyhoo, I just want matching columns something kinda easy. I have an overhead projector to use but am still not sure how to go about it. I will send pics of my foyer but cant right now cause hubby is asleep on the couch HaHa!!

Hi Erika! Painting faux columns isn’t that difficult, but with a two story foyer it could be a challenge! You’ll need scaffolding so you can work the wall up and down. It’s easier than an extension ladder but you can use that as well.

In order to get a nice straight line for the “sides” of your columns you will want to either use a piece of poster paper (trimmed, if necessary, to the width you want your columns) or a contractor’s chalk line. I honestly don’t know if a chalk line will reach “two stories” but it should.

Okay..let’s start with what you’ll need:

1. Level

2. Chalk line or poster board cut to the width you want your columns

3. A weight to tie to the end of the chalk line (a heavy washer from Lowes or Home Depot will work)

4. A push pin to secure the top of the chalk line and the bottom

5. A water color pencil or piece of children’s chalk if you decided to use the poster board

6. Paints – The main color plus black and white. You’ll need to create at least 3 or 4 shades (4 shades of brown or 4 shades of green or 4 shades of whatever color you want your columns to be) of your color using black and/or white to give the columns depth.

7. A small roller to fill in the main portion of the columns

8. Multiple brushes and sponges (especially a liner brush and/or a feather)

9. Paper plates or plastic bowls for your palette(s)

10. Saran wrap and paper towels

And of course water.

First you need to draw the columns on the wall.

Basically a column is two straight lines approximately 12 to 18 inches apart. You can secure your chalk line at the top of your wall using a staple gun or a push pin. Tie a large washer to the other end of the chalk line and let it down to the floor. Go down to the floor and pull the chalk line taught, securing it with your thumb/fingers or another push pin and then *snap* the line against the wall.

The weight will have drawn the line down the wall in a straight line and so you now have a nice straight line down the wall to guide you. Repeat on the other side of your “column” about 12 to 18 inches from the first line. Then repeat on the other side of your front door.

If you don’t have a chalk line and don’t want to buy one (and really unless you are going to be using it a lot why would you?) another way to draw straight lines down the wall is to secure a regular string at the top with a push pin. Weight the other end and lower it to the floor. You want it to just dangle above the floor not touch it so you now it’s “hanging” straight down. Go down to the weighted end and while it is hanging there push it against the wall (carefull not to push it to one side or the other) and secure it.

Then take your poster board (cut to the size of column you want – and for a two story foyer I would do at LEAST an 18″ wide column) and use it like a pattern. Put it against the roof line on the top and against – gently not pushing – the string on the right or left. Using a piece of children’s sidewalk chalk or a watercolor pencil draw your lines on either side. Move the poster board down and draw the lines again…all the way down to the floor. Now you should have two “mostly straight” lines down the wall.

Drawing The Cap and Base of a Pillar

You’ll also want to draw the cap and base for each column. You can do this by drawing a rectangle at the top and bottom of each column. It should extend at least 4″ to each side of the column and should be at least that wide.

You can draw one rectangle right up against the ceiling to “secure” your column and then a second one slightly smaller rectangle against that one to give your column some pizazz. If you want to get really fancy separate the two rectangles by at least 2″ and then using a bottle cap or measuring cup as your guide draw a partial concave semi-circle to connect the two. Would look something like this:

How To Paint Faux Interior Pillars

Now, if you are really good at drawing you can look up pictures of columns and draw in a top and bottom that you like. With “carvings” or “curlie-q’s” or as ornate as you want. What I’ve sketched is just a very simple basic top that can also be used as a bottom.

Once you have your columns drawn it’s time to paint.

How To Paint Faux Interior Pillars is continued here: How To Paint Faux Columns

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