Wall Paint Patterns - Image by TKen via Flickr

So, simple enough question at first glance, right?

A faux finish on a heavy texture requires different tools and also a different mindset for the results.

If you decide to paint a faux finish on a heavily textured wall, you need to keep in mind that all the gorgeous faux painting that you see in those great decorator magazines and books are USUALLY painted on smooth walls.  Notice you don’t see a lot of texture – ever – when you look at those finishes in books.

The thing about textured walls is that the texture grabs the paint and doesn’t want to let go!   By grab I mean it collects in all those little  nooks and crannies.  This means that the wall texture is going to be highlighted or stand out and so it will be the design that is most predominate.

It can be a real challenge to get paint in all the nooks and crannies on rough walls so you need to make sure you use appropriate tools.  A good soft brush, some dry cloths are essential when working on a heavily textured wall.  To do a color wash type faux finish on a textured wall here is what you want to do:

• If you rag on a finish and then take a soft dry brush and lightly drag it across the wall, it will pull the collected finish away from the deeper areas.

• Keep wiping the brush off on a dry cloth and then dragging it cross hatch style across you finish.

• Work in 4 ft. square sections.  If you need a reminder on how to keep the edges workable – “wet” – go back and read this article:  “How to Keep a Wet Edge“

This technique should be an easy solution.  Keep in mind it WILL highlight the texture on the wall, so make sure you love the texture design before you make a statement with it.

The other faux finish that would be good on a heavily textured wall would be a sponge painting because it CREATES texture – faux texture.  The best sponge painting is done with multiple layers though so remember one layer might be nice but three or four will make it AMAZING!!!!!  And constantly turn your hand/wrist so you don’t get a polka dot effect.

Just Paint It

If you have a heavily textured wall that you aren’t real fond of the design you won’t want to highlight that with a faux finish.  Instead make it disappear by painting it one color.

If you have a sprayer or can afford to rent one, by all means do so.  Lol!  WAY easier!    If not then your best option is using a high quality roller and brush.  Invest in a STURDY/RIGID roller frame (the part you slide your roller on to) instead of buying the cheap one.  It’ll work a LOT better for you because you’ll be applying more pressure when you apply the paint.  The cheap one will flex tooooo much and that’ll let your roller cover slide off.  I hate it when my roller slides off in the middle of painting! 

For your roller you’ll need to spend a little more and buy a heavy-napped, 100% lambswool roller cover.  It’s really the best way to go.  It’ll save you sooo much time and trouble if you buy this one instead of just a standard “heavy duty” roller.  The longer nap will apply the paint way more thoroughly and it’ll also carry more paint than a synthetic one.  BUT…if you have to get a 50/50 blend.  It’ll do ALMOST as good a job.  And it’s a bit cheaper.    You know we like cheap.

Same with your paint brush.  Don’t skimp on paint brush quality.   A good paint brush holds more paint, applies it more smoothly and allows you to paint much cleaner lines.   It really makes a huge difference in the long run.  And you know me…I’m all for cheap!  Savin’ pennies.    I use cheap chip brushes most of the time but working on heavy duty textured walls a good brush really pays off.

After you roll the paint on look closely at all those deep nooks and crannies in the texture.  If you need to…and trust me, you’ll need to…use a small craft paint brush and stipple in your paint to fill the spaces so you have even coverage.  Just dab dab dab a thin layer of paint into any areas that didn’t get painted with the roller.

Remember…before you do anything – Prep work is KEY!

Get out there and SPLASH some paint around!!!

I am trying to get a venetian plaster look in my house. I wanted to try to use drywall mud to create the texture with deeper / thicker results and I am not sure now how to paint it. Does one have to use the plaster in a can to achieve this look or can I paint over the drywall finish with a product that leaves the darker colors behind and the lighter tones to the surface? ~Rob Paulin

The above picture is of the Old World Plaster Finish that I did a few years ago. www.surfaceswithpaint.com

This is my favorite and most popular finish as a professional. I believe this is what you are trying to achieve with the lighter tones on the surface and the darker tone in the recessed areas.

I prefer NOT to use drywall mud for this finish because you will need to prime it before painting. You also run the risk of moisture getting into it when you start painting, and glazing.

Behr actually makes a texture paint that comes in 2 gallon buckets in both smooth and sand finishes. This can be applied to the wall with either a roller or a trowel. Here are the steps that you will need to follow in order to achieve this finish.

1. Apply Plaster – apply to the wall with a 6″ putty knife, pat the wet plaster with a trowel, and knock down with your 6″ putty knife. This is what gives the plaster pattern & texture.

2. Sand - this step is optional depending on how smooth you want your plaster. I like to spot sand areas where you can see lines left from the trowel. Be sure to wipe away the dust that is left from sanding, with a rag.

3. Paint – you can use any color (light to medium tone). I use 2 coats of latex paint. There is no need to prime with this plaster. Let it dry overnight.

4. Mix Glaze & Paint – This is the fun part. You will need a dark color. Don’t be afraid to pick a dark color, because you will be mixing it – 1 part paint to 3 parts glaze. You will also be washing it off with water, so the glaze will lighten up a lot.

5. Apply Glaze – Use a chip brush and apply in random strokes in a 2 -3 ft section.

6. Wash Glaze In – Have a bucket of water ready, dip a big kitchen sponge into the water, ring out until damp and then wash the glaze into the wall.

7. Wash Glaze Off – Wash out your sponge, ring out the water, and then gently wash off the surface of the wall. The light base color will show through leaving the darker glaze color in the recessed areas of the plaster finish.

I hope this helps. Please keep us posted on how it goes. ~ Dawn

Venetian Plaster Othello

4 Piece Set Plaster Trowel Set

Best Look Faux Finish Glaze

Woolie  Lambwool Faux Appl Tool

“What is the easiest way to apply a purchased glaze to my lightly textured walls?

The room is the kitchen which has texture on the walls like houses built in the 70s. The walls and ceiling are painted with Laura Ashley gold #3. It has been suggested that I use van dyke brown on the walls to age for Tuscan like appearance. My living room and hallway are painted the same gold.

I also painted bookcases and fireplace with a white and plan to use glaze on fireplace. When I painted the fireplace and hearth I rolled on the white lightly on the surface of the brick leaving the dark grout with little change and the texture of the brick rough.

When I apply the brown glaze to the fireplace I just want to tone down the white a little and brighten the brick. So far the built in bookcases on either side of the fireplace look wonderful. ~ Thanks Sharon”

Hi Sharon, I would suggest doing a color wash on your walls. Van dyke brown sounds like a good color to go over the gold. A dark glaze will tone down the yellow and give your walls that Tuscan finish that you are looking for. This book- Paint Style: The New Approach to Decorative Paint Finishes has a section that explains the color wash finish in more depth.

Here are few simple steps that you will need to follow:

1. Gather Supplies

• Paint
• Glaze / glaze extender
• Large kitchen sponge
• Bucket
• Rags (for spatters & spills)
• Paint Brush

2. Mix your glaze – 1 part paint to 3 parts glaze. Use a good quality glaze that has a longer open time. If you already have glaze that dries faster than 15 minutes, then add a glaze extender. Follow the directions on the bottle to see how much you need to add.

3. Brush on Glaze – Apply the glaze to your walls in a criss cross motion

4. Wash Walls with Sponge – Wring out your sponge in the bucket of water and wash the glaze into the surface of the wall. Dip the sponge again in the bucket of water and then wash off some of the glaze.

Because you have lightly textured walls already. The brown glaze will settle nicely in the recessed areas. You want to wash off the raised areas the reveal the gold color underneath.
photo credit: the Original Muddog

I hope this helps, Let us know how it goes, That Painter Lady

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