How to Faux Paint by Stippling

Stippling is a faux painting technique that gives new surfaces an elegant, aged look. While most methods of faux painting hide imperfections on the wall surface, stippling actually highlights them. It is best done on surfaces in excellent condition.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Stippling Brushes
• Acrylic Paints
• Drop Cloths
• Flat Brushes
• Glazes
• Rags
• Rubber Gloves
• Ladders

1. 

   Paint the wall a solid color. This will be your background color.

2. Select an acrylic paint color that contrasts nicely with the background color.

3. 

   Prepare and tint glaze with the acrylic paint you have chosen to create your desired glaze color.

4. 

   Apply glaze to wall with a large, flat brush. Using a crisscross pattern, brush top to bottom, then side-to-side, then top to bottom again over the same 3-foot-wide section.

5. 

   Use the same brush to stipple over the freshly painted area. Hold the brush so that the bristles are head-on with the wall, then dab the brush on the wall. This will break up the brush marks and texture the wall.

6. Use a stippling brush or a staining brush to dab the entire surface as in step 5. Using a quick, light bouncing motion, gently tap the wall in a random pattern.

7. 

   Remove excess glaze from the stippling brush by wiping it with a clean cloth.

8. Repeat steps 4 through 7 until you cover the entire surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Use an acrylic or oil-based glaze for this faux painting technique. The oil glaze will dry more slowly, allowing more time for stippling.

• For easier application, stipple with a partner. One person can apply the glaze and stipple with the large, flat brush while the other person follows closely behind with the stippling brush.

• Use a color washing brush to reach into corners and ceiling edges.

• Have adequate ventilation when painting and while paint is drying.

• Use caution when working on a ladder. Make sure it is stable before climbing on.

• Wear gloves to protect your hands from chemicals in paint and glazes and to make washing up easier.

• Store paint and paint products out of reach of children.