Stippling, Glazing, Tiffany Blending, And Mottling Decorative Finishes
There are a number of decorative finishes which may be obtained on painted surfaces. They are frequently used on walls to furnish variation in long, uniform stretches, which many people find monotonous. These finishing methods lend themselves, by minor variations and, in some cases, by combining one or more of them, to the production of a great many possible effects on painted surfaces. This article will discuss stippling, glazing, tiffany blending, mottling (crumpled roll), and mottling (sponge).
Stippling consists merely of tapping the freshly painted wall with a stippling brush. The effect produced is a uniform surface, with small pores all over it. All brush marks are removed by the stippling. This effect goes nicely in a public steam shower room or a bathroom with a steam shower. Either that, or seek a steam shower design that matches the theme that you already have. Glazing is a method of decoration which yields rich, deep tones. It subdues and softens sharp colors while blending the finished appearance of walls and woodwork.
Glazing is accomplished by the application to the dry, finished paint (allow at least 48 hours for drying before glazing) of a semi-transparent stain or glaze, composed of flatting oil and oil colors. Spread the stain evenly and then, with the stippling brush, stipple the work to produce a uniform surface. Follow by wiping the center of the panel with a wad of clean cheesecloth. Blend the work so that the stain will be graduated in depth from a light center to a deeper tone at the outer edges.
The general effect should be that of a gradual fading of the color towards the center. Moldings are coated with the stain and stippled. They are then wiped to produce highlights, which are obtained by wiping the top parts, leaving the stain in the recesses. This type of finish is good for mock antique bathroom vanities, or rich and worn vintage bathroom vanities with a set of matching bathroom cabinets.
The Tiffany blend is also a glaze finish. Three or more colors are used to produce the effect. Over an ivory colored ground which has thoroughly dried, brush a coat of flatting oil covering an area not more than 2yds square. Mix each of the glazing colors separately, using raw sienna, raw umber, rose pink, and cobalt blue. While the flatting oil is still wet apply the colors here and there. With a wad of cheesecloth, blend the colors into each other with a circular motion. Stipple the work, taking care not to smear the colors.
Wipe out highlights here and there to permit the ground color to show through. A rich blend is the result of this finish. None of the colors should be so strong as to predominate. The effect should be that of a refined, rich blend of equal tones. This type of glazing looks beautiful in a bathroom with frameless shower doors and combination shower/bathtub shower doors. White porcelain shower trays are ideal to match. Mottling (crumpled roll) is an excellent method for producing soft, mottled effects.
The colors used should differ sufficiently to offer a pleasing contrast. One of these colors must be dark, and the other, light, or a dark shade and a light shade of the same color may be used. After the two colors desired have been obtained, they are wetted with turpentine, and blended into a paint made according to the following formula: white lead (25 lbs), varnish (1/4 pt), turpentine (1/2 gal), and Japan drier (1/8 pt). Then paint a section of wall just large enough so that it can conveniently be finished, while still wet, by the following process:
Roll a double sheet of old newspaper tightly into a long wad. Start at the top of the painted surface and roll the paper diagonally downward over the freshly painted section, turning the paper with the fingers, and pressing firmly against the wall. The paper is rolled diagonally to avoid forming a line, where the adjacent roll is made. Do all touching up while the paint is wet. The beautiful paint job looks excellent on the inside of spa, hot tub, or Jacuzzi enclosures
In mottling (sponge), the paint is prepared in the same way as for crumpled roll mottling. The difference is in the mottling operation, which is done as follows: Tap the flat part of a sponge, which has been softened in water and squeezed out thoroughly, into the mottling paint and tap the wall with it in an irregular manner. This finish may be done in numerous paints, using a different sponge for each color. This permits a very wide choice in color effects and combinations.
Allison Ryan is a freelance marketing writer from San Diego, CA. She specializes in do-it-yourself home improvement from steam shower and hot tub installation to interior design. For shower doors, bathroom vanities, and swim spas, stop by www.mybath.biz/.
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