DECORATIVE PAINTING

~Washes and Glazes~

Most decorative painting techniques are done with washes or glazes. A wash is a watered down latex paint which is quick drying and is suitable for "Sponging-On" or "Ragging On". A glaze is a thinned translucent alkyd based or latex acrylic based mixture of clear glaze, colored paint and paint thinner or water (depending on base).


~WHICH PAINT DO I USE?~

Alkyd glazes, the traditional medium of decorative painters, stay wet and workable longer than either washes or latex glazes and produce a beautiful translucent finish. Mistakes are easy to correct by wiping off paint with a rag dipped in paint thinner. An alkyd glaze gives a rich, deep finish that is ideal for marbling, Sponging-Off, and Ragging-Off. Latex washes are easy to use and clean-up with water.


~MIX YOUR OWN WASHES & GLAZES!~

Washes are simple to make by mixing a latex paint with water.

To make a latex glaze, begin with a transparent latex based blend & glaze (paint without any pigment, which is available in pint, quart & gal. size), add latex paint and water. The intensity of the color will be determined by the amount of paint which is added to the blend.

To make an oil glaze, begin with a transparent oil based blend & glaze, add alkyd paint and paint thinner. The intensity of the color will be determined by the amount of paint which is added to the blend.

Recipes are just a beginning and can be easily modified. Decorative painting is not precise, so don't be afraid to experiment as you become a little better - and have fun!

~Latex Wash~

1 part acrylic latex to 1 part water

You may modify this recipe so that water makes up 10 - 90% of the mixture. The translucency and intensity of the color will be determined by the amount of water used.

~Acrylic Latex Glaze~

1 part blend & glaze, 2 parts acrylic latex & 1 part water

This glaze recipe is great for Ragging-On & Sponging-On. For decorative techniques requiring greater translucency, such as dragging change the amounts as follows:

5 parts blend & glaze
1 part acrylic latex
1 part water
& 1 part Blend & Glaze Extender

~Alkyd Glaze~

1 part blend & glaze
1 part Premium Alkyd paint
& 1 part paint thinner

This glaze stays wet longest. For faster drying and a harder finish, use less blend & glaze & more paint thinner.


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