Decorative Painting 101 – Gradient Effect
Are you for the notion of having different results after painting a wall? Try adding depth and texture by fading your paint colors smoothly onto each other. A technique that provides a gradient effect to your surface. Try imagining a wall that is smooth in gradient with colors from light yellow at the top of the wall, and dark orange towards the floor.
In addition to getting a fading down look, light reflected off this particular wall turns out to be unique. Equally, you can decide to fade as many as six to seven shades of the same color just to have fun.
Before you begin splashing the wall with your paint, perform numerous tests on a piece of plywood. It will not only provide you with an idea of which colors you would like to utilize but also let gives you some time to practice on perfecting the gradient fading process.
- Tools and Materials
For instance, you need some materials beforehand for a three-color fade including; paint brushes, painter’s tape, a sea sponge, plastic tarp, paint pan, water, spray bottles and finally the three shades of color you want to use.
- Step by step guide
First, you need to cover the floor by laying down a canvas tarp or plastic. For you to be sure that the tape does not stick on your feet as you walk around, fasten it to the baseboards using painter’s tape by placing the tape in areas where the baseboard joins with the wall.
As you work with the tape, cover every other area that you would not wish to spray paint by sticking them with paint. These are areas like electrical outlets and windows.
With that done, you are set to use a clean paint roller. For the paint that you intend to apply at the center of your gradient, pour it into your paint pan. Use a paint roller to stain the two-thirds at the center of the surface with the medium-tone. You have to move fast, to limit the coat from drying before you continue to apply the remaining two shades.
Proceed to the next color, which is darker. With a clean roller, stain the last one-third of the wall just like the first layer.
Finally, move on to the top space and stain as you did with the other two-thirds with the lightest colors of the three with a clean roller.
Spray some water in areas where one shade of paint is exposed to the next and moisten using a paintbrush or sea sponge. Ensure that it is not too damp.
Create a fading effect. You need to have the dullest color at the base and the lightest color towards the top above the middle color.
The same principles would still apply even if you want to use more than three-color shades. Always begin at the center and then advance towards the base of that band. After covering that area completely, shift to the upper side of the middle band.
Repeat the fading technique done on the three original strips. Proceed with the next two colors from the base to the top.
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