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Paint Techniques
Some of the effects of the paints that one can create apart from the flat surface, but one should be aware of the effect, one desire to create.

Colorwashing: Color washing is among the group of finishes that have their beginnings in fine art, they are often known as broken-color technique. Specifically, it involves the application of thin washes of glaze in which the brush marks are left apparent to give the finish texture and depth. It provides an interesting alternative to flat color and can be used to decorate period or modern, town or country interiors.

Sponging: Sponging is a modern broken-color technique. Natural sponge, moistened with water or soaked in glaze and used over the opaque base coat to produce a softly mottled effect-either by removing or adding color. Usage of sea sponge creates more interesting textures that normal household sponge.

Stippling: Traditionally stippling entails the reworking of newly applied paint to create a finely textured, matt finish. A well prepared surface is essential and a steady hand. An elegant effect which adds subtle ageing to a room, it looks good on wood paneling, furniture and frames.

Dry Brushing: In this technique, the brush is kept relatively dry as glaze is applied lightly over a base coat to create a cloudy effect. It can be subtle if applied in soft tones with soft strokes or bold if you use hard bristled brushes and strong colors. An easy way to give texture to modern interiors, it is also used to create an aged finish for period settings. It is ideal for highlighting architectural moldings and because it is extremely resilient, for furniture.

Mediterranean Look: The word Mediterranean gives us an impact of wonderful chalky colors of sun baked, painted house. It gives a very country look kind of the atmosphere. Random brushing and hard rubbing create the characteristic roughness and depth of tone. It can be used on a variety of surface but is natural suited to uneven plaster and textured surfaces.

Texturing: There are many different ways to texture paints. The obvious advantage of texturing is that it is a wonderful disguise for imperfect wall. But it can bring character to any surface, or a tough finish to a garden room or exterior wall.

Wood finishes: Paint finishes on wood can be as authentic and fantastic as you wish. Color is the determining factor but with today's wide choice of colors, the scope for experiment is enormous. Paint effects can also 'age' new wood quickly. This is an important period setting, where new wood is often ill at ease. Stairs, handrails, floors and frames can also be aged to add a period feel to any home.

Border: Borders are nowadays becoming very common and people are having a keen interest in them. Painted borders are a neglected way of bringing additional interest to wall surfaces. Borders painted by hand are essentially individual .One can choose color and patterns one wants and can make them as simple or as complex.

Thus, paint effects are a wonderful way to express your character and that of your home and the people who live with you. So go wild with you sponges, spatter, stipple and rub down to your heart's content. And when you will rest from your labors, you will find that you have created something that simply can't be found in a pot or plain emulsion paint.

	Do not paint out of the paint can. While painting the brush picks up dust and other impurities from the surface that you are painting. If you dip this brush into the paint can then you will transfer it to the can. This will cause specks in your painting.
	In an open can the paint will be exposed to the air and it will react with it. This makes the paint thicker and sticker and more difficult to paint with.
	A can is bulky and cumbersome to carry around while painting. A paint can is to be used for storage of paint only.
	Pour out only about ½ inch of paint into a bucket that you will use for painting. This is a very small amount and before it reacts with air you would have used it. You will have to replenish paint more often but the paint will flow freely and it will be easy to paint with.
	The bucket will have only ½ inch of paint so it will be light and easy for you to carry around as you work.
	If you accidentally tip the bucket over, neither will there be much cleaning to do, nor would you have lost a lot of paint.
	Air dries paint. Therefore expose as little paint to the air as possible. So it is better to expose small quantities of paint to the air at a time.
	The oxygen in the air reacts with the paint, making it thick and difficult to apply on the wall.
	Replace cap on the lid of the paint can as soon as you finish pouring out paint. Cover the bucket from which you are painting with a tray or lid to minimize exposure to air.