Create Your Own Stroke of Brilliance

Add a touch of drama to any room with the softly textured look of dry-brushing.  It's a simple and affordable way to turn an ordinary space into a cozy retreat.

Paint
Base Coat: AquaPearl #1240
First Brush Coat: AquaVelvet #1266
Second Brush Coat: AquaVelvet #1244
Highlight Colour: AquaVelvet # 967
Tools
9-inch roller, paint tray, 3 - 2 1/2" brushes, pail of water, cardboard or newspaper, & rags

 

5 Easy steps to Dry-Brushing

  1. Paint the walls with base coat; allow to dry overnight.

  2. Dip tip of brush in first brush colour; brush it onto a piece of cardboard to remove excess paint.

  3. Apply brush to wall creating a 45-degree brush mark, 8 to 12 inches long.  Make a second brush stroke adjacent to the first, at opposing 45-degree angle, creating a herringbone pattern.  The pattern need not be perfect.  Repeat, re-dipping brush in paint as required, filling your 4-foot-by-4-foot section.

  4. Apply the second brush color over the first in the same manner, but be looser in your angles.  The idea is to soften the pattern created by the first color.  When finished, move along to another 4-foot-by-4-foot section and repeat steps 2 to 4.

  5. When walls are completed, brush on the third colour randomly in areas to create highlights.

Helpful Hints

  1. If the brush becomes too dry and does not appear to be adding any paint to the surface, dip it in water and shake well; all it requires is a little lubrication.  The secret to this technique is not to apply too much paint.

  2. When selecting colours, choose those that are within the same color families or are tints or shades of each other so that they blend well together on the wall.

  3. Make sure to leave ample time to complete the project.  You're using a small amount of paint and applying it with a hand-size tool, so the process can be time consuming.

  4. You can achieve the dry-brushing look in the corners with a few dabs of a paintbrush.

  5. Do not panic when the first brush colour is applied.  It will be dark, but the second brush colour will soften the look.

Compliments of: Hyde Park Paint & Paper, London