The Basics

Troweling on thin layers of paint creates the timeworn look of aged Venetian plaster in minutes instead of centuries. If your tastes or color choices change after using this technique, you can simply paint over the layers with little, if any, sanding.

 

• 3 to 5 colors of semigloss latex paint. We used Sherwin-Williams French Roast SW6069, Smokey Topaz SW6117, Tassel SW6369, Anjou Pear SW6381, and Jersey Cream SW6379
• 2 disposable foil pans
• Small plastic trowel

 

1. Pour French Roast, Smokey Topaz, and Tassel into one foil pan (pictured). Pour Tassel, Anjou Pear, and Jersey Cream into the other foil pan.

 

2. Dip the trowel into French Roast. Beginning at the bottom of the wall, apply the paint about one-quarter of the way up the wall (see photo); wipe trowel. Starting at the top of the wall, apply Jersey Cream about one-quarter of the way down the wall; do not wipe trowel.

 

3. Dip the trowel into Anjou Pear, then carefully into Jersey Cream so that there are two colors on the trowel. Starting near the top of the wall, apply the paint down the wall (see photo).

 

4. Continue picking up two colors at a time. Using progressively darker colors and working toward the bottom of the wall, connect the color at the top to the French Roast section (see photo).

 

5. After you have applied color to the entire wall, step back and evaluate the effect. Add more tones and highlights as desired (see photo).