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Paint techniques are often forgotten when it comes to decorating homes. We usually take a long time over selecting the paint color, when we finally get it we want to start decorating straight away!

But before you go any further, have a look at all the different ways you can use paint. With all of the methods shown here, you'll probably need to experiment a bit to get the finish you want.

Glazes

A glaze is a transparent finish which is added on top of the main wall color. The effect is to make the finish look richer, and with more depth.

  • If you tint the glaze with a hue from the same color family as the base color, the result will be to deepen the tone.
  • If the glaze and base color are different, the result will be a completely different color with a degree of translucence.

The liquids used for glazing are sometimes called scrumple glazes. In the past they were oil based, but most are now made from water based acrylics.

Dragging

This is possibly the most popular of all paint techniques. It involves applying a colored transparent glaze over a semi-gloss base coat, and then dragging a dry brush through it before it dries. Using a semi-gloss paint as a base coat stops the glaze from sinking into the surface. It's easier to use a broad brush than a narrow one as this enables you to get the dragging done quicker.

Stippling

Stippling is one of the paint techniques which is often used with dragging. For example, you can use dragging for wood surrounds and stippling for the main panels on walls.

As with dragging, you apply the tinted glaze to the base color, and then remove the glaze with a special professional stippling brush. (You can buy these at specialist paint stores, or online stores.) If you want a more muted look, then use a large sponge.

Ragging

If you're a beginner, then both dragging and stippling are best done by two people, one to apply the glaze and the other to use the brush or sponge. (These are known as subtractive techniques - the glaze is put on, then some is removed or subtracted.)

Ragging is an additive process, and so is easier to do on your own. You use a rag, piece of fabric or hessian, cheesecloth or tissue paper, and apply the glaze with the rag bunched up in your hand. The texture of the cloth determines the result.

You can also go back over the surface if you want to emphasize the effect.