DIY Sponge Painting Tutorial

Sponge painting effects can be used to decorate walls, furniture or just about any paint-able surface. There are a few different techniques used to create sponging effects. Negative sponge painting techniques are so called because the glaze coat is removed to create the effect. In this process a coat of glaze is rolled or brushed onto a wall, then a sponge is used to lift some of the glaze back off. This creates a random pattern of light and dark areas of glaze on the wall.

Positive sponge painting techniques involve applying glaze to the basecoat, a little at a time, using a sponge. Transparent sponge painting is a positive sponging technique involving the use of one glaze coat to leave a subtle pattern of contrasting color over the basecoat. Opaque sponging is a positive technique that involves the use of two or more glaze coats in varying colors to create a more dramatic and interesting finish. Over an opaque or transparent finish a flowing pattern can be added to create more interest in the finish.

See the Faux Painting Prep and Mixing Glaze pages for instructions on surface preparation, base coating and mixing glaze before beginning your sponge painting project. Use a natural sea sponge and a paint tray to apply the glaze. A quart of glaze will probably be enough for an average 9x12 room if a transparent sponge finish will be applied. For an opaque finish, use a gallon. Mix the glaze you will need all at one time for a consistent color over the whole finish.

Using a Negative Sponge Painting Technique

Lightly fill a roller with glaze, avoid overfilling. Too much glaze in the roller will put too much glaze on the wall. Roll a thin coat of glaze onto the test board and then over a 3 foot section of the wall. Along the edge, roll a border of extra thick glaze, about 6 inches wide. This will keep the edge wet and make it easier to blend the finish into the next section.

Saturate the sponge with water and squeeze out the excess. Dry the sponge on a rag if necessary to remove all the excess water. Dab the sponge on the test board until you have the finish you want and then start on the walls. Starting at the top of one corner, dab at the wet glaze in a diagonal direction or back and forth along the ceiling. As the sponge becomes saturated with glaze, rinse it in a bucket of clean water and squeeze out the excess. Dry the sponge on a rag and dab at the test board to create the same pattern then move to the walls. Continue until you have completed the first section. Stop before reaching the thick glaze border you left earlier. Roll another 3 foot section with the glaze. Spread the thick glaze border out into the new section with the roller. At the edge of the new section, roll another thick 6 inch border of glaze to work into the next section of wall space. Work across the wall in this manner until you have reached the corner.

When working at corners use a piece of card board or paint shield to keep the sponge from touching the other wall. Use a smaller piece of sponge at the corner if ncessary to create a consistent sponge pattern.

Using a Transparent Sponge Painting Technique

Saturate a sponge with water and squeeze out the excess. Dry the sponge on a rag to avoid adding too much water to the glaze that could cause runs. Pour the first glaze color into a paint tray. Squeeze the sponge and hold it as shown. Dip it into the glaze and dab lightly on the paint tray or test board until the desired pattern is produced.

Begin at the ceiling, dabbing the sponge onto the wall surface. Create a regular pattern by dabbing in parallel rows across the wall. Avoid rocking or dragging the sponge when it is contact with the wall. Touch the surface lightly and lift straight off in a light pouncing motion. Leave a subtle impression of the sponge behind. To create a random pattern vary each pounce of the sponge up and down slightly across the wall. Avoid repeating the same impression over and over by working in all directions and turning the sponge frequently. Refill the sponge as needed and dab it out on the paint tray or test board before moving to the wall. Work to the edge of the glaze and roll another sections. Continue to the corner. Work from one corner to the other without stopping to avoid creating an unwanted pattern. Remember to protect corners with a piece of cardboard or paint shield.

Using an Opaque Sponge Painting Technique

With an opaque sponge finish, a heavier touch can be used to apply the glaze coats. Because a dense coat of glaze is the goal, the surface can be dabbed repeatedly. If too much glaze builds up in one place, lightly dab at it with a clean part of the sponge to remove some. When the first coat of glaze has dried, pour the second color into the paint tray and begin with the same technique used with the first. Use a little less glaze to allow the underlying colors to show thru. If you're happy with the finish at this point you can continue on to the other walls in the room. Use the first glaze color as before followed by the second. If you would like to add more depth to the finish, lightly sponge on another glaze color. Use progressively thinner coats of glaze with each coat. Let the underlying colors show thru. This will create a feeling of depth in the finish.

To add a flowing pattern to the finish, use a contrasting color of glaze to sponge an arching or diagonal strip across the wall. Apply the glaze sparingly. You only want a hint of this color in a subtle striping.