Sponge painting finishes create a stony, spotted finish with color depth that invites a closer look
Sponge painting finishes is one of the easiest and most enjoyable of all broken-color techniques. Choose from a natural sponge, synthetic sponge with lumps pulled out of it to create texture, or some kind of fabric, such as cotton cloth. The texturing action you want involves both dabbing and spreading, so that bare areas between glaze applications can get filled in.
For a different texture, you can try dipping a cloth into the color wash, squeezing it out, and then twisting it into a loose sausage shape. Use paint over paint, or glaze over paint, or multiple layers of glazed.
There are two main types of sponge painting walls finishes; latex-based and oil-based finish. Sponging with latex paints gives a soft, cloudy effect, with very delicate shifts of color. Oil-based paints produce a crisper texture that can resemble granite or porphyry.
Before you begin to work, wash the sponge in water, squeeze it out and then dip into paint thinner if using oil-based paint, water if latex. Allow the sponge to dry out and return to its full size before you start work. Let each layer dry thoroughly before applying the next.
Sponge painting finishes is often combined with other sponge painting techniques and design elements. Different sponged effects can be produced, depending on the color choices, the number of color layers, and the density of the sponging. If you sponge on too much glaze in a spot, sponge over it with the base color.
Avoid repetition by rotating the sponge and flexing your wrist as you sponge. The only way to get comfortable with decorative techniques is to practice on sample boards until you've mastered the techniques.
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