Old World Wall Texture and Trompe L'oeil Bricks

Old world, Southwest, country, traditional – whatever your style, adding tactile or visual texture can really add the needed design element to complete your room. This technique is also a great way to disguise damaged or old walls, to add warmth and depth to a room, or to create a unique focal point.

Materials needed for bricks

• Acrylic paint
• Sponge
• Water and glaze
• Ruler
• Pencil or chalk

To begin brickwork, start with a dark basecoat. When dry sponge 1 to 2 medium shades of paint in random design. When dry, using ruler, draw your grout lines over the painted surface. Next, with a flat brush the size of the grout line you desire, paint grout lines. When dry, sponge over the entire surface, including grout lines with a gray tone paint. Next decided on light source and highlight and shadow grout and bricks. This last step is what really makes this project come to life!

Materials needed for wall texture

• Wall patch, or (found at hardware stores)
• Crackle (found at craft stores)
• Various paint colors
• Clear glaze
• Water
• Spray bottle filled with water
• Spackle knife
• Sandpaper
• Antiquing glaze (optional)

To get started, first make sure walls are clean and free of dirt and grease. Once wall is prepared, apply Spackle in random patterns, making sure to change the direction of your knife while applying. If using the crackle compound, the thicker the application is, the more it will crack. Use crumble tinfoil for extra texture. Let dry overnight.

The next day apply latex paint base coat, and let dry. Next choose colors that will compliment the base and "rub" them into the basecoat. You may choose to add glaze to the paint for a different effect. Once dry, apply a deep shade of paint thinned with water or with glaze. Highlight surface when dry with a very light color paint using a very dry brush.

I hope you have fun with this project. If you would like more information on my services, or having me do this technique or any other, please contact me.

A reminder that my jewelry design classes begin again tonight please call Joanne at Arrowhead. Call for more info-hope to see you there!

Joanne at Arrowhead

623-334-9114