DIY Network

Sponge and Stencil a Wall From "DIY Crafts" episode DIC-149

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Faux-finishing expert Jeanne Serpa uses a sea sponge to sponge-paint a wall, then stencils designs over the sponged surface.

Materials:

Flat latex or oil-based interior paint
Sea sponge
AccentB. acrylic paint (Roseberry)
Paper plate
Paper towels
Rubber or latex gloves
Stencil
Delta Oil Paint PensB. (or Plaid Paint CrayonsB.)
Stencil brushes
Mylar
Drafting or masking tape

1. Apply the desired base coat of paint to the wall. You can use latex or oil-based flat paint. Jeanne's wall was painted off-white.

2. Pour a small amount of Accent acrylic paint onto a paper plate. Wearing rubber or latex gloves, dip the sea sponge lightly into the paint, and blot the sponge on a stack of paper towels to remove most of the paint.

3. Lightly press the sponge onto a paper towel to test the amount of paint. If you're happy with the result, start sponging the wall. Press the sponge lightly onto the surface, coloring small areas of the wall at a time. Sponge in a random pattern, turning your hand in different directions (figure A)<#IMG LEFT>.
   

4. The sponging will be dry and ready for stenciling in about 20 minutes.

5. Select stencils with overlays for different colors. Mylar stencils provide the greatest precision because they're laser-cut to produce clean edges.

6. Use drafting or masking tape to tape the first overlay of the stencil to the wall. Tape a piece of Mylar onto the wall to use as a palette.

7. Using an oil-paint pen or a paint crayon, apply the color to the palette. Rub the end of a stencil brush over the color to apply it to the stencil brush (figure B)<#IMG RIGHT>.
   

8. Swirl the stencil brush over the stencil in a circular motion to apply color to the wall. Move the brush both clockwise and counterclockwise to be sure you've covered the entire design. Small mistakes may be removed with an art eraser. Larger mistakes may be removed with turpentine. Reload the stencil brush as necessary (figure C)<#IMG LEFT>.
   

9. Remove the first stencil overlay, and tape the second overlay to the wall, matching the registration marks on the stencil to make sure the design is lined up correctly.

10. Apply the oil-paint pen or paint crayon to the Mylar palette, and stencil the next color on the wall. Repeat with all overlays.