Create something truly special with more than just paint

13 Aug 2024

Sometimes, a simple paint finish isn't enough! If your clients want something unique or distinctive, then make a statement with a colourwashing effect. Whether it's adding drama to a home, restaurant, gallery or commercial interior, the possibilities are endless.

Along with thousands of colours, Resene also has a range of innovative products designed to create various stunning effects with the Resene FX range. Use them to create an infinite number of special effect finishes – concrete, rust, crackle, limewash, colourwash and more – to turn even the plainest of surfaces into an instant talking point.

These techniques can also be beneficial for disguising less-than-perfect surfaces. In fact, imperfections can add to the overall impact of the effect. The products are also designed for durability, so you can be confident the effort you put into creating your effect will be rewarded with an effects finish that continues to look good. 

Colourwashing

Today our focus is on colourwashing, a popular paint effect which creates a subtle wash of colour over a surface, adding depth and personality to a room. The two-step process requires a base colour which is then washed over with a stronger colour that has been mixed with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium to produce an effect made up of different tones, which adds a sense of visual texture. Resene FX Paint Effects Medium is a tintable acrylic used to obtain a variety of paint finishes. 

Left: Misty Scandi style with a cloudy ombre paint-effect wall applied using a colourwash technique with Resene Half Raven, Resene Grey Chateau, Resene Double Concrete and Resene Half Concrete. Accents in gold and black include a tall vase and side table in Resene All Black, a bowl in Resene Aloha and a narrow vase in Resene Celebrate. The plywood floor is in Resene Colorwood Whitewash. Project by Claudia Kozub. Right: Arch painted in Resene Double Parchment. Back wall painted with a base layer of Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect, then painted in Resene Double Parchment and topcoated with Resene FX Paint Effects tinted with Resene Allspice. Tall jug painted in Resene Half Tea. Brown glass vase from Smith & Caughey’s, Gidon Bing cups and trivet from Good Form. Project by Amber Armitage. Images by Wendy Fenwick.

Resene Colour Expert Angela Fell says, “You can create a light wash over a dark coloured wall or you can create a dark wash over a light-coloured wall. It’s so versatile and can be used to create beautiful limewashing and colourwashing effects. The medium is used to create a stronger wash or as light a wash as you desire, which means you can really create a truly unique paint effects finish.

“There are different application techniques such as dragging, when you drag a large brush down the wall, crowsfoot, when you apply in a criss-cross motion, and ragging, which is when you apply using a rag. These can also be created over texture by incorporating Resene Sandtex – a popular option for those wanting to create a concrete-like finish.” 

Watch Special Effects Expert Adriana’s video guide below, or click here for the step-by-step instructions to colourwash a wall.

Colourwashing tips and tricks:

• The greater the ratio of Resene FX Paint Effects Medium in your mix the less opaque the finish will appear. For a subtle change, add more Resene FX Paint Effects Medium to your mixture. For a more striking effect, add less. The same applies to colours. The more similar your colours are, the more tonal your effect will be. If you want more contrast, choose colours that are more different from each other.
• Give it a go on something small first. Get used to the way the product works and test it on some large card or a small panel to ensure you are happy with your chosen technique before you start applying it to the wall. When an applicator is doing the work, make sure you see and agree on a trial area before the project starts. You can also use this as a handy reference for the project to make sure the effects finish is on track.
• It’s always a good idea to keep note of the ratio you are using so that if you run out partway through the job – or you want to recreate the look in another room – you know what ratio you used. A popular ratio is one part paint to five or six parts Resene FX Paint Effects Medium. Or some decorators just add one Resene 60mL testpot per 1 litre of Resene FX Paint Effects Medium. Generally, it’s best to start with less colour as you can always add more if you need to.
• Apply the product reasonably quickly so it doesn’t dry as you try to blend with the tack cloth. Add Resene Hot Weather Additive to extend the wet edge of the paint if you need more time to achieve your effects finish. 
• Soften the bristles of the colourwash brush by soaking them in water for 10 minutes to make application easier.
• A popular choice is selecting a triple strength colour for the basecoat and a quarter or half strength for the top (which will be mixed with your Resene FX Paint Effects Medium), this will help in achieving a natural appearance.
• Before using Resene FX Paint Effects Medium, remember to prepare your walls by making sure that the surface or surfaces are clean and in good condition, free of dirt, dust and any other loose material.

For more paint effects ideas, see the Paint Effects gallery online, www.resene.com/painteffects.

Published: 13 Aug 2024