Sponging allows you to create dramatic or subtle variations of color and dimension. This technique is one of the easiest techniques to learn and will bring you professional looking results even for first-time painters.

There are two ways to use sponging, "sponging on" and "sponging off". These two techniques can give dramatically different finishes. "Sponging on" is an additive technique that creates more defined patterns, where as, "sponging off" is a subtractive technique that creates a softer blended look.

When talking about sponges, it's important to make sure you use a natural sea sponge and not a kitchen sponge. If you have difficulty finding good sea sponges make sure you check out the website for Florida Sponges. They provide natural sea sponges straight from the sponge docks of Tarpon Springs and will ship all over the world.

Here are the tools and materials you will need to get started:

• Natural Sea Sponge

• Nylon/Polyester Brush

• 3/8” Nap Roller

• Bucket of Water

• Cloth Rags

• Gloves

• Drop Cloth

• Paint Tray

• Interior Paint

• Faux Glaze


Sponging On Technique

Preparing your wall:

• First, paint your wall with the desired base coat and allow to dry at least 4 hours.

• Mix Faux Glaze with tinted paint in a large bucket. The mix should be 4-1, or one gallon of glaze to one quart of tinted paint. Keep in mind when selecting colors, that the glaze will lighten your tinted paint by one shade, so you may need to adjust for that by choosing a darker shade initially.

Applying the Glaze Color:

• Use a paintbrush to coat a water-dampened sea sponge with the Glaze Color. Blot excess
onto a clean cloth or rag. You can dip the sponge directly into the mix, however, the sponge may get too saturated and cause excess paint on the wall or drips.

• Apply the glaze color onto the surface, creating random patterns by rotating the sponge. Tight spots or corners, use a small piece of sponge to complete the pattern.

• To keep a subtle and natural pattern, do not squeeze the sponge or push down too hard onto
the surface.

• Make sure you step back often to see if you are appying the sponge evenly. Also, if you notice an area where the paint looks too heavy, use a clean damp sea sponge to soften the look.


Sponging Off Technique

Preparing your wall:

• First, paint your wall with the desired base coat and allow to dry at least 4 hours.

Removing the Glaze Color:

• Mix your paint and glaze mixture using the 4-1 ratio as mentioned earlier.

• Pour some into a roller pan

• Using your pre-mixed paint and glaze mixture from your roller pan, begin at the top corner and roll the Glaze Color onto a 3 ft. x 3 ft. section. Use a waterdampened sea sponge to dab the wet Glaze Color off of the surface. Be sure to rinse out the
sponge often

• Roll the Glaze Color along the edges of your 3 ft. x 3 ft. section and blend each competed
Sponged Off area into the newest section to avoid hard, overlapping lines. Maintain a wet edge
as you work across the surface.

Tip: Blot and pounce the sponge quickly from the wrist and fingers, not the elbows.

Variation: Stippling-Follow Sponging Off instructions using a plastic grocery bag or a hard-bristled brush to lightly pounce the wet glazed surface to reveal a finer amount of color.