Crinkle paper painting is an easy technique to master. Start with a basic finish, using just tissue paper or newspaper and some paint. Experiment on a small area of a wall or practice on an inexpensive piece of plywood. Give walls added depth by using glaze finishes in shades of the same color, or add drama by using glaze colors in vivid contrast to the base color.
The Basics
Crinkle paper painting uses sheets of tissue paper or newspaper applied to walls to create texture. For a basic application, you can paint right over your existing paint without having to prime the walls. Tape off woodwork and window and door frames using painter's tape before you start, and use a small paintbrush to paint around them, rather than trying to apply the paper effect to those tricky areas.
Working from left to right, starting at the top of the wall, paint one section that's a little larger than the sheet of tissue paper. Crumple the tissue and apply it to the wet paint. Smooth it with your hands or a wallpaper brush to achieve the effect you want, then paint over it. Paint the next section of wall, crumple another piece of paper and overlap the first so that there are no flat spaces, then paint over it. Repeat this, working in a straight row until you reach the end of the wall, then start a new row underneath the first one.
Materials
For a basic application, you'll need painter's tape, a small paintbrush, tissue paper or newspaper and interior paint. You can use eggshell, matte, flat or semi-gloss finishes of paint.
For a glaze finish, you'll also need wallpaper paste, a small brush, a paint roller and tray or paintbrushes, glaze finishes and a piece of cheesecloth or a sea sponge.
Glazing Technique
For a glaze finish, start with clean walls. You don't have to base-coat the walls but be sure to remove any dirt, stains or grease before beginning. Apply crumpled tissue paper or newspaper to the walls with wallpaper paste. Put the paste on the wall using a brush or clean paint roller, then press the paper over it. Work from left to right in rows, overlapping the paper. You can also tear the edges of the paper to avoid having flat, straight edges.
Let the paste dry completely. Base-coat the paper-covered walls in your choice of paint color and finish, using a paint roller or a brush. Let it dry completely. Apply a glaze randomly, working across the walls using "W" or "X" strokes with a brush or roller. While the first glaze is still wet, apply a second color glaze using another brush, cheesecloth or a sea sponge, blending the two glazes.
