Paint Techniques: Crinkle Paper Painting

Step 1: Prepare the Area

• Applying a fresh base coat isn't necessary.
• You could use latex paint in an eggshell finish with a glaze of your choice. 
• Use an old paintbrush or China bristle brush to dust baseboards, trim and crown molding before taping them off. 

Step 2: Paint and Apply the Tissue Paper

• Paint an area slightly bigger than the size of the tissue paper you're using. 
• Crinkle a piece of tissue paper to create texture; open it up, and adhere it to the wet paint surface, smoothing it as desired. Don't worry about ripping the paper, just smooth the surface with your fingers and continue.

Step 3: Paint Over the Tissue Paper

• Load the roller again and paint over the tissue paper. If you don't like the way the paper lays against the wall, smooth it out with your fingers before painting over it again. Tear off excess paper around the wall edges, corners and baseboards.
• Continue in a horizontal line across one wall, overlapping the tissue paper each time so there aren't any flat areas. 
• Cover the rest of the wall in the same fashion, making sure to apply the tissue paper in neat rows.
• For an older look, add an antique glaze over the dried surface. 

Meredith Woolfolk