HELP: Wall Decoration - painting background...

[abaker322]

I need your creative ideas!

I have stamped DD Bold Butterflies in my bathroom. It looks alright, but the purple butterflies, against the white background are a very stark contrast. So I would like to add a light purple cloud-like background around the areas where there are butterflies?

Any ideas on how to do this?

I tried using a spong, but the color is much too concentrated, and creates "splotches", even when I lighten the color. I also tried dampening a paper towel with just a hint of paint in it, but it just looked like wet-dribbles.

I was wondering if there is a way to add a tint of color and "spray" it on somehow. Or instead of color, maybe adding some irridescent sparkle to the areas?

Any ideas?

[jeaniebean55]

Try it in a small area and let us know how it goes. there are at least 16 of us who are curious. Ignorant but curious!

[LPCrafting]

I have painted many a wall in our various houses with lots of different techniques... it sounds like you want something more soft and subtle so the butterflies aren't so stark and it gives you a transition to the white, right?

I would recommend using a lent-free painters rag (or an old cotton tshirt works just great, cut into approx. an 18" square section). Wad up the rag to fit in your hand and not have ends drooping down to put paint where you don't want it. Dip a small bit of the rag into a very light colored paint (you can add white to what you have until you are happy with it-- or add a bit of the color you have to white). Then use swirling type motions to paint the background. Do not 'reload' your rag until you are completely out of paint. You can keep blending it out until you are all white on the walls either above or below (or both if it is chair rail level). Basically you are coloring in your area by the butterflies. I wore rubber gloves when I did this last as it is messy on your hands and nails! But, you can use your finger in a small bit of the rag to get in close to the already stamped images. Keep a wet cloth or papertowel handy, assuming you are using latex or acrylic craft paints, -- any waterbased paint, and you can wipe off the already stamped images if they are dry without too much damage.

You could also use a sea sponge to put the paint on the wall-- just as in stamping for a really light effect, wipe or dab off most of the paint on a scrap surface before taking it to the wall. This will give you a more subtle effect also.

One final idea... paint your entire bathroom an off white or cream type color so the brighter butterflies and border will not be as stark against the white. Lots more work, but hopefully not too terrible as most bathrooms are smaller than rooms.

Hope this helps!! Good luck!
Laura