Easy Glaze Painting Techniques and Tips

The Mona Lisa was painted in glazes,layering color washes over an opaque background image.Transparent color diluted with a clear medium.

When the technique is used for wall glazing, the entire surface is coated,revealing the texture.Glaze is also used in cabinet, furniture,and faux finishing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaze_(painting_technique)

Glazing techniques:

Antiquing

Mix one part neutral and colored glaze for medium tint. Go lighter with more neutral glaze and darker with more colored glaze.

Base-coat your surface with this mixture,dry.

Dampen a sponge, squeeze dry and dip into the glaze mixture. Pull the sponge across the surface in smooth strokes,until covered.

Color Washing

Mix neutral and colored glaze using a one-to-one ratio or two-to-one ratio.

Squeeze dry a dampened sponge and dip into glaze mixture. Pull and rub the sponge over the, painted or unfinished, surface creating a smooth finish.Or use a brush in smooth strokes, wipe between strokes.Effective over texture.

Combing

Mix neutral and colored glaze in a disposable container.

Coat the painted or unfinished surface with the glaze mixture,using a foam or bristle brush or paint roller.

Comb small areas, before it dries,with smooth strokes, without stopping.Keep comb wiped.

Crackling

Base-coat the surface or leave natural.

Apply two coats of Crackle Medium over the surface brushing in one direction,dry.

Add a layer of topcoat. Cracks will form. Don't brush over cracks.

Dry 24 hours and finish with a high-gloss sealer.

Mitts

Paint wall with flat paint.

Mix neutral and color glaze and pour some on a disposable plate.

Dip mitt in water, squeeze dry.

Put the mitt on your hand and dip in the glaze mixture. Tap off extra glaze.

Pat wall with the mitt,overlapping and changing direction for consistent coverage. Re-load and rinse as needed.

Using your free hand,place the mitt into the corner,until corner is done. Tape adjoining wall to avoid smearing it while working on the corner.

Dry,remove the tape,tape the other side and repeat the process.

Dry 24 to 48 hours. Seal glazed woodwork, not walls.

Distressing

If used,apply 1-3 layers of base-coat,let dry.

Drip melted candle wax onto the wood or painted surface following the grain,where it would naturally wear.

Apply 1-3 coats of paint,dry. Don't sand.

Scrape the dried surface with a tool,with the grain, revealing the unfinished wood or base-coat. Sand the exposed surface.
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayArticle?articleNum=ae0264

Dry-brush Technique

Apply the glaze to a painted surface, using a roller or brush.

Drag a dry brush across the wet surface in any direction.

For a woven or checked effect, let the first layer dry, add another glaze coat over the first layer. Dry-brush in another direction.

Sponging

Mix glaze with acrylic or latex paint,four parts glaze to one part paint. Dip the sponge into the mixture, tap out the extra.

Pat the sponge over the surface,overlapping the glaze.

Use a clean sponge and tap against the wet glaze applied to the surface, to remove glaze for an unusual finish. Wipe sponge on a clean towel.

Rag Rolling

Dampen a soft, light colored rag with water and squeeze dry.

Saturate the rolled rag in the colored or clear glaze.Squeeze it out before rolling it over the surface in any direction.

Roll a dry rag over the wet glaze to remove some glaze and wipe it on a towel to eliminate extra glaze.

Frottage

Tear off large pieces of plastic wrap,crumpling them, then straighten without smoothing them.

Roll or brush the glaze onto the painted surface, then press the plastic sheets over the wet glaze.

Remove them without smearing the wrinkled look beneath.
By Jeanne Paglio http://www.ehow.com/how_4672432_glazing-painting-techniques.html

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaze_(painting_technique)

http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayArticle?articleNum=ae0264

By Jeanne Paglio http://www.ehow.com/how_4672432_glazing-painting-techniques.html