washes how to use Resene Paint Effects Medium Choose a colour from the wide number of Resene testpots available and mix one 60ml Resene testpot to one litre of Resene Paint Effects Medium. You can create your own personalised paint effects colours simply by experimenting with testpots of your choice or adding more or less to the effects medium. It is often surprising the colour that results when a testpot is added to Resene Paint Effects Medium, so always make sure you test your colour before starting the project. By subtly adjusting either the basecoat or your chosen paint effects topcoat you can create a whole new look. The key to paint effects is to develop your own colour combinations and application technique to add your distinctive mark to the completed job. If you are hiring someone to create the painted effect for you, ask them to prepare a sample panel and agree on that as your standard before the job starts. This way, all parties will know what the finish will look like. If worse comes to worse and the final finish is not what you had in mind, you can always create a new paint effect by reapplying the basecoats and paint effects medium topcoat/s. Resene Kingfisher Blue Resene Nocturnal Colourwashing (below left) is used to get a stronger colour and results in a lovely softly broken colour. A lighter colour base usually works best as it glows through the topcoat. Generally the best colour combinations are those that are close to each other in the colour spectrum. For example, creams through to yellow oxides, oxide based pinks through to oxide reds or greyed blues through to purple blues. Colourwashing may be done over a smooth wall or over a textured finish, such as Resene Sandtex. You can create a limewash effect (top left) using exactly the same technique, but by choosing a plastered or textured surface, and softer more natural colours. You can use these techniques to also create a rust effect finish and a weathered or concrete effects style finish. All you need to do is vary the colours used. For a concrete effects finish use colours such as Resene Quarter Stack over Resene Concrete. Top: A limewash effect on a plastered fireplace using Resene Putty over Resene Orchid White. Above: A colourwash effect created by using Resene Cove Grey over Resene Kingfisher Blue. Resene Orchid White Resene Putty Resene Cove Grey Right: These French washed panels are created using a basecoat of Resene Double Alabaster with Resene Silver Chalice on top. The wall above is Resene Triple Sea Fog, the console is Resene Blast Grey 1 metallic, and the floor and shelves are Resene Double Alabaster. Limewash or French wash was historically a very dilute form of quicklime applied to walls as a protective or decorative coating. You can get the same effect using a paint effects finish over painted basecoats. Here’s how: 1 Apply two basecoats, using Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in a light colour – this room uses Resene Double Alabaster. 2 Using a darker colour (this is Resene Silver Chalice), dilute the paint using Resene Paint Effects Medium, and add Resene Hot Weather Additive to slow drying. Use a ratio of 40% paint colour, 50% medium and 10% additive. 3 Working quickly, brush the darker colour over the base colour in a criss-cross pattern. 4 Immediately wipe off with a dish cloth or piece of muslin, using a soft downwards motion, to reveal some of the basecoat and create a streaky look. Resene Silver Chalice Resene Double Alabaster Resene Blast Grey 1 Resene Triple Sea Fog 4 | 4 | | 5