Layering Milk Paint to Create a Custom Wall Treatment
I like to work with different paint products because they all have their own specific features that make them perfectly suitable for that one project. But when I want to make something artistic I always prefer to use Milk Paint. This product is so versatile in itself that it can often be used in an infinite number of ways and you can achieve as many different results and looks with it.
In addition, the product is extremely safe to use. Which is very important to me. Except for a single dye, Milk Paint is completely natural and therefore very environmentally friendly!
The first thing you think is of course painting that cupboard, but what if I tell you that you can even paint your curtains with Milk Paint and also the walls! In this blog I will show you how I made this artistic wall. Best of all, you can take as many or as few steps as you want! You can stop at any time! And of course you can choose your own colors! If you want to go further than just step 1, I advise you to work with at least 2 colors, but my personal preference is for at least 3 colors or color nuances. In that case, always start with the darkest color and end with the lightest.
What do you need
At least 3 colors of Milk Paint
As many containers or cups to mix your paint in
Measuring spoon
Whisk (mini whisk) or jar with lid to mix your Milk paint
5cm wide brush (synthetic or natural hair)
Bowl or dish that is large enough to wring out a dishcloth
A lint-free cloth
Gloves
Step 1
If you want to work with multiple layers, choose the darkest color for step 1. I chose the deep brown color "Curio" here. Because I wanted to see some white through it, I made the paint a little thinner. If you want an even look, you can of course also apply this layer with a roller.
For this 7.5 square meter wall I mixed 8 scoops of paint and 12 scoops of water. A normal ratio is 1 to 1, but with Milk Paint you can play very easily by adding more or less water. Because my wall is also a highly absorbent surface, I deliberately made the paint a bit thinner.
I chose to draw semi-circles on the wall with a 5cm wide brush that overlap each other. Crisscross each other and over each other until the desired result is achieved. You can clearly see that here and there white from the background is coming through.
After this comes the real artistic part
Step 2
Ready to release your artistic powers? It seems like a lot but it is not difficult, anyone can do this and remember that there is no right or wrong! Also a common mistake at the start is to think that it does not work out fine or that it is not beautiful. I would say go on and when you have done a meter stand at a distance and view your work from here! Looks very different doesn't it? And tell yourself from what distance do you normally view your walls, yes ... not from the point where you were just working.
Back 2 work ... but how ... first of all, be patient, the previous layer must be dry first. But since you still have to mix the paint and Milk Paint dries quickly, you can probably continue on the same side as you started with step 1.
You will need a paint tray or bowl for this. Take something big enough to wring out a dishcloth above with 2 hands. In this step I chose the bright orange color "Outback petticoat". Put the paint in the container and take your lint-free cloth with it. Give the cloth a few twists and fold the outer edges inward until the cloth is about the width of your 2 hands together. Repeat this every time you need to get paint. Now dip the cloth in the paint and squeeze it lightly until at least it doesn't drip too much.
Now comes the funnest part. Roll the cloth over the wall. As shown in the video. This again crisscross and if desired overlapping until the desired result is achieved. We call this technique the wrapping method. You get an irregular yet even result with this! Nobody has such a wall.
Remember that you can stop at any time, so you don't have to apply another coat of paint if you don't want to, but it does add depth and makes the contrast more nuanced.
Step 3
For this step I chose "Miss Mustard Seed's Yellow" which I lightened up with "Farmhouse White". I used 6 scoops of Yellow, 2 scoops of White and 10 scoops of water. Again, therefore, slightly thinner than the standard ratio. It is now a matter of repeating the process. So wring, twisting and wrapping the wall. until the result is the way you would like it to be.
I stopped wrapping after this step but if you are not completely satisfied you can repeat one of the previously used colors again or add an extra color.
Step 4
This is the least fun step of the process, but I recommend that you do it! Since Milk Paint is a porous product, grease and dirt will be able to adhere to it. Now you can ask yourself how dirty a wall will become, that of course differs per room, but the paint also remains sensitive to water. All this considered together gives a slightly more pleasant feeling to finish the wall with a coating. An additional advantage is that the colors become slightly more intense and deeper.
You can use the Miss Mustard Seed's Tough Coat for this. This is an ultra-matte and non-yellowing polyurethane, but it always has some shine when the light hits it in a certain way. For that reason I chose the Polyvine Decorators varnish, which is also available in our webshop. This product also protects the Milk Paint against dirt, grease and water and gives the colors more intensity. But it remains completely matte.
I hope this blog has inspired you to do something different than the usual with this amazing paint. What are you going to paint with Milk Paint? Let us know! If you have any questions or comments about this Blog, please feel free to contact us!
- Tamara
Visit Tamara’s blog here.
