Wallpaper Painting With 3D Effect: Back To The Twenties

Friederike Schulz explains how wallpaper painting with a 3D effect is created and what you need for it in the 11th episode of the Malerblatt decoration painting series: a little skill in drawing lines and mixing the colors. In a few steps, an optical illusion was painted directly on the wall.

Authors: Friederike Schulz, Susanne Sachsenmaier-Wahl | Photos: Lars Krüger

Why should you choose wallpaper painting when you can simply stick a pattern wallpaper to the wall? You may be asking yourself that now. Firstly, because every imitation is simply exciting. After all, today you would no longer have to imitate marble or precious wood. Nevertheless, these imitations still have their own special charm. Maybe we just want to be a bit deceived. And then be proud when we have realized that it is "just" an imitation. The self-painted wallpaper also offers another decisive advantage: the complete freedom of choice of color, so that the customer receives the optimal color tone for his premises. And last but not least, every hand-painted wall is unique - and therefore has a completely different value than a wallpapered wall.

The right color tone

In order to achieve the right effect, starting from a full tone, the individual shades for the three-dimensional stripes are mixed in shades of white. If the gradations are right, the rest is just hard work. It is important that a sufficient amount of the full tone is mixed, as it provides the starting point for all other tones. In this example, artist acrylic paints and a glaze made from a lot of water with a third binder and two percent pigment were used. However, this technique is possible with all color systems - however, in the case of glue or lime colors, the final glaze is dispensed with due to the water solubility.

In addition to a yardstick for measuring and a chalk line, you only need very little tools for wallpaper painting. A line puller and a ruler are sufficient for the actual technique. For the finish there is also a modler and a glaze color.

And that's how wallpaper painting is done

The background for the painted wallpaper is painted monochrome - if possible with a color that is relatively close to the brightest area.

Now the "customization" follows. Using the chalk line, a vertical line is drawn as the starting point for the first strokes. Then brush and paint come into play. The first complete stripe segment is drawn at regular intervals along the line with a line puller. Now you can measure the width of the segment and spread this dimension over the entire wall area. The darkest shade is drawn along the line. Ideally, all strokes of one color should be carried out one after the other, thus avoiding unnecessary brush changes or washing them out. This is followed by the lighter gradations, each over the entire area. The first step is to set the darkest line with the lightest gradation. Then the lines get darker,until the darkest color gradation meets the next stroke drawn first. So line after line and the wall seems to arch. In addition to the great visual effect, there is a nice side effect: If you were still a little unsure about how to draw a line, you will have routine in it at the latest after the completion of such a wall.

To achieve more depth and homogeneity, the entire surface is then reworked with a thin glaze made of pigment, binder and water. If the stripe pattern, as in the example shown here, was designed as a frieze, an end strip can be attached to the upper edge. This reinforces the plastic impression.

Other episodes of the decorative painting series:

Painted fabric

Painted mahogany wood

Wall in a tartan skirt

Three-dimensional painting

Not quite in white: imitation brèche grise marble

Black gold: imitation of Portor marble

Classic Art Nouveau painting: based on an old pattern

Floor painting: concrete floors with chic

Sky painting: fair weather clouds

Gilding with metal: fake gold

Photo: Lars Krüger

It is important to mix the colors precisely beforehand. The darkest color is the fundamental

from which all other colors are mixed.

Photo: Lars Krüger

The chalk line is used to mark a vertical line as the starting point for the first lines.

Photo: Lars Krüger

With a line puller the first thing is along

the first complete strip segment is painted on the line at regular intervals.

Photo: Lars Krüger

The width of the finished segment is about

marked the complete wall surface and

struck.

Photo: Lars Krüger

The darkest will be along the line

Sound drawn. To work more rationally

once on the entire wall surface.

Photo: Lars Krüger

Now the slowly grading bright lines follow. Here too, every color is applied to the entire wall surface.

Photo: Lars Krüger

Darker lines follow, until finally the last gap with the darkest gradation

is filled.

Photo: Lars Krüger

To get more depth and homogeneity, the entire surface is covered with a thin glaze of pigment, binder and water.