How to paint a wall with a smooth transition of color. Ombre wall painting or gradient painting

Ombre wall painting is very popular in modern interior design, while the room takes on a unique character and looks quite impressive. An important factor is that painting with a transition is possible with your own hands, for this you need to follow the recommendations for performing this type of work.

Ombre on the walls means a smooth transition from one color to another, without indicating clear boundaries. In this case, transitions can be used not only on walls, but also in furniture decoration, color design of curtains and other interior elements. When coloring with a transition, it is possible to visually enlarge the space, boldly combining all kinds of shades.

In order to clearly know and understand how to paint with a transition, it should be borne in mind that the application can be carried out horizontally, vertically, diagonally, and painting can also be divergent or mixed. The transitions themselves can be made both smooth and quite sharp.

Color combination

For the ombre technique, 2-3 colors or more are chosen, depending on which combination is supposed to be recreated on the wall. Regardless of which shade you choose, it is important that all subsequent ones are combined with it. If a subtle transition is made, it is better to use close shades or neutral ones. Some prefer sharp transitions of completely different and contrasting colors, which will revive and fill any interior with colors.

You can pick up several shades and paint the walls with them, for example, one plane will be blue, the other gray, etc. White is often added to the painted surface for greater expressiveness of the overall gamut.

Possible effects

Depending on the placement of dark and light areas on the surface, the following effects can be achieved:

• Darkening the bottom and brightening the top of the wall- the ability to vertically increase the space, the ceiling seems higher, and the floor - powerful and reliable.

Related article: How to paint the walls in the nursery: the choice of paint and color

• Darkening the top- visual expansion of the room. The boundaries of the walls and floor are slightly blurred, especially if the flooring is made in light colors.

• Darkening the corners and brightening the wall in the middle- the room is noticeably rounded and visually narrowed. The interior acquires contrast and relief lines.

• Lightening corners and areas near windows with darkening the walls in the middle- there is a visual expansion of the room, while the room becomes brighter and more positive.

• With a diagonal or wavy transition- smoothing of straight lines and angles is observed, the room acquires more dynamics.
• Spot with transition in different directions- can be used to repair a small area of ​​\u200b\u200bfinishing, as a result, the boundaries of this zone become less noticeable.

Painting walls with a gradient is a rather complicated technique, so the services of professionals will be quite expensive. However, you can make an ombre with your own hands, a special application technique will help you do the job without additional help.

On the video: the original painting of the walls.

Surface preparation

Before you paint on the wall, you need to clean the surface. Old finishes should be removed using special liquids. Wallpaper can be softened with water and peeled off with a spatula. After that, it is important to remove all irregularities from the surface. For this, putties and plasters are used. Before and after puttying, a layer of primer is applied, which increases adhesion and facilitates the process of applying the paint of the selected color.

If you choose striped ombre coloring, you should first apply markings. This is done with a pencil and a long ruler. Then masking tape is glued onto the markings, which will ensure the evenness of the painting and make the transition in the desired area.

When choosing colors, it is important to consider the functional purpose of the room. For a nursery, it is better to choose soft and light colors. The playroom will stand out well with the three-color painting technique. If we talk about the bedroom, calm tones are preferable, creating an atmosphere of warmth and tranquility. But for the kitchen, a combination of bright colors - orange, light green, pink, etc. will be an excellent option.

Related article: How much paint is consumed per 1 m2 for facade plaster?

How to paint walls (step by step)

To date, the most popular coloring is a horizontal ombre, which allows you to achieve a unique and beautiful design of the premises. You can make a smooth transition from one tone to another using a regular roller or brush. However, in this case, it will be necessary to polish the transition points of the shade, which takes a lot of time and effort.

A better result will be obtained if you use a spray gun. The device has the function of adjusting the intensity of the paint supply, which will create a natural, lighter tone on the desired area.

Ombre is performed in several steps:

1. The base color paint must be diluted with a viscometer to the desired consistency. In the same way, white paint of the same brand is diluted.
2. Next, you need to mix colored and white paints to get the lightest possible tone. The resulting composition is poured into the spray gun, after which the entire wall area is painted. Thus, the base color was obtained.
3. The airbrush is thoroughly washed, after which it should be filled with unclarified paint and the composition should be applied to the lower part of the wall.
4. After washing, the device is refilled with a lighter paint. Before carrying out work, it is better to choose the right tone using a regular cardboard and adjusting the paint supply or changing the distance of the sprayer relative to the wall. When painting, a light stripe is applied to a darker layer up to half its height.
5. The last strip is applied in the same way. The paint should be slightly darker than the base shade. To smooth the boundaries, the spray nozzle must be moved away from the surface at a suitable distance.

If there is no spray gun, and only a paint roller is at hand, it does not matter! You can perform gradient staining according to the scheme below.

If the work is done with a brush, you can make a normal transition on an incompletely dried surface with a soft brush, this will achieve the desired effect. If the layer has already hardened, you can use a stiff brush.

Related article: Suitable colors for the walls in the hallway

By decorating ombre walls with ordinary paint, you can adjust the height and width of the rooms, while creating the right atmosphere. Now you are not faced with the question of how to paint the walls to achieve the desired result, you just need to follow a few recommendations for applying paint, because any adult can cope with the task.

Tips for creating an ombre effect on the wall (2 videos)

Coloring options (28 photos)

Ombre is a fashion trend of our time. It is used everywhere - in salons, in production, in interior design. Ombre is a transition from one color to another, from bright to calm. This color technique for painting walls is also called a gradient, and it began to be used in interiors not so long ago.

A gradient color stretch imitates horizontal stripes of colors that blend seamlessly into each other. The top of the wall is painted in the lightest, pastel colors, which fade into a medium color, which blends into the darkest shade at the bottom of the wall.

Where is the best place to apply a gradient in the interior

This coloring will look best on a single, accent wall. Colors that contrast the least with each other will look best, and mixing them will not cause trouble. Tools and consumables for work:

• Primer
• Roulette
• Pencil
• Level
• Stool or stairs
• Duct tape
• Two or three paint colors
• measuring cup
• Bucket or plastic container
• 3 trays of paint
• 3 medium paint rollers and holder
• small brush
• Two large brushes

Create a Gradient Effect

Before staining, you need to decide in which direction to direct the flow of color. The option, where the dark top smoothly flows into the light bottom, visually enlarges the space, making the ceiling appear higher. A transition where a light top blends into a dark bottom can make a large room feel cozier. Staining sequence:

1. Clean the surface. Using a cloth or cellulose sponge moistened with water and a small amount of mild dishwashing liquid, wipe the walls to be painted to remove dust and dirt.
2. Rinse the walls with clean water to remove soap residue.
3. Patch all holes with light putty.
4. Remove dust.
5. Cover the wall with an even coat of white primer using a standard roller and brush.
6. Take a tape with which you can mark the areas of the gradient.
7. Divide the wall into three equal horizontal sections using a tape measure, pencil, and measuring stick.
8. Measure vertically and make light pencil marks for each shade, then use the measuring stick and pencil to draw light horizontal lines.
9. Roll the colors into stripes. Why take three paint trays. Fill one tray with dark color and the other with light color. Using a measuring cup and a bucket (a large container for yogurt or cottage cheese), mix the third color by combining the two shades in equal parts, then mix thoroughly with the paint. Pour the mixed paint into the third paint tray.
   Moisten the brush - one half in one color, and the other in another.

Important! You need to move the brush quickly, as the paint dries quickly.

The colors of the walls in a room are very important. They can set the mood and dictate the design of an entire room. Adding an ombre effect to an accent wall is a great way to bring your own flavor and originality to any room.

Wall painting with a color transition is back in fashion. The gradient method of applying paint allows you to revive and visually expand the interior, making it mobile and fresh.

We will tell you how do-it-yourself painting is done with a transition, and also give a number of useful tips for performing this type of work.

Gradient wall painting

Purpose and features

A gradient is a smooth transition from one color to another, in which a clear boundary between these shades is not visible. The style that uses color transition is called ombre.

At the same time, transitions can be observed not only in the design of furniture, in the colors of curtains and curtains, bed linen, in other decorative elements or shaped parts of the room. This technique is used to give the interior dynamics, a certain element of movement, as well as for visual effects of increasing space and creating depth and color relief.

If we look at the natural environment around us, we immediately notice that clear lines and geometry are alien to it, as well as the same repeating forms. Also, we will not be able to find right angles, squares, permanent borders and strict colors. Everything seems to flow from one state to another, the transitions are barely noticeable, the boundaries are blurred and changeable.

Such a picture is familiar to us, we ourselves are not distinguished by constancy and can change over time. However, the objects we have created contrast with this picture: our rooms, pieces of furniture, houses, roads, cities - all have regular shapes and right angles. In order to somehow smooth out this contrast, a gradient painting technique is used in interior design.

The direction of the gradient can be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, divergent or mixed.

By placing dark and light areas in different zones, you can achieve the following effects:

• When darkening the bottom of the wall and lightening the top the effect of a vertical increase in the room is created, the ceilings seem higher, and the floor seems more reliable and powerful;
• When darkening the top the impression of a leaving perspective is created, and the room visually expands. The boundaries between the floor and walls blur a little, especially if the color of the flooring is light;
• When darkening the corners and lightening the middle of the wall the room loses its squareness a little, rounds off, while it may seem somewhat narrower. The interior becomes more contrasting and embossed;
• When lightening corners and window zones while darkening the middle sections of the walls the room expands and becomes brighter. The contrast drops and the lighting becomes more positive and brighter;
• Diagonal and wavy transitions they bring more dynamics, the room becomes less strict and geometric, straight lines and corners are visually smoothed;
• Stain painting with a transition in divergent directions used in cases where it is necessary to repair a small area of ​​​​finishing and make the boundaries of this zone invisible. Also, this method allows you to "break" the rectangular geometry of the walls and adds depth to them.

Important!
The ombre technique is a fairly complex type of painting craft, and the price of such work performed by a professional is usually relatively high.
However, there is a technique for performing gradient painting on your own, which will help you cope with the task without outside help.

Ways to perform transitions

There are many ways to make the transition from one shade to another, so before you paint with the transition, you should choose the method that suits us. This can be painting from a spray can with a transition, using an airbrush, using a roller or brush, followed by polishing the borders, using a sponge or brush trimming technique, creating sharp borders, and other techniques.

The most effective way to paint with a transition with smooth "flowing" borders is to work with a professional spray gun or airbrush. This tool allows you to adjust the intensity of the paint supply during the finishing process, moreover, the specificity of the coating is such that the stain has a natural halo of a lighter shade, which can be used as a border between zones of different colors.

When using, you will have to decide how to polish the paint transition, and this can take a lot of time and work, because it is not so easy to fill your hand, and ruining the walls in your own house is far from the best option. The most difficult thing is to paint with a transition to silver, since it is very difficult to evenly distribute aluminum shavings.

Painting with a smooth transition

Let's move on to the practical side of the issue.

Our instruction will tell you how to make a smooth transition between tones with your own hands:

1. We wash the spray gun and prepare for work, set the desired air supply pressure and dilute the paint to the desired consistency using a viscometer. It is better to use a conventional high pressure device or HVLP, the nozzle must be universal and adjustable;

1. Separately, we breed white paint of the same brand, then mix both colors to the lightest possible shade. Pour the paint into the tank and apply it to the entire wall;

1. We wash the airbrush and pour unclarified paint, apply a dark strip on the lower part of the wall one-fourth of its size high. Approaching the upper border of the strip, we take the spray nozzle further from the wall, it is also possible to reduce the stroke of the locking needle and achieve a lower paint supply intensity;

1. We wash the device again, and fill it with slightly clarified paint. First, we try on a piece of cardboard and achieve such a distance and feed intensity that the main spot is slightly lighter than the upper border (halo) of the dark stripe. We apply a lighter layer above the dark zone up to half the height of the wall, we also make the upper border lighter by adjusting the feed and changing the distance to the nozzle;

1. We wash it so that it is a little darker than the base that we put on the wall. We make the third strip with a transition at the upper border;

1. We examine the result from different distances and under different lighting and, if necessary, correct the transitions by applying a dark or light fog with paint of the desired tone diluted to a watery consistency. In this case, the feed (needle stroke) is set to a minimum.

Important!
It is better to make horizontal borders not even, but slightly wavy.
This will give the transition more fluidity and smoothness.

Conclusion

The gradient way of applying paint is back in fashion. Smooth borders between shades allow you to create an original interior finish, enliven the design and create interesting effects. The video in this article will tell you about how to perform work in the ombre technique.

Ombre, or gradient, is a smooth transition of different colors or shades of the same color from light to dark and vice versa. The ombre effect was at its peak in the 70s of the last century. Wherever it was used - furniture, home textiles, clothes ... Today, this original technique is regaining its former glory, and gradient wall painting has become a trend in interior design. And well deserved! Ombre enlivens interiors and makes it easy to play with space - visually raise the height of ceilings and expand rooms.

To achieve the perfect result, experts recommend applying paint with a spray gun or airbrush. If you do not suffer from manic pedantry, you can safely forget this advice - brushes and a roller will do just fine. Non-professionals can also cope with painting walls using the ombre technique. Its charm lies in the fact that even a not quite smooth transition between shades can become a stylish "trick".

For coloring, you can use shades of the same color and even several different colors that blend harmoniously with each other. You should not take bright contrasting colors, it is better to give preference to natural pastels. Ideal combinations: blue - light blue - white, dark turquoise - light turquoise - white, peach - ivory. In general terms, the staining process looks like this. First, light paint is applied to the entire surface. After drying, the line of mixing paints is determined. Then a dark shade is applied to this line. Without waiting for the paint to dry, it is shaded with a wide dry brush, creating a smooth transition. If you want to use more colors or shades, they are applied sequentially, each time carefully blending the “contact” line. Before you start practicing, we advise you to master the theory and watch a couple of video tutorials that clearly show all the stages of creating the ombre effect. These videos are easy to find on the internet.

In the ombre technique, the color transition can be done not only from the floor to the ceiling. An interesting effect is also achieved due to the vertical stretching of the color. For example, when the corners of the room are painted in a darker tone, which becomes lighter towards the middle of the wall.

The word ombre comes from the French verb ombrer (“to shade, shade”). In the modern sense, ombre suggests the presence of colors that flow from one to another. This is especially true for fabrics whose color is graduated from light to dark. If we are talking about the ombre effect in the interior, then it can affect completely different facets of the room. We will talk about this unusual technique today.

A completely imperfect art form

In the history of textiles - fabrics and materials - the term ombre is used to define a technique for adding a gradient from light to dark. The beauty and versatility of this art form allows you to inscribe objects in the ombre technique, both as an additional design element and as an interior accent. In fact, there is no right or wrong way to implement the ombre technique in the interior, as it almost always looks advantageous and attracts attention.

The history of the origin of the ombre technique

The ombre technique is one of the branches of weaving processes that originated in Europe. Ombre was ubiquitous in bedspreads, furniture, and textiles during the American Civil Wars in the 19th century. Then the technique gained a new round of popularity at the end of the 20th century thanks to the disco style. Well, today the ombre is once again at the peak of its popularity in home decor. This ancient art form looks unusually fresh, modern and light.

Exquisite "varenka"

Often seen as a type of coloring technique, ombre is actually more than that. The technique brings a relaxed, free and bohemian chic to the realm of home decor, while at the same time it can be used to give a sophisticated and elegant look. Ombre is not limited to the presence on fabrics. As of today, the popularity of the gradient technique is so great that it is used to decorate the spaces of the house - from the living room and dining area to the bedroom and kitchen. The options for using ombre in the interior today are truly endless.

Ombre in your home

There are no restrictions on how ombre can be used at home. It really depends solely on you and your desires. Would you prefer something bold and daring, like painted walls or curtains in this technique, or something simpler and more restrained? Ombre can be added to your interior thanks to elements such as bedding, furniture, accessories - lampshades, lamps, pillows, carpets, etc.

How to make an ombre on fabric: a master class

How to dye fabric in ombre style? This question is faced by many housewives who want to introduce textiles made in this unusual technique into the interior of their home. Today we will talk about how to give ordinary fabric a gradient effect.

You will need:

• fabric dye,
• Several large bowls
• Water,
• Fabric (cotton, silk and viscose work best when working with dyes).

Training: the fabric must first be prepared and washed. During washing, you must make sure that the detergent is completely and thoroughly rinsed from the surface of the fabric. Under no circumstances should fabric softener be used during the prewash.

Step 1: prepare the dye solution

You can follow the exact instructions for the preparation of the coloring composition, which are recommended by the manufacturer of your coloring. And you can be creative. If you don't want the color to come out exactly as shown on the dye package, play around with other colors. Remember that you must prepare the dye for the darkest shade in your ombre palette.

Step 2: Dilute the dye liquid

After you have prepared the coloring solution, take several bowls, add the solution to one and dilute it in half with water, pour a clean coloring solution into the other, and in the third bowl there should be a coloring solution with water in a ratio of 1 to 4. Three colors are quite enough to make the ombre effect noticeable.

Step 3: start painting

Once you've diluted the solution, take your fabric and dip it in your lightest color to the height you'd like your ombre to start at. Finally, set a timer and move the cloth slightly in the solution (up and down) every few minutes. This will make the paint lines more unobtrusive. The same procedure should be done with the other two colors - then send the fabric into a liquid with a darker color, immersing it only halfway. And finally, in the darkest solution. The average time for immersing the material in each of the solutions is 15 minutes.

After dyeing, rinse the fabric in cold water before washing. Excess paint can stain the fabric unevenly, and to avoid this, rinse the material thoroughly. After that, wash and dry the fabric according to the dye manufacturer's instructions and based on the type of material you have worked with.

How to paint ombre walls?

Ombre walls are an incredible eye-catcher for any space. The effect suggests the presence of a color that seems to melt slowly and smoothly, turning into a different color. The result is a wonderful watercolor effect that spans the entire spectrum of interaction between two colors.

Doing an ombre on the walls with your own hands - sounds difficult to do? It's actually not as difficult as you think. All you need is a little patience and a guide to action.

Our simple step-by-step guide will guide you from start to finish, offering many useful tips and tricks on the way to creating ombre walls in your home.

You will need:

• measuring tape,
• Pencil,
• ladder or ladder,
• masking tape,
• Two color paint
• Beaker,
• Five liter bucket
• Large stirring stick
• Three large paint containers
• Three medium paint rollers,
• small brush,
• Several large brushes for painting.

Step 1: Choose two colors that go well together

To paint walls with a gradient, choosing shades that would be “friends” with each other can be quite difficult. If you're not sure which colors will work best in your home space, then arm yourself with the so-called "color wheel". Similar colors or colors that use the same base and are next to each other on the color wheel always work well together. Choose two adjacent shades for a sophisticated effect. Want a brighter result? Skip one shade on the color wheel by choosing the colors on the sides.

If you're planning on sticking with a single color variation, you'll want to choose the lightest and darkest shade of that color. Remember: the greater the difference, the more "daring" the result of the gradient on the walls will be.

To create a soft soothing effect, a couple of pale pastel shades from the middle of the wheel will do. Also, you can always choose one shade of paint and mix it with white. Do you prefer courage? Walk a little deeper in the spectrum and start with a light-medium shade and finish with something a little more saturated and rich.

Step 2: Divide the Wall into Sections

To create a gradient on the wall of a room with your own hands, you need to arm yourself with a pencil and a measuring tape to divide the wall horizontally into at least three equal parts. If you are working with two different shades of the same color, then three sections should be enough. If you're mixing one shade with white, or two completely different colors (like blue and green), you'll need more sections. Choose to divide the wall into an odd number of sections, such as seven or nine. This will help you in creating the starting point. Keep in mind that the more sections you create, the smoother the gradient and transition from one color to another will be.

Step 3: Give Direction to Your Flow

Before you start painting, you must decide in which direction you will vary the color. The transition from a dark shade to a light one makes the ceiling appear higher and the space appears wider. Likewise, going from light to dark can make a large room feel cozier.

Step 4: Prepare the Walls

Start painting by creating a clean, dry wall. Frame the edges of the floor, windows, and other exposed surfaces that may be touched by painting with painter's tape. Apply a thin layer of primer, and when it dries, begin the process of drawing the panels around the base of your wall using a small brush and the darkest shade of paint. Use a lighter shade of paint to complete the procedure at the junction with the ceiling.

Step 5: Get Started with the Ombre Effect

How to paint a wall divided into three sections?

1. If you are working with only three sections, then it is best to prepare all three paints in advance. Pour each of the two colors into a separate tray, then use a measuring cup to mix the third color into a separate tray, using the two original colors in equal parts.
2. Start working with areas - starting from the bottom, move up. Use the darkest color for the bottom, mixed for the middle, light for the top.
3. Using a large, dry paintbrush, immediately after application, begin blending the borders between the sections in X-shaped strokes. Just do not wait until the paint dries, but proceed with the procedure immediately after applying the flowers.

How to paint a wall divided into many sections?

1. If you have several sections, then you will have to mix colors as you paint. Start by combining in equal parts the two original colors that you have chosen as the base. So, you will create a third base color, from which you will move.
2. Paint the center section of the wall a mixed color.
3. Once you're done, add one dark color measuring cup to your mixed paint and use it to paint the section under the center. Continue like this, adding a little dark color and moving towards the bottom. After that, arm yourself with a large brush and use X-shaped movements to remove the clear boundaries between the sections. Paint the lowest part of the wall in the original dark color without any impurities.
4. Once you're done with the bottom of the wall, mix another batch of paint in half as in step 1. Repeat the previous step, adding one measuring cup of light paint for each section until you reach the top. Paint the top of the wall the original light shade.

• Leave a couple of centimeters between each color for blending. This will ensure that the transition effect is gradual and the borders between colors are not so obvious.
• Paints mix better before they dry, so it's much more efficient to work in small areas (of course, painting more than one wall at a time is hardly possible).
• Avoid latex and other quick drying paints. Oil paint dries much slower and mixes much more easily.
• Good blending requires working with a dry brush. Keep extra brushes on hand and change them as needed.

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