Painting

Interior Decorative Painting Tips

Dragging and Linen Weave

Apply glaze in the vertical pattern of dragging, or create the look of linen by working wet glaze both vertically and horizontally. For larger surfaces, you will find you can work more quickly by using a wall weaver brush for dragging. After you've finished each section, you can soften the look by using a clean, dry softening brush and lightly brushing the tips of the brush over the damp surface. Keep the brushstrokes in the same direction as the lines.

Materials and Tools Needed

Here's everything you'll need for this painting technique.

Valspar® Interior Base Coat in desired color Valspar® Signature Colors® Faux Glaze OR
Paint Roller with 3/8" Nap and Paint Tray Valspar® Signature Colors® Faux Tintable Glaze
Dragging Brush Painter's Tape and Drop Cloth
Practice Board (optional) Softening Brush (optional)
Wall Weaver Brush (optional)  

Dragging Paint Technique

Step 1. Before you begin, carefully tape off all areas where you do not want to apply the finish. Apply Valspar base coat to the entire surface with a roller. Remove tape. Allow to dry overnight.

Valspar Signature Colors Faux Glaze

Step 2. Reapply tape. Apply selected glaze with a roller. Work in wall sections no wider than 4-6 ft. at a time so the glaze does not dry too quickly. Maintain a wet edge from section to section to prevent lap marks. Only stop at the end of a wall.

Valspar Signature Colors Faux Glaze

Step 3. Using a dragging brush and holding bristles parallel to surface, drag the brush down through the wet glaze. Work from top to bottom, holding the bristles of the brush against surface with handle tilted slightly toward you. This keeps the bristles rigid, creating the streaked look. Wipe excess glaze from the brush after each downward pass to ensure a dry brushing surface. Remove tape within an hour and allow to dry.

Linen Weave Paint Technique

Step 1. Apply the glaze with a short nap roller over the dry base coat.

Step 2. Using a dragging brush or a wall weaver brush, drag the wall vertically from top to bottom. Clean the brush at the end of every stroke. Allow the glaze to dry overnight.

Step 3. Apply a new coating of glaze by rolling on horizontally from left to right.

Valspar Signature Colors Faux Glaze

Step 4. Using a dragging brush or wall weaver brush, drag the wall horizontally, from left to right. Again, clean the brush at the end of every stroke. Only stop working at natural breaks such as corners, doors or windows. Section off large walls into 3-4 foot areas so the glaze does not dry before you are finished.

Popular Color Combinations

Valspar Signature Colors Faux Glaze

Linen Weave shown in Base Coat: 4008-3A Rising Tide, Glaze: 4008-3C Silver Fox

Valspar Signature Colors Faux Glaze

Dragging Technique shown in Base Coat: 5001-8C Deep Sea Diving, Glaze: Taupe

Valspar Signature Colors Faux Glaze

Linen Weave shown in Base Coat: 3004-8C Lyndhurst Estate Cream, Glaze: 4005-1C Metropolis

Valspar Signature Colors Faux Glaze

Dragging Technique shown in Base Coat: 3006-6A Lazy Sun, Glaze: Mocha

Valspar Signature Colors Faux Glaze

Linen Weave shown in Base Coat: 3003-8A Fairmont Suite Gold, Glaze: Metallic Gold

Valspar Signature Colors Faux Glaze

Dragging Technique shown in Base Coat: 6003-3B Martinique Dawn, Glaze: 6003-4A Gentle Pasture

Color accuracy will vary based on monitor and printer calibrations. Please visit your local retailer to view actual color samples before making final painting decisions.

Tips for Success

After you've finished each section, you can soften the look by using a clean, dry softening brush and lightly brushing the tips of the brush over the damp surface. Keep the brushstrokes in the same direction as the streaks.

For a longer open working time use Valspar Interior Semi-Gloss Enamel as a base coat. This will extend the workability of the glaze and will also result in a higher overall sheen level of the faux finish.

Valspar Signature Colors Faux Glaze is ideal for rewetting a partly dry edge. The Clear Mixing Glaze will rewet the dry glaze, allowing you to continue your technique.

For larger surfaces, you will find you can work more quickly by using a wall weaver brush for dragging. Follow the same technique, but replace the dragging brush with a wall weaver brush (See photo above). You will still want to use the dragging brush for corners and other tight areas.

Choose from our pre-mixed colors or have your glaze color custom-tinted at the paint counter.

Try your technique on a practice board before you try it on the walls.

For a simple transformation or quick update, this technique is easy to paint over. No sanding or stripping of the underlying faux finish is needed. Just apply a topcoat of paint and you're done!

Valspar Painting DIY

More information about proper surface preparation, and advanced techniques.