Bring luxury and texture to your space with this inspiring Venetian plaster wall art technique!
In this tutorial, Lyonella Cook from Sandpaper and Wax Design walks us through how she gave her office bathroom a stunning transformation using Amy Howard at Home Venetian Plaster, Manor Born Wall Paint, and a mix of freehand and stencil techniques.
Whether you're tackling a beat-up wall or looking to add sculptural detail to your home, this tutorial shows how to create dimension, texture, and beauty—all on a budget.
Products Used:
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Mylar Stencil (DIY or Store-Bought)
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Animal Glue (Rabbit Skin Glue)
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Natural Joint Compound (Low-VOC, No VOC)
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Artist Brushes and Clay Sculpting Tools
Step 1: Prep Your Walls with Manor Born Paint
Before adding any plaster, Lyonella painted the bathroom walls using Amy Howard Manor Born Wall Paint in Boggle Buddies. This color provided a rich contrast against the textured plaster relief.
Why Manor Born?
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Excellent at hiding wall imperfections (especially helpful on less-than-perfect drywall)
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Matte finish with depth
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Durable and easy to apply with two coats recommended
Pro Tip:
If spraying your wall paint, thin it slightly for better application (about 3 tablespoons of water per gallon for sprayers).
Step 2: Create Your Custom Stencil (Optional)
For part of the wall, Lyonella used a DIY Mylar stencil cut from a 12" roll. She designed a custom palm tree motif, perfect for Florida vibes.
Stencil Tips:
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Use Mylar (minimum 4 mil thickness for wall applications)
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Design your own or use a Cricut if you're tech-savvy
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Secure with painter’s tape (bonus: Manor Born paint won’t peel when tape is removed!)
Step 3: Mix Your Venetian Plaster for Stenciling
Lyonella used a slightly thicker-than-normal Venetian plaster mix to prevent sloppiness under the stencil.
Basic Venetian Plaster Mixing Ratio:
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Start with water in your bowl
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Slowly add plaster powder
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Aim for a spreadable, frosting-like consistency
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Let sit for a few minutes before using
Application:
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Use a small plastic or metal trowel
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Apply in one direction over the stencil
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Gently lift the stencil to reveal the design
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Optional: Build up layers for more dimension
Step 4: Make a Sculptural Plaster Mixture (Advanced)
For her freehand tree design, Lyonella mixed a hybrid plaster recipe for added strength and workability:
Sculptural Plaster Mix:
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½ cup water (start small!)
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Add pre-made animal glue (rabbit skin glue)
(kept warm or room temp for better results) -
Gradually add Amy Howard Venetian Plaster powder
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Add 1 tablespoon of natural joint compound to help with thickness and adhesion on vertical surfaces
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Optional: Use a blender or hand mixer to eliminate lumps
Why Animal Glue?
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Adds strength and flexibility
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Helps reduce cracking
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Keeps the mixture workable longer for sculpting
Step 5: Apply and Sculpt Your Wall Art
For her Venetian plaster wall sculpture, Lyonella freehand sketched her design directly on the wall with pencil.
Techniques Used:
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Freehand building: Apply plaster with a small trowel or artist brush, slowly building up texture and dimension
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Layering: Mist dry layers with water before adding new layers for better adhesion
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Carving: Once partially set, use clay tools or carving tools to add lines, texture, or refine details
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Optional 3D Elements: Lyonella used wire mesh and foam board to add more depth to her leaves and branches
Step 6: Finish and Detail Work
Once dry:
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Sand rough edges with fine-grit sandpaper if needed
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Add more layers for texture
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Burnish lightly if you want more sheen on the plaster
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Optional: Add metallic waxes or pigments for extra drama
Final Results: A Stunning Sculptural Accent Wall!
From basic Venetian plaster through a stencil to a fully sculpted wall art tree, Lyonella’s project proves how transformative and artistic plaster work can be—even in small spaces like a bathroom!