Landscapers use colour as a powerful design tool to achieve remarkable results in gardens every day. Ordinarily this is done through the use of plants and flowers - however paint can also be used very effectively, yet cheaply, to dress-up gardens and to act as a foil for plants. Coloured walls can make plants more visible, conversely plants can also be used as a backdrop for coloured walls. When used carefully, paint gives the landscaper the opportunity to create interest in the garden with different effects. It can be used on all sorts of things to change the mood or create an impact.

Stunning effects can be created with very simple designs or geometric shapes. Just using a couple of plain colours can achieve a lot.

By introducing bright colours, you can really liven up the atmosphere of an area. Using cool colours (eg. blues and greens) will create a psychologically calming effect all year round.

Consider painting pots, seats, walls, concrete or paved areas, even glass in windows. Patterns might be painted on concrete to create the illusion of pavers; or if you have the artistic ability you can create any sort of image such as a landscape scene, a portrait, or perhaps a pond complete with fish and water plants.

Paint can be used to change the colour of something in order to create contrast or to make something appear more subdued. A bright white seat for instance might stand out too much, but with a coat of dark green paint, its appearance becomes more subdued, fitting in amongst surrounding plants. A large decorative terracotta planter can create more impact, if painted to make it stand out.

CONSIDER THE SURROUNDINGS

Before you paint anything, consider the things that surround it. If you want to create contrast, choose colours that are opposite to the predominant colours that surround that feature. If you want the thing you are painting to fit in, choose a colour or colours that match or complement the colours of surrounding items.

BE DARING

The great thing about painting something is that if it doesn’t work, you can paint over and start again. Before you start though, you need to not only decide what surfaces you will paint over, but what colours, designs or images you will paint onto that surface. If you plan to paint a design or image, draw it on paper first, then when you get it right, draw it lightly with a pencil on the wall, pot, concrete or other surface you plan to paint. Don’t limit yourself to 2-dimensionsal images try to create the appearance of “real objects”.

WHAT TYPE OF PAINT

Some paints work well with particular materials, but not with others. If you are painting an absorbent surface such as wood or terracotta, you may need to use an undercoat first. Always consult a paint expert before buying (or using) paint. Most paint shops have experts who are trained in the intricacies of such decisions.

For Timber

• Clear finishes protect the timber, and preserve the natural colour and grain of the timber. Not recommended for rough sawn timber, and only lasts a couple of years.
• Stains help protect the timber, and will highlight the natural grain of timbers, but will alter the colour. Stained surfaces usually require more maintenance than painted surfaces.
• Paints will provide the highest level of protection to timber, but will alter its appearance. Paints offer the widest range of colour selections.

Other Surfaces

• Paints are used for other surfaces such as metal or plastic. Water-based paints are generally easier to use then oil, or to wash off painted surfaces (prior to drying) if you make a mistake or change your mind.
• Use paints designed specifically for concrete and paved areas. You cannot use just any type of paint on a concrete path - it may quickly wear off.

Wall or Fence Paintings

Some ideas:

• Tromp L’Oeil (Trick of the Eye) - These are realistic images meant to make you think the painting is part of the garden and in doing so extend the scope and the feel of the garden. An example might be a picture of people in a garden beyond the wall on which it is painted, as though there is a hole or gateway in the wall, which you are looking through.
• Abstract images – obviously not realistic like Tromp L’Oeil, but can add colour and interest.
• Designs or patterns, such as waves, sun rays, flames, or clouds.

Some More Ideas

• Paint a doorway or gateway where there is not a real one.
• Paint a pond on an area of otherwise boring concrete.
• Attach a smooth panel to a wall and paint it one colour to create a backdrop for a modern/minimalist garden.
• Paint a picture of climber on a wall or a column.
• Paint pictures of pots of plants on a wall, and put a few real pots of plants just in front of them.

   

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