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A DIY bright idea for International Colour Day

17 Mar 2022

International Colour Day falls on March 21, and what better way to celebrate than with a bold DIY. Colour has played a key role in our existence from the beginning of time. Different pigments have been used to paint and write with for centuries. One of the oldest known pigments, red ochre, was discovered in a pre-historic cave painting. Celebrate a world of colour this week and enjoy this bright idea – it’s sure to add zest to any dull lampshade in your home. 

DIY paint pour light

You will need:

- Your chosen Resene paint colours. Fleur used Resene Kaitoke Green, Resene Pacifika, Resene Hot ToddyResene Alert Tan and Resene Mexican Red

  • Old lightshade
  • Paintbrush
  • Teaspoons (to drip the paint)
  • Drop cloth/newspaper

 

Step 1: Start by painting the lightshade with your darkest shade.

Step 2: Put down a drop cloth/newsprint paper/newspaper to catch the drips. Prop the lightshade up so that the bottom rim isn’t sitting on the paper.  Fleur used a paint tin, but a tall cup or an upturned plastic plant pot would work fine too.

Step 3: Use a teaspoon to drizzle on your first Resene paint colour.  Experiment with putting on lots of paint and little amounts of paint and see how far it will run down the shade.

Step 4: Repeat this process by pouring on the next four Resene colours. You can use more colours if you wish.

Step 5: Leave the shade to finish dripping and dry. The paint will be quite thick in places so it may be best to leave it dry overnight.

The finished coloured lamp is striking against a wall in Resene Rapture and a bookcase in Resene Half Rice Cake.

project and images Fleur Thorpe 

Published: 17 Mar 2022