How to Paint Diagonal Stripes

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Free-handing perfect diagonal lines is nearly impossible. Achieve crisp-edged results on any surface with a few simple techniques.

Free-handing perfect diagonal lines is nearly impossible, but you can achieve crisp-edged results with a few simple techniques. Add visual interest to a wall, headboard or coffee table by adding colorful diagonal lines with your favorite acrylic paints!

Things You Will Need

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  • Painter's tape 
  • Yardstick 
  • Pencil 
  • Acrylic paint 
  • Paint brushes 
  • Paint roller
  • Stretched canvas, plywood or primed wall

Mark Center

  • Using a yardstick, measure the width of the surface and mark its vertical centerline at both ends. Connect these points by drawing a faint pencil line between them.

    • Measure angle of stripe

  • Use a straightedge to determine the slope of your stripes. Lightly pencil in your first diagonal line, repeating on the other side if applicable.

    • Measure stripe width

  • Draw evenly-spaced lines using your straightedge as a guide or mark smaller increments from your original line to create various stripe widths.

    • Tip

    Vary your stripe width randomly for an artistic approach to the classic chevron print.

    Tape off sections and paint stripes

  • Following guidelines, tape off the sections with painter's tape. Then apply several coats of acrylic paint to stripes.

    • Tip

    Always pull the paintbrush over and away from the edge of the tape -- otherwise paint will be forced under the edge and won't create a clean line.

    Varnish and mount

  • Seal your dried artwork with several layers of matte or gloss varnish for an even finish. Mount on a wall as a patterned headboard or add short table legs for a custom chevron coffee table.

  • To use this same method to create chic striped walls, simply increase your stripe width to suit the scale of the wall or project.

  • Have questions about this project? Ideas on surfaces to paint stripes on? Share them with us in the comment section below!

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