Step 1: Pour Paint into the Pans

Pour the dark latex paint for the base coat and light latex paint for the over coat into separate cake pans. Karen used a woodsy juniper green as the base coat, and a very light, almost white, celadon as the over coat.

Step 2: Use a Sponge to Wipe on Paint

Wear rubber gloves for this step. Dampen a sponge and wring it out thoroughly. Press the sponge into the base coat until every fiber of the sponge is drenched (Image 1). Lightly wipe the paint over your surface (Image 2).

Step 3: Apply the Over Coat

Let the base coat dry a few minutes, until tacky, then lightly drag a sponge loaded with the over coat across the surface. The sponge should be loaded with paint on one side but not dripping. Use the clean side of the sponge to go over the surface again and pull off the extra paint.

That's it: fast, foolproof and colorful.