A1 Painting, . Some textures are applied with a pan and knife or a hawk and trowel. Some drywall textures make use of special brushes to stomp or swirl patterns in the mud. At times drywall mud is applied to drywall surface using a paint roller or high powered paint sprayer. Brushes or knives or rollers are then used to create patterns in the mud. Hand drywall textures can vary depending on the skill level or techniques used. Even when using similar techniques, two different tradesmen can produce very different drywall texture styles.