If you love the texture of crackle but would like a fuss free way to create it, check out this video tutorial for creating texture with gesso. This is a dimensional paint effect so not one to stamp or journal over, but it makes a fantastic tactile finish.
Faux Crackle paint effect. The really EASY way
You Will Need
Daler Rowney Gesso; White
Broad Palette knife. I’m using Langnickel K4
Rag
Jar of water
Non stick craft sheet
Palette
Paint colours of your choice
Method
I’ve included a written version of the instructions so those who need to can use the translate this site, to have the instruction in your chosen language.
Apply a generous layer of gesso to your mount board using the palette knife.
Using the flat face of the knife pat/dab into the gesso, this will leave a texture in the surface. Vary the pressure for different sizes of texture.
Continue until you have an effect you like and allow to dry.
For a coloured background add a light wash, then use a rag or sponge to apply colour just to the raised areas of the texture.
Options/Added Extras
For a coloured background texture, mix your colour into the gesso, bear in mind the colour will appear lighter as gesso is opaque.
Put a small amount of gesso in a separate container and add particles of sand or glass beads for a different more textured result.
Winsor & Newton Galeria Flow formula Acrylic paint: Winsor Violet
Daler Rowney; Shimmering Colours: Shimmering Gold
Cotton Rag
Jar of Water
Palette Knife
White Mount board
Plate to mix colours on
Method
Apply a layer of Winsor Violet to the mount board using the palette knife. Allow this layer to dry before you move on.
For a darker finish apply a second layer of Winsor Violet to the mount-board. If you apply the paint generously, you can also dab the flat of the knife into the paint to create additional texture. Allow this layer to dry fully before you move on.
Put some Gold Interference colour onto the plate. Pick up some of this colour using the rag. Dab off the excess paint on to a clean area of the paint. You only want a small amount on the cloth.
Swipe the rag over the board, just catching the top surface. The colour will catch on areas of texture and highlight them. While you get used to the technique, start on the sides of the board and work inwards, if you have too much paint on the cloth you will get a different effect! By starting at the edges of the board and working inwards, the excess paint will be worked off a little on the sides of the board.
Options/Added Extras
Vary how you apply the paint, for different effects. Use varying amounts of paint at each stage and experiment to discover an effect that you like. Try applying the Shimmering gold over other dark colours of card or paint to find more colour combinations you like.
In today’s post, as part of the Adventures in Acrylics workshop, I’ll be sharing a tutorial on how to create a wonderful dark wood paint effect. It looks something like rosewood, or perhaps mahogany, but whatever you want to call it, this gives a beautiful effect. Like the previous tutorial, this is super simple to create and waiting for the paint to dry between layers, is the most time-consuming part.
I’ll include a written description of the process, for those who don’t speak English, there’s always the trusty translator, check out the TRANSLATE THIS SITE link, in the side bar.
Put some Buff Titanium on the palette, than use the palette knife to apply a layer paint over the white surface of the mount board. Apply the paint generously, as if you were buttering bread Change direction with your knife and leave a few white areas here and there. Allow this layer to dry fully, before you move on.
Clean your knife in the water, while you wait for the paint to dry.
Next, put out some Burnt Sienna onto your palette, pick up some paint on the knife and apply the Burnt Sienna in patches, here and there over the Titanium Buff. Change direction when applying the paint to create textures. Leave some of the white areas and some areas of the buff titanium visible. Allow this layer to dry fully, before you move on.
Clean your knife in the water, while you wait for the paint to dry.
Put some Burnt Umber onto your palette, this is a semi transparent colour and will allow the other layers to be seen through it. Pick up a generous amount of Burnt Umber onto your knife. You only need a thin-film of the paint over the card, but the knife will move better over the card if it has a layer of paint across it. Apply a thin layer of the Burnt Umber over the whole piece and allow this to dry. Try not to go over this layer too many times as it tends to get sticky as its drying and if you want a smooth result you don’t want to over work it. Allow this layer to fully dry before you move on.
Clean your knife in the water, while you wait for the paint to dry.
If you feel your piece is looking too bright apply a second layer of the Burnt Umber over the card, either just in places or over the whole thing, depending on the look you are going for.
Dark Wood paint effect for Adventures in Acrylics
The earlier layers glow through the semi transparent Burnt Umber, and add lots of visual interest and texture to the piece. Like the weathered wood, you can make this more textured by using heavy bodied acrylic paint like Daler Rowney Cryla if you prefer or use mediums to change how your Galeria paint behaves. This original version is reasonably smooth so if you wanted to stamp or write over the surface you could do so. It would also take image transfers if you wanted to add some.
Options/Added Extras
In the coming weeks/months I’ll be introducing you to some acrylic mediums. As well as mixing the mediums to your paints, you can also use some of them as a glazing layer. If you already have some, you could paint over the finished piece with matt or gloss medium.
The matt medium will not change the appearance of the finished piece, but it will seal in and protect the layers of paint.
The gloss medium will dry to a high shine, and make the piece look as if it has been polished.
Experiment with what you have and see which you prefer. You don’t have to add the glaze layer, but it will help seal the paint in.
Links
Check out the Art tab at the top of the blog for details of suppliers where you can find a local stockist and also colour charts for the paints I’m using.
Hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and will give the technique a try, it is simple to do and by varying your colours or how you apply the paint, there are plenty of opportunities for further experiment with this idea. I’d love to see your results and how you incorporate this technique into your own projects. Do leave me comment with a link to what you create.
New projects have been added to the tabs across the top of the blog.
Check out the 'About' tab, listing of The Virtual Crafting Challenge themes and downloadable calendar pages are now on there too. Now you can access these all year long.
Have fun
Billie :)
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Change direction with your knife and leave a few white areas here and there. Allow this layer to dry fully, before you move on.
