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Presented by the Dripping Springs Art League
Adding texture to acrylic paintings creates interest and helps your artistic vision bloom in new and exciting ways. And let’s face it – it is simply fun to explore new ways of doing things! Try one of the texture techniques below to spark your imagination. Pictured are my boards of different techniques, some of which are described below.
Textured Acrylic Paint
1. Impasto technique: Apply thick layers of medium to heavy body paint directly from the tube using a palette knife or heavy brush to create raised areas. Ex: Van Gogh, “Wheat field with Cypresses”.
2. Modeling paste: Mix modeling paste with your paint or apply it directly to the canvas for 3D effect. Ex: Klara Gunnlaugdottier, “New Earth”.
3. Gel medium: Blend gel medium with acrylic paint to change the paint’s flow, gloss or texture. Ex: Josie Lewis, “The Journey”.
4. Dry brushing: Use a nearly dry brush to lightly skim paint onto the canvas for a subtle, wispy effect. Ex: Andrew Wyeth, “Christina’s World”.
5. Sand or salt: Sprinkle sand or salt onto wet paint for a gritty texture. After drying, paint again to seal texture into the paint. Ex: Marina Dunbar, “Light Without Shadow”.
6. Heavy bodied acrylic paint: Use acrylic paints labeled as “heavy body” to create visible brushstrokes. Ex: Katia Zhukova, “Frances Portrait Series 5”.
7. Layering: Build up layers of paint with different textures to add depth and complexity. Ex: Melissa McKinnon, “Golden Grove”.
8. Crackle paste: Crackle paste is applied in a thin layer over a painted area creating a weathered look as the paste dries. Ex: Melissa McKinnon, “Treasure Hunting III” 9. Baking Soda: Mix paint with baking soda and a small amount of PVA glue or gel medium to create a thick chalky paint.
10. Water down acrylic: Create a “wash” or watercolor effect by adding water, clear gel medium or airbrush thinner to acrylic paint. If using water, follow manufacturer’s guidance for paint/water ratios. Ex: Heyshiro Matsuoka, “Ready or Not”.
11. Spray bottle: Mist the wet acrylic paint on the canvas to create a dribbled texture effect. Experiment with fine versus heavy mists. Alternatively try spraying paint on a canvas. Ex: Helen Frankenthaler, “Canal”.
Brush and Canvas Techniques
12. Brush selection: Round, flat, fan or filbert – brush shapes and sizes can vary the paint texture within a painting. This variance can emphasis shape and shadow. It can also create interest, life the flick of a fan brush.
13. Palette knife painting: Use the knife either flat or on edge to make broad or thin paint strokes. Ex: Karen Tarlton, “Wild Mustang Horses”.
14. Sgraffito: Scratching through layers of wet paint reveals the colors beneath creating depth and intrigue. Ex. Lawrence Chandler, “Sgraffito Painting”.
15. Paint shapers, texture tools: Shapers and texture tools move paint in more bold ways for interesting effects. They are sold in craft stores, but you can make your own, unique shapers and texture tools from plastic cards or lids notched with scissors, combs, cake decorating tools and silicon kitchen tools. Ex: Andy Braitman, “Water’s Edge”.
16. Collage elements: Before starting your painting apply torn paper or fabric to the canvas using gel medium. Ex. Karen Krumm: “I’m Your Huckleberry”.
17. Mixed Media: Consider making an assemblage mounted on board which is then painted. Layering “stuff ” (lace, buttons, keys, string, paintable caulk, wood blocks, etc.) seems chaotic until it is unified with paint layer on top. Ex: Louise Nevelson, “Cascade VII”.
18. Textured canvas: Buy a pre-textured canvas as a base for your painting. It’s a quick way to dip your toe into the world of texture. Ex: Sofia Gordon’s textured canvases sold on Art.com This list originated during one of our Dripping Springs Art League’s Acrylic Club meetings. If you would like to learn more about acrylic paint or other artistic outlets I encourage you to go to www.artindripping. com/membership/ and join a club that fits your interests.
ABOVEWORK BY CYNTHIA KAHN
