How to Add Texture or Impasto Effect to a Painting

You want to add some texture to your paintings? Bring in some depth and relief? There are several ways you can do it!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Acrylic texture medium
• Gesso
• Gel-texture extenders for Acrylics or Gel Oil-Based mediums for oils.
• A palette knife

1. You can add texture before starting a painting by using a thick, gel-type gesso. Simply prime the canvas with this medium in a somewhat diluted form first - to ensure it is adequately primed.

2. Once the canvas is evenly primed, use the gesso in its thick form. With the palette knife, scoop some of the gesso onto the canvas and 'whip' it into shapes or forms you like. Be sure not to make it too thick, or it will not dry properly.

3. If you want to add texture while painting, then start with a normal gesso coat without texture.

4. 
    
   Typical Gel Medium for water based paints

   With acrylics, use an 'impasto' or texture medium. Simply mix it into the colors you like and apply it to the canvas with a knife and whip it into the shapes or textures you like. These mediums may be referred to as 'modeling pastes.'

5. 
    
   Weber "Res-N-Gel"

   If you are using oils, it is important to use a Resin based medium. Liquin may allow for some moderate texturing, but for firmer, more manageable texture you will need a resin based medium like Res-n-gel by Weber. This resin medium is a lot of fun to use as it extends your expensive oil paints (makes them go further) and allows all kinds of texturing and modeling. Some varieties of this product include drying agents to make your oils dry faster.

Resources

• Dick Blick, online art supply store