How to Paint Using the Texture Effect

There are many items right in your household you can use to create texture in painting. Quiet your inner critique and have some fun while exploring this limitless painting adventure.

Things You'll Need

• Paints
• Brushes
• Paper of differing weights (tissue to cardboard)
• Wax paper
• Saran wrap
• Aluminum foil
• Strings and/or yarn
• Sponges (household and sea)
• Lace or other course fabrics
• Razor blades
• Sandpaper
• Found objects
• Heavy paper or primed Masonite (depending on the type of paint you are using)

Instructions

Exploring Texture with Paints

1. Paint on heavyweight watercolor paper or another stiff surface. Masonite (primed) is good for painting with acrylic and oil paints.

   For watercolors, spritz both sides of the paper slightly with water before beginning to paint.

2. Apply paint liberally. Use plenty of paint to achieve new textural effects. This is not the time to be skimpy with the paints.

3. Crumble, stretch, and tear papers or wraps and press onto paint. Twist your wrist to achieve new textures or for repeated design possibilities.

4. Embed any other found objects into the wet surface. Move them around the surface if you want to expand the textural prospects.

5. Notice the effects. Allow some drying to occur before removing the embedded objects, especially with watercolors.

6. Evaluate the results and continue experimenting.

7. Combine techniques discovered from the textural objects you have gathered. Use razor blades or sandpaper to lightly scratch the dried paint surface for a different effect.

Tips & Warnings

• Take note of what paints you already have handy. Experiment with these and then branch out into new mediums as your skills and confidence grow. If just beginning, start with watercolors. Use salt and alcohol to create special effects with watercolors.

• Care for brushes directly after use to keep dried paint from ruining them.

References

• Wet Canvas