Artspace 05 Lesson 1, artspace05.c0m

1. The first step in creating crackle texture with gesso is to lay thick Gesso onto a portion of the canvas. It is easier to work with a portion of the canvas at a time if the canvas is large. A palette knife or spatula works well to lay the gesso.

*Use the thick Gesso for this & put on a fairly thick layer of it.

7. To paint over the Gesso, I thin acrylic paint with medium and apply thin glazes of color. As each glaze dries, I add more layers building up the colors on the canvas. Using the colors as they come out of the tubes, the color mixing happens on the canvas by layering colors on top of colors. This gives a vibrancy and depth to the painting only achieved through this method of painting in the style of the old masters

A Circle is Cast

Mixed Media

2. VERY IMPORTANT, while the Gesso is still wet, dampen it with water sprayed on in a fine mist. A plant mister works well.

3. Next, use a blow dryer directing the heat at the wet gesso. This requires patience, but as the Gesso dries, random cracks form.

4. Continue blow drying until the Gesso is completely dry.

8. As you apply the glazes you will notice the pigment settles into the cracks in places. This effect can be further enhanced by putting on a layer of color; then gently wiping off the paint with a soft rag. This only removes the color from the raised surfaces and leaves color in the cracks.

9. Other effects can be created by using a palette knife and pushing the Gesso around after the cracks begin to form but before the Gesso is completely dry.

Winter Solstice

Acrylic

5. Move on to another section of the canvas and repeat steps 1 through 4. Continue in this way until complete.

6. Gesso crackle can be applied to as much or as little of the canvas as desired for different effects.

* Don't be afraid to experiment with this technique and see what effects you can create....

.............And

always enjoy the creative process!

The Eyes of Heaven
Mixed Media