10 Things You Can Add to Texture

This month I have had my studio open as part of the local open studios event and during that time I have been doing some demonstrations on some textured canvases.

As part of these demonstrations I have been including some additional elements to the texture to demonstrate different techniques.

So as well as just using texture on its own, you can also add things to the texture to make different patterns on the canvas or board  and I thought I would share some of my ideas here.

So here are 10 things that you can add to your texture mix to give you some different effects:

1.String –  I generally use the cotton type string rather than nylon as it soaks into the texture and you can seal it with PVA really easily.  It’s very versatile so you can either coil it round or just use straight strips – in fact you can make whatever patterns you like by sticking it into the texture  or even just sticking it on the painting with PVA.

2. Sand –  sand is really good to create a more grainy texture although it might be difficult to get hold of if you don’t live somewhere near the sea!  Luckily I’m about 10 miles from the sea so I can grab a small bag whenever I need it.  You can either mix some into the texture before applying it or sprinkle it on top of the texture.

3. Sawdust –  this is another really great one to provide some additional bulk to your texture.  Maybe you know someone who is having work done on their house and can save some for you.

4. Rice –  you can use on cooked rice in your texture. Just make sure it is fully coated with either PVA or a coat of paint  once you have put it on the canvas.  As long as it is sealed it will last a long time.  You can either mix it in with the texture or add it afterwards.

5. Chick peas –  just like rice, use them uncooked and seal them up and they will provide some good interest in the painting.

6. Pasta – you  can also use quite big pieces of pasta  but obviously the bigger they are the more delicate the painting will be and subject to breakage.  Stick the pasta on with the texture and once again seal the pasta when it is on the painting.  Myself and another artist created a triptych painting using pasta for a hotel restaurant:

7. Corrugated card –  stick the card down onto the texture which should be quite flat and then make sure that all of the edges are stuck down using PVA.

8. Tissue –  rip up strips of single thickness tissue and place these on top of the texture  while it is still wet.  Pat it down to make sure it is absorbed into the texture.  It is quite a good wrinkled effect when it is dry.

9. Crushed shells –  you can often buy pots of these in craft shops and they work well added to the texture in a similar manner to sand or sawdust.

10. Tile spacers –  there are lots of things that you can get from a DIY store that you can use in your texture and tile spacers is just one suggestion.  I’ve been meaning to try this for ages! But one thing I have used is some nails in a painting that I did a while ago  so really anything goes 🙂

I’m sure there are a lot more things that you can add to your texture so feel free if you want to share any ideas that you have or things that you have used in the past.