If you want to give your paintings a little bit of structure or creating a 3D effect the modeling (or texture) paste is the medium that can help you to do it.
The only problem is, that no modeling paste is equal to another modeling paste: each of them has unique characteristics and you could be find yourself in trouble when deciding which one is the best for your needs according to the project you have in mind.
In this post I will try to make a little bit of clearence and give you some ideas to create a customized modeling paste.
What is modeling paste?
Modeling Paste (also texture paste) is a medium made of gel and marble dust, and used to give a structure or a 3D effect to paintings.
Artist can choose among different consistencies (light, medium, heavy) and different finishes (matte, gloss), according to their specific needs.
It can be used alone or combined to other products and is usually applied using a palette knife directly on the canvas.
How many types of modeling paste exist?
In commerce there are several types of modeling paste, each suited for different creative needs and effects. Here is a little overview:
Light Modeling Paste
It has a lightweight, airy consistency, which makes it ideal to create delicate textures ( by sanding or carving) . It can be used on lightweight surfaces like paper and canvas and dries to a matte finish.
Regular Modeling Paste
It has a Medium-thick consistency, which makes it ideal to create moderate textures ( by sanding or carving) . It can be used on different surfaces such as paper, wood and canvas and dries to a a slightly textured, opaque finish.
Heavy Modeling Paste
It has a thick and dense consistency, which makes it possible to build up layer without cracking and create the so-called "heavy impasto" effect. It can be used on lightweight surfaces like paper and canvas and dries to a textured and matt finish.
Flexible Modeling Paste
It has a medium to thick consistency but remains flexible after drying with a matt finish. This feature makes it suitable for artworks that have to be bend.
Crackle Paste
It has a thick consistency and its main feature is the fact that it dries cracked, with an antique effect, which be overpainted.
Fiber Paste
It has a thick and fibrous consistency, which add additional rough texture and strength to the painting.
Ideas to create customized effect modeling paste
Over the last few months I wanted to find a way to create customized effect modeling paste.
I experimented with two different types of modeling paste: the modeling paste by Sennelier and the modeling paste by Pebeo. The former is a little bit matt and dries yellowish; the latter has a more glossy appearence and dries white.
Modeling Paste mixed with metallic acrylic paint and DYNA acrylic paint
Both colours when mixed to the pastes tend to become matt. In order to counterbalance the effect the mixing ratio should me 1 part paste and 2 or more parts of paint.
Modeling Paste mixed with MICA based pigment powders (normal an chameleon powder)
When mixed alone to modeling paste the pigment powders loses its shimmering. For this reason you should mixed it with acrylic gloss gel at first and, once you get an homogen compound, you should add it to the paste. Also in this case the ratio should be one part paste and at least 2 part of the compound (the bigger the quantity of it, the more the final paste will result shimmering).
Modeling Paste mixed with pearlescent acrylic paint
In order to get a pearlescent modeling paste, the pearl acrylic paint should be previously mixed to a very small amount of black. Otherwise the colour will be lost.
Modeling Paste mixed with phosphorescent gel (glow-in-the-dark)
When mixed to the phosphorescent gel you can get a phosphorecent modeling paste. In this case the ratio should be at least one part paste to at least 3 parts phosphorescent gel.
Modeling Paste mixed with glitter paint or glitter particles
Ready-to-use glitter paints work very well mixed to the white modeling paste by Pebeo. When dried you can see some glittering in the final result. The craft glitter particles, on the contrary, seem to lose their shimmer.
Final thoughts
Modeling paste is a very versatile medium that can help us to give our painting a particular vibe and structure.
I preferred to use the white glossy paste by Pebeo, because it tends to remain more neutral when combined to other supplies.
I hope I could inspire you for your next project.
Thank you for reading. If you like the post, feel free to leave a like, a comment and don’t forget to follow my blog, my Instagram and share the content on your social media.
Have a creative and colourful day.
Laura
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