I’ve used gesso to create texture before – just scraping it across the canvas, putting it on thick and dragging combs through it, that kind of thing. Very abstract, it’s a lot of fun.

You really can’t get a lot of deep texture with gesso, though; it won’t raise it much, and putting the stuff on too thick doesn’t seem to be the greatest idea.

Try modeling paste. I’ve never used it, but I’ve heard about it and the effects it gives. I’m pretty sure it can get some depth, just use it on masonite or something like that rather than stretched canvas or paper – something rigid.

You can buy textured gel with blended fibers in it by Liquitex. I use it.

Julia

Marble dust is good mixed with Gesso or you can use fine sand and throw that at the wet Gesso. Tissues can be layed on wet gesso as well…this can get some really good effects.

Gina

Why couldn’t you use ‘other’ materials to add texture? Like for instance … dirt …. glue …. salt …. sugar .. etc. ???

Ya think?

Dee

Hi gang, I’ve hesitated about getting involved here because I wasn’t that sure at first you were talking about the physical height of strokes/passages. Silly me.

Twenty years ago when I was doing the desert shows I did use a method of doing just that. I came up with the method and formule on my own. Not that I’m some big hero or something but I wasn’t aware of it being done although I’m positive it was. The reason I say that is, what I’m giving you may not be the best but it worked very well for me.

I mixed Liquitex Gel Medium with the Liquitex Modeling Paste. As I remember about 50/50 but there was a bias in one direction. Maybe 60/40 or vice versa. Too much paste, then cracking can occur especially on canvas which I used. Too much gel then more slumping.

I penciled the dwg on the canvas and knifed the mixture on. I made mostly florals as it seemed so appropriate for them. The big goopy petals etc. I used the same mixture on the backgrounds. Loading a big flat knife and holding its plane parallel to the support I just let it skip over the surface leaving interesting abstract shapes. When dry enough I painted on the colors. That was 24 hrs in a dry climate.

I went to the studio and found I still have one piece. Let me know if you’ld like to see it.

Julia, If you have a piece don e with fibers I would like to see it or a section thereof that would show the effect achieved. I’ve used the gel sand by Liguitex and can share a painting done with it if any one is interested.

Howard

I think if you put any of the textures mentioned on too thick on a large canvas that you are asking for sagging. So the solution would be art board of somekind or small canvases.:)

Here is the largest painting I’ve ever done, and it has acrylic gel mixed with construction sand applied to the surface. It’s built up at the top very thick to give a three dimensional effect to the chunk missing from the cave wall (yellow area). There are lots of globs where I flung the cement-like mixture at the canvas. The size is 36″ x 24″. I have a wire for hanging attached to the side stretcher bars at the back so the weight is not affecting the top one. The canvas is very tight and has not sagged after almost a year.