How to Make DIY Textured Art (Create High End Artwork)

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How to Make DIY Textured Art (Create High End Artwork)

Learn how to make DIY Textured art, perfect for high end artwork or brightly colored texture for a fun art piece.

Textured art is trendy and expressive!

It's abstract to impressionistic, so not much fine art skill is required to make large scale wall art.

Adding interesting textures to wall art is an awesome way to make a statement, and it's fun to have it be your own DIY.

There are different effects you can achieve with DIY texture art and we'll go through them below in this post and a step-by-step guide.

DIY TEXTURE ART:

Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Model Paste Extender - 128 oz is the key to high end textured art.

Some people use drywall mud, joint compound, drywall compound, plaster of Paris or spackle; but when they dry they are not as flexible as Model Paste Extender, so they shrink, break or crack easily, especially where it's thick.

Use Model Paste Extender so it mixes with the paint, or remains a beautiful white, and dries semi-flexible and long lasting.

DIY TEXTURE ART: Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Model Paste Extender - 128 oz is the key to high end textured art. Some people use drywall mud, joint compound, drywall compound, plaster of Paris or spackle; but when they dry they are not as flexible as Model Paste Extender, so they shrink, break or crack easily, especially where it's thick. Use Model Paste Extender so it mixes with the paint, or remains a beautiful white, and dries semi-flexible and long lasting.

BEST SURFACE FOR TEXTURE ART:

What surface or blank should be used for textured art?

If you are creating a piece of art with much texture, it will get very heavy, so the surface you work on matters.

I use wood panels or scrap wood boards from the garage. (Some people add texture directly to their wall or kitchen drawers, but that's a little more permanent than I want.)

If you want to check the local thrift store for old art, check for wood panels, not just a canvas art piece.

Thrift stores typically have all their art in one section, so it's easy to find the right kind of wood panel.

If you don't intend on covering the entire canvas, you can give it a try, but if the canvas gets too saturated and heavy the whole canvas will begin to sag in the center.

Find a wood board with a flat surface, something like MDF from Home Depot would work too.

Paint the entire piece with a dry brush in a solid color paint layer, like black or white paint, or use some old house paint and cover the whole thing.

Then let the first layer dry completely, wash out the brush by wiping it on a paper towel repeatedly, until it's nearly clean, then wash with a little water.

BEST SURFACE FOR TEXTURE ART: What surface or blank should be used for textured art? If you are creating a piece of art with much texture, it will get very heavy, so the surface you work on matters. I use wood panels or scrap wood boards from the garage. (Some people add texture directly to their wall or kitchen drawers, but that's a little more permanent than I want.) If you want to check the local thrift store for old art, check for wood panels, not just a canvas art piece. Thrift stores typically have all their art in one section, so it's easy to find the right kind of wood panel. If you don't intend on covering the entire canvas, you can give it a try, but if the canvas gets too saturated and heavy the whole canvas will begin to sag in the center. Find a wood board with a flat surface, something like MDF from Home Depot would work too. Paint the entire piece with a dry brush in a solid color paint layer, like black or white paint, or use some old house paint and cover the whole thing. Then let the first layer dry completely, wash out the brush by wiping it on a paper towel repeatedly, until it's nearly clean, then wash with a little water.

Supplies Needed for Textured Art:

Heavy Body Paint, this is rich and full of pigment, and keeps it's bright color when dry.

It also blends flawlessly with Model Paste Extender and so the paint lasts a long time!

Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Paint - Quinacridone Red, Pint
Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Paint - Turquoise, Pint
Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Paint - Phthalo Green (Blue Shade), Pint
Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Paint - Quinacridone Violet, Pint
Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Paint - Phthalo Blue (Green Shade), Pint
Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Paint - Hansa Yellow Light, Pint
Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Model Paste Extender - 128 oz
Palette Knife Set
Comb Scraper Set
Putty Knife
Wax Paper or Palette Paper
Wood Cradled Panels (12x12, 11x14, 8x10, 8x8, 6x6 and 4x4)
Plastic Containers (from dollar store)

Supplies Needed for Textured Art: Heavy Body Paint, this is rich and full of pigment, and keeps it's bright color when dry. It also blends flawlessly with Model Paste Extender and so the paint lasts a long time! Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Paint - Quinacridone Red, Pint Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Paint - Turquoise, Pint Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Paint - Phthalo Green (Blue Shade), Pint Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Paint - Quinacridone Violet, Pint Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Paint - Phthalo Blue (Green Shade), Pint Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Paint - Hansa Yellow Light, Pint Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Model Paste Extender - 128 oz Palette Knife Set Comb Scraper Set Putty Knife Wax Paper or Palette Paper Wood Cradled Panels (12x12, 11x14, 8x10, 8x8, 6x6 and 4x4) Plastic Containers (from dollar store)

Step 1: Coloring Texture Paste

First step is to decide on color for your textured art.

If you are just going to keep it white or a neutral colour, then skip this part about mixing up colored paint.

Start with the storage containers and get them all opened, I am using 16, so I will mix up 16 different paint colors.

Step 1: Coloring Texture Paste First step is to decide on color for your textured art. If you are just going to keep it white or a neutral colour, then skip this part about mixing up colored paint. Start with the storage containers and get them all opened, I am using 16, so I will mix up 16 different paint colors.

Use a putty knife to scoop a little bit of the model paste extender into each of the containers, I didn't measure it out, but about a cup in each container.

Then add a little bit of the heavy body acrylic paint in the containers, they don't need much paint, just a tablespoon or 2 of paint.

As the color mixes with the texture paste, it will tint (or lighten) it a little bit, but not much because these paints are heavy body, which means they have a lot of pigment.

Mix a little bit of pink and blue to make the purple shades.

Mix a little of the blue and yellow to make the green shades.

Mix a little of the yellow and pink to make the orange shades.

Then add a little bit of the heavy body acrylic paint in the containers, they don't need much paint, just a tablespoon or 2 of paint. As the color mixes with the texture paste, it will tint (or lighten) it a little bit, but not much because these paints are heavy body, which means they have a lot of pigment. Mix a little bit of pink and blue to make the purple shades. Mix a little of the blue and yellow to make the green shades. Mix a little of the yellow and pink to make the orange shades.

You don't need a whole range of colors, but it's super fun to do all the different textures and colors, creating vivid and bright three-dimensional textures.

It's so much fun!

Once the colors are mixed up, they can be stored in the air tight container for a long time.

I had some leftover paint from texture pieces I did a few years ago and last week they were still useable paint.

They will definitely last longer than cheap paints, weeks, months and a year, just mix up again with palette knives before painting.

Once the colors are mixed up, they can be stored in the air tight container for a long time. I had some leftover paint from texture pieces I did a few years ago and last week they were still useable paint. They will definitely last longer than cheap paints, weeks, months and a year, just mix up again with palette knives before painting.

Step 2: Palette Knife Painting

Scoop out some of the mixed color paint with a palette knife.

Place it on the palette pad or wax paper and stir it around to make sure it's all mixed.

Then lift some of the paint onto the bottom side of the palette knife and press it onto the painted wood panel canvas.

I am doing a flower grouping on this black panel, you can just mix paint and get creative with lines, shapes and designs.

Repeat the painting and creating process with different putty knives to create different textures and shapes.

The best part is that the textured look is easy to achieve and there's no wrong way to do it!

You can add the details to the sides of the canvas or just leave them blank.

I love how these flowers look on this black paint, it's so bold!

Once you finish the final step, set the finished product aside so it can dry completely, about 24-48 hours.

Wait 2 weeks if you are going to seal it with clear sealant (I don't do a sealer because the paint dries so perfectly).

I love how these flowers look on this black paint, it's so bold! Once you finish the final step, set the finished product aside so it can dry completely, about 24-48 hours. Wait 2 weeks if you are going to seal it with clear sealant (I don't do a sealer because the paint dries so perfectly).

HOW TO MAKE A THICK COLORFUL TEXTURED RAINBOW:

Make smaller pieces with your own spin on layers and colors.

I did these 4x10 inch scraps in a rainbow pattern, use putty knives to layer the thick paint on the wood, overlapping it just slightly to give that thick built up look.

HOW TO MAKE TEXTURE ART PROJECT:

Experiment with adding a thick painted background around the flowers you create.

This painting is fun and thick, the whole piece is covered with thick paint and fun texture.

It's on a 2x6, so it's a deep canvas and sits on shelf without support, great for home decor without a high price tag.

HOW TO MAKE TEXTURE ART PROJECT: Experiment with adding a thick painted background around the flowers you create. This painting is fun and thick, the whole piece is covered with thick paint and fun texture. It's on a 2x6, so it's a deep canvas and sits on shelf without support, great for home decor without a high price tag.

Make a few pieces or a whole piece collection to stage together...or give as a gift to a friend!

If you are going for a more natural or wallpaper look, fill your new canvas with white model paste extender and use the comb scrapers to create arches, wavy lines and a modern art project look.

The model paste extender does not shrink or fade, in fact, the color becomes a bit more vivid as it dries.

It remains exactly as placed, no slumping or shrinking.

If you are going for a more natural or wallpaper look, fill your new canvas with white model paste extender and use the comb scrapers to create arches, wavy lines and a modern art project look. The model paste extender does not shrink or fade, in fact, the color becomes a bit more vivid as it dries. It remains exactly as placed, no slumping or shrinking.

Final Step for Art Canvas:

The last step is just adding the finishing touch details that make you happy.

If you do a completely neutral piece, you may want to add a metallic accent or two to the finished piece to take it next level.

You might want to spray paint the finish to look ombre instead of coloring the paste.

There's so many fun ways to create this type of art with a few art supplies!

Happy Creating!

Final Step for Art Canvas: The last step is just adding the finishing touch details that make you happy. If you do a completely neutral piece, you may want to add a metallic accent or two to the finished piece to take it next level. You might want to spray paint the finish to look ombre instead of coloring the paste. There's so many fun ways to create this type of art with a few art supplies! Happy Creating!

This textured art is such a fun part of creating, it's a simple way to bring a DIY element into your space.

Put your finished art in a floating frame or just let it sit on a shelf.

That's it!

Making DIY textured art is so much fun, and a great way to add high end artwork into your home.

Make your textured art bright and vivid for a cheery statement or keep it neutral for a modern look.

It's a fun and simple way to add texture in art.

Like, Pin and Save!

Making DIY textured art is so much fun, and a great way to add high end artwork into your home. Make your textured art bright and vivid for a cheery statement or keep it neutral for a modern look. It's a fun and simple way to add texture in art.

Here's other fun Painting Tutorials!

How to Make a Palette Knife Floral Cake!

Learn how beautiful and simple it is to make a palette knife floral cake. This technique is something you can do with thick acrylic paint on canvas too.

This art project is fun because the canvas is a beautiful and edible cake and the paint is creamy delicious buttercream frosting!

Here's how to make Buttercream frosting: 3 Cups of Butter (real butter--and yes, 3 cups...this is why it's so good) 2 pounds of powdered sugar 1/4 Cup of milk (or cream if you are feeling really decadent) Dump the butter in a mixer and blend until smooth. Then add half the powdered sugar and mix. Mix slowly so the sugar doesn't poof all over. Then add the rest of the powdered sugar and drip a little of the milk in at a time. Use the milk to bring it to the right consistency, rather than just pouring it in all at once. You might need less. It should be smooth and soft, but hold its shape. If you are squeezing it through a piping bag, it needs to be soft enough to squeeze through without dripping out, or blowing out the bag.

How to do Loose Acrylic Painting (Beginner Tutorial)

Loose acrylic painting is fast, quick drying paint in layers, creating depth and contrast in colors.

Back during the last week of September 2024, I picked up a new favorite hobby of loose acrylic painting!

I'm going to walk you through the basic steps of loose acrylic painting as a reference or guide, but as always, if you are excited about loose acrylic painting, sign up for a class or a course.