Creating texture to your art projects is a fun way to add interest. So many texturing options work well with the distressed look.

I like using Golden brand modeling pastes. But there are other similar products out there. Spackle and even thick gessos can create many of the same effects.




I glopped some heavy modeling paste on the left hand side of this journal cover with a painting spatula. I feathered the edges to give a smooth transition line and then ran a tracing wheel through the center to simulate rips and tears.

I allowed this to dry before I added layer of acrylic paints for color. I used some Perfect Pigments to intensify the colors. I usually paint with my fingers. You can build up some interesting textures by tapping the paint with your fingertips as it is drying.

The embellishment was made with a cardboard domino- from the Thrift Store. I used some liquid applique, brayered on, and hit with a heat gun. I used some very thick foiling glue to draw the swirl pattern and dots and foiled it with Fashion Flakes. Then the whole thing was painted with acrylic paints, again using my fingers. The molded faces were also foiled with Fashion flakes and over painted. I attached them with Glossy Accents.

On the smaller journal, I used some large mica flake gel medium by Golden to add some subtle texture to the cover.






The journal cover on the right was first collaged, then covered with beeswax and crayons. I added some gold PearlX powder and texturized it with the edge of my iron and also used a metal spatula in conjunction with a heat gun.


There are so many options for adding texture. I hardly know where to begin. I'll try to cover some examples using things most people have in their studios. Like glue.




This technique is a lot of fun.

I used black glossy cardstock for this one. Any cardstock or heavy paper will do. Works on canvas or other surfaces too.

Glob some glue on the paper and mix in some PearlX powders. Other powdered pigments or mica powders work just fine. Smoosh the powdered pigments around to mix into the glue.

Hit it with your heat gun. That's it. It will bubble up and distort and create some very nifty texturers.

Every day school glue (like Elmers) works great for this.

How about aluminum foil? You probably have some in your kitchen. You need some in your studio. I like to use the thin inexpensive type- the heavy duty foil doesn't work as well for these techniques. Any brand works. You can even recycle used foil.




Each of these pieces started with a piece of bookboard, a heavy cardboard.

For the piece on the left, the aluminum foil was crinkled up and smoothed out again and then glued to the board. I used various tools; palette knife, ball stylus, bone folder, to draw random designs into the foil. I used alcohol inks, blender fluid and Krylon pens to add some color- and then applied a coat of thinned down black acrylic paint and wiped over it lightly to antique the surface and bring out more of the texture.

For the one on the right, I first glued some small circular game pieces to the left hand side of the cardboard. I then applied glue to the board and smoothed the aluminum foil over the whole piece. I used a ball stylus to create textured circles and swirls in the aluminum foil.
I applied some thick foiling glue (I think it was Aileene's) drawing swirls and circles with the tip of the bottle. I let it get tacky and then applied some Fashion Flakes.
I used some alcohol inks for a base coat of color, and then started adding some acrylic paints (probably Lumieres) I use the Lumiere metallics a lot- it might have some Golden brand bronze in there too....
While the paint was still wet I smooshed in some mica powders and hit it with a heat gun. Lots of bubbling and distortions. Very similar to the glue and mica powder effect.
A good scrubbing with a paper towel removed areas of the paint in places where it hadn't dried thoroughly. Much like the peeled paint technique, but without the petroleum jelly.

You can texturize metal surfaces too. You can always just hammer on them and scratch them up and physically distress them. :) But there are less destructive ways to give them a textured appearance.




Embossing powders can add a lot of texture on their own. You can also stamp into it or add inclusions for even more texture.

The metal washer on the right got new life as a pendant with the addition of some Opals embossing enamels with a stamp pressed in for texture. A piece of colored glass and a leaf shaped bail finished it off.

There are wonderful texture stamps and also texture mats from Krafty Lady- but look to any of the stamps in your collection for textures. That piece was done with part of a koi stamp. ;)



Embossing powders can also give a textured metal like surface to other materials.

This is cardboard coated with Opals embossing enamels topped with PearlX powders and stamped into while warm. Lovely distressed finish.





I used some alcohol inks to highlight the arms and face on the goddess image after it was embossed.

Both of these started out as glossy cardboard clothing tags. I love recycling.