TriArt Crackle Ground
TriArt Crackle Ground
A medium to make cracked surfaces for acrylic painting applications.
Just pour and spread to achieve hairline or thick cracks. Crackle Ground is easy to apply and manipulate. Its thin consistency makes it flow on the surface by tilting or by spreading with a palette knife. The direction and firmness of spreading the medium will effect the pattern of the cracked formations. (brushes not recommended)
Appropriate surfaces: Primed surfaces for acrylic applications with a slight tooth or matte finish will result in the best adhesion. Suitable for application onto painted areas within an artwork.
Thickness of application: Thin applications will result in finer lines. Thicker applications will develop wider cracks. Rigid surfaces are recommended for thicker applications to avoid sagging. Due to the thin consistency and need to be spread with a palette knife, surfaces should to be flat and level. If applying to concave or convex shape, dipping is recommended.
Drying time: Thin applications will be cracked and touch dry in 3-4 hours. Thicker applications 12-24 hours recommended depending on humidity and climatic conditions.
Mixing with colours: May be tinted 5-10% with colour prior to applying. The percentage depends on the colour's acrylic and ingredient content. The higher the quantity the more diminished the crackle effects. (Artist and Professional grade paints will be formulated with more acrylic) SEE IMAGES BELOW
Finishing: If applied very thick, areas may required extra support with a protective finishing medium such as Tri-Art's Final Finish or Polymer Medium. Thinner applications will not require additional adhesion support.
Crackle Medium dries white with a slight tooth making additional layers easy to apply and adhere to its surface. Adding colour may alter the finished sheen.
Surfaces may be enhanced once dry with paint or other media and techniques such as glazing, washes, dry brush, marker, pastel, graphite etc.
Always test your methods and materials prior to applying to a final piece of artwork to ensure desired effects.