Crackle Painting Made Easy

Crackle painting is one of the easiest ways to paint your unfinished wood or other craft projects. It is simple and almost fool proof. (I have been doing it for years, and if I didn't muck it up, then I doubt anyone can.) Crackle painting is a way of making your art look weathered. For example, I took a simple unfinished bird house and painted it blue and yellow. To give it that old, weathered look, I applied some Crackle and when it dried, voila! A perfect 'old' project. Yes, it is as simple as it sounds.

The main supplies you will need are:

• A project. (Unfinished wood, terracotta pots, or anything else you can paint with acrylic paints.)

• Your favorite colors of acrylic paints. (Two is good for a contrast. I will explain later.)

• A 2 oz bottle of Crackle Medium. http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat2975&PRODID=prd10144

• Sponge brushes. (The head size depends on the craft you are painting.)

• A bristle brush for applying the Crackle.

• Spray on varnish.
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat2798&PRODID=prd11205

• Paper plates as a palette.

Okay, now that you have your supplies, let's start the project. For my example, I will do the birdhouse mentioned above.

Pick two main colors of acrylic paints. I prefer Folk Art brand because it does not clump and dries smooth. I picked yellow and blue. Now, pick two different shades of your colors.

1. I put the darker yellow on first, and the same for the blue. Let dry.

2. Now, take the lighter of the two and put a simple thin coat on the darker one, for each color and let dry.

3. Take out your Crackle and pour it on your palette. Use your bristle brush and gently, make even brush strokes across your project. Do not go over it twice, as this will hamper the effect. When the Crackle dries, you will see your darker color emerge through the flecks of lighter. It is a beautiful project.

See below on tips to make this project even better.

• You will want to pick two contrasting colors. If they are too similar, then the effect won't be as visible.

• Of the contrasting colors, you will want to pick two contrasting shades, again, so it will have a nice effect.

• Make sure that the darker base coat is evenly applied and solid. A sponge brush is best for that because it will not leave loose bristles or clumps.

• Make sure all coats of paint dry completely before applying another one. This will ensure the project does not have clumps.

• When applying the lighter shade, make sure it is one coat and not too thick. This is the coat that will crackle as it dries and if it is too thick, it will not crackle at all.

• Get a bristle brush that does not leave stray hairs. You do not want to try to pick out stray hairs or have a project that looks like your cat played with it while wet!

• Use the Crackle carefully. Do not let it 'pool' anywhere because you will have uneven drying, and that will result in bumps and no crackle effect.

• The thicker the single coat of Crackle, the longer it takes to dry, but the more effect you get. Do not apply more than one coat! It will ruin the project. You will not get more effect with a second coat.

• Let the project dry over night.

• When completely dry, use a spray on varnish. Do not use a brush on varnish! This will damage the fragile Crackle effect and brush it away. (The very thing you were trying to do will be ruined.)

There you go! You now have the keys to a perfect Crackle project. I have done wooden picture frames and birdhouses, and a few other projects, too. It is a fabulous way to accent unfinished wood. Let me know how it works for you!

If you would like to try Crackle without going through the fuss of selecting colors, they also sell an all-in-one product. I have not tried it, but the reviews look great! It is called Tim Holtz® Distress Crackle Paint. It even comes with its own brush!
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=pc1443

Sources:

Personal Experience