Texture medium (or gel or paste) is, as the name suggests, a material that you mix with paint to change its consistency—particularly to add surface texture to a painting. It's stiffer than paint straight from the tube, so it will hold a form or shape more readily. It's also cheaper than paint, so adding a texture medium is an economical way to build up thick layers of impasto. You can mix it with color or apply a layer of the gel first and paint over it.
A tub of texture gel has the consistency of cooking lard. When you scoop out a lump with a palette knife, the medium holds its shape. It doesn't drip or droop but stays put. You can create peaks and grooves with a palette knife, brush marks with a coarse-haired brush, press patterns into it, or use it as glue to add collage items. It's extremely versatile.
Texture mediums come in white and clear, so if you have a preference, pay attention to the label.
By the way, the word “medium” can also mean the type of paint—for instance, acrylic or watercolor. (You can usually tell from the context what is meant.)
Properties of Acrylic Texture Medium
Different brands of acrylic texture medium are formulated differently and variously labeled as pastes, gels, or mediums. They all add texture, but some will be glossy when dry and others matte; some will dry completely transparent, while others remain slightly opaque or white. The medium may also act as a drying retarder, giving you more time to work with it.
To understand how yours behaves, read the label on the container. If it lacks details, check for a manufacturer’s information sheet or test it before using it on a canvas. Don’t worry if a new tub behaves differently—variation between brands is normal.
Whether it's glossy or matte isn't critical since you can change the finish later with varnish. Simply apply a matte or gloss varnish to achieve the desired effect.
The opacity of the medium is important if you're mixing it with color, as it will influence how the color looks when dry. You may find that a medium makes your colors appear lighter than expected—this comes with experience and testing. Remember, you can always paint over the texture medium if the color isn’t right after drying.
Drying time depends on how thickly the paste is applied. Thick layers may feel dry on the surface within minutes but can still be soft underneath. Avoid pressing on thick applications until they’re completely cured.
Clear vs. White Texture Medium for Acrylics
Different types of texture medium produce different results. Texture medium is rather like toothpaste: a paste has a flatter profile straight from the jar, while a gel is softer and rounder. Some mediums dry to an opaque white and others to a transparent finish. Always read the label carefully and experiment to understand what to expect before using it in important work.
How to Apply Acrylic Texture Paste
You can use a variety of tools to apply texture paste onto a canvas or paper. Different tools produce different effects—a coarse or stiff brush will create more visible marks than a soft brush. A painting knife is especially useful because it’s easy to scoop, spread, and shape the paste with it.
Spreading texture paste with a knife is similar to buttering a slice of bread. If you’re unhappy with the texture, simply scrape it up and start again.
Some brands allow texture paste to be used straight from the container without mixing in paint. They may look white when applied but usually dry clear or slightly translucent. You can also apply texture paste over dried paint—acrylic mediums can be used at any stage of a painting’s development.
Pressing into Texture Medium
If you press a painting knife into the texture medium and lift it, you’ll get a ridged, raised texture—very different from the smooth effect of spreading it sideways. Keep in mind that results vary based on how much medium you use, how dry it is, and the shape of your tool. Experimentation is key.
Texture medium is perfect for adding tactile effects in skies, seashores, grasses, rusted surfaces, or windswept hair. Don’t focus on perfection at first—experiment and enjoy discovering what works.
Painting Over Texture Medium
Once the texture medium has dried, you can paint over it freely without disturbing it. You can press a knife into the texture paste, let it dry, and then paint over it with a brush or by spattering color across the surface.
By lightly running a brush across the ridges, paint will catch only on the raised areas. Pressing harder fills the grooves too. Alternatively, using fluid paint will cause it to settle in the recessed areas, creating interesting depth and variation.
Correcting Mistakes in Acrylic Texture Medium
While still wet, texture medium is easy to adjust or remove—just scrape it off with a knife or cloth. Drying time varies by brand and studio conditions; airflow and warmth will speed it up. If you’re unsure, remove it while wet and rethink your approach. Once dry, you’ll need to use sandpaper to smooth the surface for reworking.
Marion Bobby Evans, 2019 (www.thesprucecrafts.com)
