AboutJudy Expertise I can answer ALL questions related to watercolor paintings, except appraisal or artist identification. I can answer general questions about oil, acrylic, Chinese painting, and other media. I am NOT an art appraiser at all for any kind. I can only answer questions in aspects of materials, techniques, and critiques. I do NOT have the access to records of auction, painting pricing, or artist files & works, unlike art gallery dealers or art appraisers. I would not know how much an art piece is worth, but I am only an expert in the "art form" but nothing to do with VALUE.
Experience Professional watercolorist for decades. Knowledgeable about all media, but not in value or pricing.
Education/Credentials BFA in Fine Art, Painting
MA in Art
Question Dear Judy, I would like to know how to make the effect of little crackings on an oil painting. I wanna make it look aged like the Italian renaissance masterpieces.
I hope you can help me.
Luis
Answer Hi Luis,
Most of the time what you would find at the stores is the crackle medium for ACRYLIC paintings. There were only a few companies making crackle medium for oil paintings, but I am not sure if you could find any nowadays. I have not seen it for oil... so I am not even sure if you have that for oil paintings in your area?
If you can find crackle medium for oil, it is very easy to use it. You just apply the medium in one of the two bottles that makes oil paint cracked. Let dry. Then, apply one coat of brownish paint over it, and you would see the crackle taking the effect. Let dry, then apply the varnish from the other bottle.
If you cannot find crackle medium, it would be hard to crack it the way you like it to be. it is very hard to control how you want the cracks. First way to do it is when you are still painting the oil painting. Before the first layer dries, you apply the second layer. Then, use a hair dryer to quickly dry the second layer. Oil paint cracks when drying at a different time, especial when the top layer dries faster than the bottom layer.
Second thing you can do is either using acrylic paint on top of the oil or using acrylic crackle medium. Using acrylic paint directly on top of oil painting is harder because you have to use some clear acrylic gell, or you are going to cover the oil painting. If you get acrylic crackle medium, just apply the medium. Let dry. Then, apply some light brown color of acrylic paint on it. It will crack right before your eyes
