Creating a crackle finish

Resene paint effects projects, project 01

This finish creates the effect of crazed and weathered paint.

It is achieved by a layer of crackle medium between two coats of waterborne paint. The medium absorbs moisture from the topcoat causing it to shrink and crack to reveal the basecoat.

A rocking horse ornament with a crazed paint finish

Create a crackle finish on a rocking horse

You will need

No.5 round pointed brusho
No.10 round nylon brush or flat nylon brusho
No.12 white bristle flat brusho
Resene Art Action Student Acrylic Black and White
Resene FX Crackle
Resene FX Metallic tinted to Resene Gold
Resene Qristal Clear Poly-Flat or Poly-Satin
Resene testpots in Resene Anglaise, Resene Black Magic, Resene Double Doeskin, Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Sorrell Brown, Resene Nero and Resene Waratah
Saucer

Project tips

Before you start painting, do a test run on a piece of card. The consistency of the paint affects the finished look. Thinner paint gives a finer crackle and a thicker application gives a more chunky look.

The crackle medium works very quickly. Don’t go back over areas you have already painted once the crackling has started as the paint will lift in unsightly blobs.

To make neat, round dots for the highlights on the eyes use the ‘wrong’ end of a small artist brush. Pour some paint onto a saucer and dip the wooden end of the brush into the paint, picking up just a little. Hold it at right angles to the surface and lightly touch the paint on. The size of the point on the handle will determine the size of the dots. Practice on a scrap of paper before you start.

How to make the crackle paint finish

Step 1

Step 2a

Step 3

Step 1: Apply one coat of Resene Black Magic to the entire piece using the bristle brush and allow to dry.

Step 2: Apply one even coat of Resene FX Crackle and allow to thoroughly dry.

Step 3a

Step 3b

Step 2b

Step 3: Using a nylon brush apply a coat of Resene Anglaise to the horse and rocker base. Do not paint mane, tail or saddle.

Step 4: Paint the saddle and girth strap with Resene Sorrell Brown.

Step 5: Paint the mane and tail using Resene Doeskin.

Step 6: Apply one coat of the following colours to the areas designated:Resene Waratah to the straps on the breast and rump, Resene Pohutukawa to the saddle blanket and bridle, Resene Nero on the hooves and eye areas, Resene FX Metallic Gold to the tassles on the harness and girth buckle. Add a small white dot to the upper back area of the eyes to create a highlight.