You can use acrylic gel with structure paint by applying it as a base layer to create texture and then painting over it. Since acrylic gels are acrylic-based, they are compatible with acrylic paints and can also be painted over with oil paints, keeping in mind that you should paint oil over acrylic, not the other way around.
Understanding Acrylic Gel & Structure Paint
- Acrylic Gel: A medium used to build texture and add dimension to your artwork. It can be applied thickly to create bold, raised effects or thinly for subtle texture.
- Structure Paint: Often refers to paint with a thick consistency, sometimes combined with fillers, to create a textured surface. However, "structure paint" also refers to a type of paint that is similar to acrylic gel, often used to build impasto effects.
How to use Acrylic Gel with Structure Paint
The reference primarily discusses using acrylic gel as a base and layering oil paint on top. However, the fact that it is an acrylic gel means you can apply it in combination with acrylic structure paint as well. This can be achieved through layering or mixing techniques:
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Layering Technique:
- Apply Acrylic Gel: Use a palette knife or brush to apply acrylic gel onto your canvas or surface. This layer will create the structure and texture for your painting. You can apply it thickly for bold effects or thinly for subtle textures.
- Let it Dry: Allow the gel to dry completely. The drying time can vary based on the thickness of the gel and ambient humidity.
- Apply Structure Paint: Once dry, you can then apply structure paint (or regular acrylic paint) directly onto the textured gel base. This can either be used to highlight the textures created by the gel or to add a new layer of dimension with structure paint.
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Mixing Technique:
- Combine: Mix acrylic gel directly with your structure paint (or regular acrylic paint). This blend can change the texture, transparency and thickness of the paint.
- Apply: The mixture can then be applied to the surface of the artwork, this will create a unique base with altered properties, for example, giving the paint more body.
Painting Oil Over Acrylic Gel
As the reference from YouTube explains, because acrylic gels are acrylic, you can:
- Paint oil colors on top. You can use thin layers of oil to color large areas. This creates beautiful effects.
- This takes advantage of the "rule" that oil can be painted on top of acrylic, but never the other way around.
Summary
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Layering | Apply acrylic gel for texture, dry, then apply structure paint (or acrylic paint) on top. |
| Mixing | Combine acrylic gel with structure paint (or acrylic paint) before applying to alter the properties. |
| Oil Painting | You can apply oil paint to a base of acrylic gel, ensuring it is dry first. |
By combining acrylic gel and structure paint, you can create diverse textures and depths in your artwork. You can create bold textures or add subtle dimensions to your artwork.
