Art Files: Art Basics

New - Heavy Body Gel:

  

Transparent, flexible, permanent, extra heavy body acrylic medium with a gloss finish.
Adds heavy body to paints; mixes with pigments, inks and paints; helps create dimensional texture holding very high peaks. Excellent 3D collage adhesive or as a base for thick, custom gels. Apply with a palette knife, texture tool, or fingers. 

Water-based. Archival safe. Non-toxic

Soft Gels – introduction:

Transparent, flexible, permanent after drying, acrylic mediums.
Light, spreadable gel, great as a collage adhesive, for varnishing effects and for transfer techniques.
Great base for custom gels and paints - mix with pigments, inks and acrylic paints.
Water-based. Archival safe. Non-toxic. 

Application: best results when applied with a paintbrush, sponge or stencil brush. It can be dried with a heating tool.

What can Soft Gel do?

- It acts as a liquid glue for paper and lightweight elements, it is perfect for collage techniques. Applied on the top of the project acts like a varnish.

- Soft Gel acts as a resist: you can create interesting, resist and layering effects in combination with water based sprays, inks and paints.

- It is a good sealer for products from Art Ingredients Line: seals in Fine Glitters or Art Sugar to create sparkly or iridescent effects on your project.

- It seals Art Extravagance Crackle Paste to prevent larger pieces from chipping off.

- It can be used for image transfer techniques.

- It is great for mixing with colored mediums: pigments, inks, watercolor paints, acrylic paints. It doesn't change the intensity of the color of the paints – it changes into customized colored soft gel instead – it can be applied with a paintbrush like paints.

- Soft Gel adds transparency to water based paints providing a range of interesting effects for your projects.

Soft Matte Gel

Transparent, flexible, permanent, acrylic medium with matte finish.
Light, spreadable gel, great as a collage adhesive, for varnishing effects and for transfer techniques.
Great base for custom gels and paints - mix with pigments, inks and acrylic paints.
Water-based. Archival safe. Non-toxic.

Soft Gloss Gel

Transparent, flexible, permanent, acrylic medium with gloss finish.
Light, spreadable gel, great as a collage adhesive, for varnishing effects and for transfer techniques.
Great base for custom gels and paints - mix with pigments, inks and acrylic paints.
Water-based. Archival safe. Non-toxic.

Tips for using Soft Gels:

- Try different effects with Art Ingredients Line: you can sprinkle the lighter of them such as Fine Glitters, Mica Flakes or Art Sugar on the top of applied gel and dry or put the Soft Gel and chosen Art Ingredient into small container and mix them to create a special effect Soft Gel. You can add any colored medium too for more interesting effect! If the container will have a lid, you can keep the extra of the customized gel for later usage.

- Soft Gel is great for sealing crackles of Art Extravagance Crackle Pastes: apply a coat of Soft Gel on the dried, crackled surface and let it dry. Repeat if needed. Soft Gel will hold all the pieces in place.

- Soft Gel resists non permanent mediums (sprays, inks etc), so it is perfect for layering techniques: you can create a texture or pattern, seal it with Soft Gel, and then add another layer on top. If you want to add a stamped or painted layer on top of the Soft Gel, use a permanent ink, spray or paint. Make sure to dry between each step.

- You can create interesting projects using image transfer techniques: print image with laser printer, take a photo copy, or choose a magazine print. Spread the Soft Gel on the print with a paintbrush and place image print-side down on the prepared background. Smooth with hand and dry completely. Spray with water and rub paper off with fingers taking care not to affect the image. Dry again and seal with a layer of Soft Gel.

- As Soft Gels are permanent after drying we suggest putting the tools into water or cleaning them with water and soap (or wet wipes) just after using.

3D Gels – introduction:

Great quality semi-transparent, flexible, heavy body acrylic gel mediums.
It's permanent and resistant to water based spays, inks and paints after drying.
Water-based. Archival safe. Non-toxic.

Application: best results when applied with palette knife or texture tool. Possible to speed-up drying using heating tool.

What can 3D Gel do?

- 3D Gel adds texture and dimension on any working surface, holds the stroke: works great with texture tools, palette knives and stencils.

- It is a good clear dimensional adhesive for collage techniques including 3D objects such as embellishments, found objects and ephemera.

- 3D Gel acts as a resist: you can create interesting, effects in combination with water based sprays, inks and paints.

- Thanks to not too heavy consistence it is a perfect base for creating custom-made gels and pastes. Works great with Art Ingredients Line(glitters, flakes, beads) and any other grained substance.

- It is great for mixing with colored mediums: pigments, inks, watercolor paints, acrylic paints. It doesn't change the intensity of the color of the paints – it changes into customized colored gel instead.

- 3D Gel adds body and transparency to water based paints providing a range of interesting effects for your projects.

3D Matte Gel

Great quality semi-transparent transparent, flexible, heavy body acrylic gel medium with a matte finish.
White when wet, dries clear, almost transparent.
It's permanent and resistant to water based spays, inks and paints after drying.
Water-based. Archival safe. Non-toxic.

3D Gloss Gel

Great quality transparent transparent, flexible, heavy body acrylic gel medium with a glossy finish.
White when wet, dries clear, transparent.
It's permanent and resistant to water based spays, inks and paints after drying.
Water-based. Archival safe. Non-toxic.

Tips for using 3D Gels:

- You can try different effects with Art Ingredients Line: you can sprinkle them on the top of applied gel and dry or put the 3D Gel and chosen Art Ingredient into small container and mix them to create a special effect paste. You can add any colored medium too for more interesting effect! If the container will have a lid, you can keep the extra of the customized gel for later usage.

- For gluing dimensional embellishments you may prefer to use your fingers for application instead of palette knives of brushes. It is easier to control the amount of gel you are applying...and clean the “tool” too!

- 3D Gels need a bit of time to dry perfectly and get transparent, the thicker the layer is, the longer it takes. You can dry the top surface with heating tool to create “film” and continue working on your project when needed, but for very dimensional projects with large amount of very heavy elements glued we'd suggest to dry the project naturally for couple of hours before taking next steps.

- As 3D Gels are permanent after drying we suggest cleaning the tools and stencils with water and soap (or wet wipes) just after using.

Light Paste – introduction

Opaque, thick, but airy, acrylic paste with a white matte finish. Permanent when dry.
Adds light, dimensional, flexible texture to a project.
Works great as a base for custom paste or matte paint.
Water-based. Archival-safe. Non-toxic.

Application: best effects when using palette knife or texture tool. Possible drying with heating tool.

What can Light Paste do?

- Works great on different surfaces adding white, opaque but also a bit transparent texture.

- Creates great dimension when applied by texture tool, stencil, or palette knife.

- Works well as an adhesive for dimensional elements such as embellishments or found objects.

- It is a perfect base for creating custom-made pastes. Works great with Art Ingredients Line (glitters, flakes, beads) and any other grained substance or mixed with range of colored mediums such as inks, water based paints or pigments.

- Light Paste is semi-workable: you can add color to light paste by spraying with sprays, or painting over with acrylic paint.

Tips for using Light Paste:

- Light Paste holds dimension, but is light and airy. It is white and slightly more transparent than modeling paste – it makes it perfect for winter project to create snow effects, especially when mixed with iridescent Art Ingredients such as Art Sugars or Fine Glitter. Sprinkle them over the paste or put some Light Paste and glitter into small container and mix them to create a special effect paste. If the container will have a lid, you can keep the extra of the customized gel for later usage.

- It is great for mixing with colored mediums: pigments, inks, watercolor paints, acrylic paints. It will change the intensity of the color of the paints – they will get slightly white-washed, creating customized colored paste with matte finish. This paste is thicker than acrylic for great colorful dimension.

- Light Paste need a bit of time to dry perfectly: the thicker the layer is, the longer it takes. You can dry the top surface with heating tool to create “film” and continue working on your project when needed.

- As Light Paste is permanent after drying we suggest cleaning the tools and stencils with water and soap (or wet wipes) just after using.

Modeling Paste – introduction

Opaque, thick, acrylic paste with a white matte finish.
Hard and permanent yet flexible, when dry.
Perfect for creating texture, adding dimension, or as a base for custom paints and pastes. Mix with paint, pigment, or ink.
Water-based. Archival-safe. Non-toxic.

Application: best effects when using palette knife or texture tool. Possible drying with heating tool.

What can Modeling Paste do?

- Works great on different surfaces adding semi white, opaque but also a bit transparent texture.
It is more opaque, and thicker than Light Paste.

- Creates great, high dimension when applied with a texture tool, stencil, or palette knife.

- Works well as an adhesive for dimensional elements such as embellishments or found objects.

- Modeling Paste acts as a white resist: you can create interesting effects in combination with water based sprays, inks and paints.

- It is a perfect base for creating custom-made pastes. Works great with Art Ingredients Line (glitters, flakes, beads) and any other grained substance or mixed with range of colored mediums such as inks, water based paints or pigments.

Tips for using Modeling Paste:

- Modeling Paste is a prefect choice when you want to create white texture on colored or patterned background. You can get great artistic effects using texture tools or stencils.

- You can try different effects with Art Ingredients Line: you can sprinkle them on the top of applied gel and dry or put the Modeling Paste and chosen Art Ingredient into small container and mix them to create a special effect paste – remember the colors will remain slightly white-washed after drying! You can add any colored medium too for more interesting effect!

- It is great for mixing with colored mediums: pigments, inks, watercolor paints, acrylic paints. It will change the intensity of the color of the paints – they will get slightly white-washed, creating customized colored paste with matte finish. If you add color with acrylic paint, this creates a white-washed thick, custom paste.

- Modeling Paste need a bit of time to dry perfectly: the thicker the layer is, the longer it takes. You can dry the top surface with heating tool to create “film” and continue working on your project when needed.

- As Modeling Paste is permanent after drying we suggest cleaning the tools and stencils with water and soap (or wet wipes) just after using.

Heavy Gesso – Introduction

Opaque, matte, ground acrylic. Dries quickly.
Works well for a variety of color products providing a smooth, non-yellowing, chalky background.
Gesso is water-based, but permanent and flexible after drying.
Non-toxic. Archival safe.

Application: with a paintbrush or palette knife. It dries quickly, you can speed the process up with heat tool.

What can Gesso do?

- Gesso is a great primer on most surfaces: including canvas, wood, paper, metal, chipboard, fabric, plastic, etc.

- It is great for covering and preparing a background for art mediums: it neutralizes colors on previously painted surfaces to provide a new painting base.

- It is permanent, semi-resistant, flexible after drying – it provides a non-soaking, workable surface with a nice tooth for applying colored mediums on the top.

- Works good with stencils, texture tools and palette knives to add texture and pattern to your projects.

- As Gesso will provide a slight resist to non-permanent color products you can get a full range of interesting art effect when used with stencils, inks, sprays and water based paints.

- White Heavy Gesso is great for mixing with acrylic paint to create a white-washed, colored gesso.

Heavy Gesso - White

White, opaque, matte, ground acrylic. Quick-drying paint and primer. Works well for a variety of color products providing a permanent, smooth, chalky background. Will mix with pigments, or acrylic paints, to create a range of customized, colored grounds. Water-based. Archival safe.

Heavy Gesso – Black

Black, opaque, matte, ground acrylic. Quick-drying paint and primer. Works well for a variety of color products providing a permanent, smooth, chalky background. Water-based. Archival safe.

Clear Gesso

Transparent, matte, ground acrylic. Quick-drying primer – it has light texture similar to Soft Gel but provides a light tooth. Works well for a variety of color products providing a permanent, smooth, background while creating a clear workable surface for color products. Water-based. Archival safe.

Tips for working with Gesso:

- If you apply Heavy Gesso through the stencil or add strokes with a palette knife you will get interesting texture for your projects. Application with the sponge is also possible!

- White and Black Gesso are great for repainting the dimensional elements such as embellishments, found objects or ephemera removing the unwanted colors and providing great working surface for painting with colored mediums.

- White Heavy Gesso has body in it, but it won't cover your background perfectly with just one coat. For good results you should put 2 thinner coats, drying them in-between the steps.

- Black Gesso will provide you full coverage with just one layer. It will work very similar to chalkboard paint: you will be able to use chalks, white pens, pencils and the colors will really pop!

- Layering White Heavy Gesso on dimensional elements painted with Black Heavy Gesso will give you interesting “frosting” effect – for best results drybrush 2 layers of white gesso on the chosen elements.

- Clear Gesso is great for any kind of collage or layering techniques: it protects background layer (glossy magazine images, projects covered with gel or varnish, glossy photos) creating a clear workable surface for color products. Provides a “tooth” to slick, glossy surfaces. For best results prime surface with clear gesso, dry it, then create on top effortlessly.

- As Gesso is permanent after drying we suggest cleaning the tools and stencils with water and soap (or wet wipes) just after using.