Controlled Chaos

Do you like the idea of wild gestural strokes and splatters but find yourself taking a more restrained approach to art? Try this technique; it will make you feel empowered. Using this method, you can be loose in a controlled, precise way, and no one will know you didn’t just pour the paint on your art surface in a wild Pollack style.

TECHNIQUE ONE: Brush It

Step 1

Cut out a piece of gampi paper to cover the area you will work with.

Step 2

Place the paper over your painting and brush on paint or glaze. Evaluate the color.

Step 3

If you like the effect, let the paint dry. If the effect is not what you were hoping for, you can peel off the paper.

TECHNIQUE TWO: Splatter It

Step 1

Splatter paint onto plastic wrap or some other type of plastic with a toothbrush or paintbrush. Allow the paint to dry. You’ll get different kinds of splatter depending on the wetness of your paint.

Step 2

Brush polymer medium or soft gel onto your surface.

Step 3

Lay the painted side of the plastic face down and brayer. Let dry.

Step 4

Peel off the plastic and your drips will now be on the surface of your art.

TECHNIQUE THREE: Pour It

Step 1

Pour self-leveling gel or polymer medium on plastic.

Step 2

Add drops of wet paint or acrylic ink.

Step 3

While the gel medium is wet, move the four corners of the plastic up and down to swirl the color.

Step 4

Let dry and then peel the medium off the plastic. Apply as desired to your artwork.

TECHNIQUE FOUR: Ice It

Step 1

Mix a little paint into a soft matte gel.

Step 2

Use a cake spatula to spread the gel onto the plastic.

Step 3

Let dry.

Step 4

Peel the dried gel off the plastic and glue it to your painting with polymer medium or soft gel as desired.

ROCKING TO THE SOUND OF NATURE

Darlene Olivia McElroy