Crafting with Texture: Here's Everything You Need to Know About Mixed Media Pastes!

The essence of art is pushing boundaries and trying to find ways to express yourself through your chosen medium. If this is something you’re looking to achieve, a great way to elevate your experience is by using mixed media pastes. 

 Shimmer Relief Paste - Antique Silver

This is your chance to experiment with shine, texture, and a unique artistic touch to your art. If you’ve never used pastes for creating art before, we can help! This artistic pastes guide will dive into a few essential paste types you should try as a beginner, some techniques, and inspiration! 

What Is Crafting or Mixed Media Paste?

So you’ve never used paste for creating art but want to learn how. Don’t worry! Mixed media paste is essentially a kind of substance that you can use on your projects to add texture and dimension. If you want your art to have a slightly shiny or lifted effect, then this could be your next favorite medium! 

Let’s start by breaking down 4 different varieties you should know as a beginner:  

Relief Paste 

First up we have relief paste. This is a kind of mixed-media paste that’s designed to add texture to your projects. They’re thick and smooth in texture, great for use on stencils, and can be applied on a variety of surfaces as well such as paper, wood, and even fabric. Once you’ve applied a thin layer on your artwork, the paste should fully dry to the touch within a half hour. 

 Shimmer Paste 

This type of Relief Paste has a shiny and shimmery finish. When applied, this type of paste catches the light beautifully, making certain elements of your project stand out. This is perfect if you find standard paste to be a bit plain, and want to add shimmer without other elements like glitter. 

 Embossing Paste 

Do you want to add texture and dimension to your projects and add a subtle ‘lifted’ effect similar to embossing? If so, you’ll love embossing paste! It can be used with stencils and die-cuts to add extra elements to your projects, and the best part is that you can add dye ink re-inkers, or alcohol ink to turn it into any color you like! 

Crackle Paste 

If you’re looking for a paste that has a dry, more textured look to it, crackle paste might be just the thing. After applying, this paste creates a subtle cracked look that looks like your art was ‘dried up’. This is amazing for adding character to your art, making it look older and more textured than it actually is. 

Image Source: Flickr

How to Choose The Right Paste for Your Project

It truly depends on the theme and overall look you’re going for. If you want a simpler textured effect, then a standard relief paste would work great. Add other effects like shine, shimmer, and cracks with different paste types! 

If you’re a beginner, then maybe getting a few small containers of standard paste with neutral shades is the best way to go. Get yourself familiar with the application and usage first before investing in tons of other mixed media pastes. 

Keep in mind that you can experiment with different pastes in one go! Feel free to mix different colors so you can achieve a certain shade, or even use multiple shades to accomplish an ombre effect. You’d be surprised at how these pastes can elevate your art! 

 Things to Remember on Mixed Media Paste

After getting your mixed media pastes, they will likely arrive in small tubs. Once you open the sealed lid, there will be another protective layer to keep the paste from drying out. Remember to keep both that layer and the lid closed when you’re not using it! You can also use cling wrap as an added protective cover after opening your paste for the first time. 

When it comes to drying time after applying it to your projects, remember that it depends on two things; your environment and how thick you applied the paste. For your first time working with it, apply a thin layer of paste and let it dry for at least a half hour before touching or moving it around. 

Lastly, feel free to mix and experiment with your pastes. This is essential for beginners because it helps you understand what combinations and techniques work for you! 

Crafting Paste Art Techniques For Beginner Artists 

To help kickstart your journey with mixed media pastes, here are a few techniques you can experiment with: 

Use Stencils 

Stencils are perfect for artists who have no experience with mixed media pastes. All you have to do is place your stencil on top of the paper, apply a thin layer of paste, and after a few seconds, gently remove the stencil to avoid smudging. Don’t worry about your stencils because high-quality mixed media paste will wipe or wash right off! 

Freehand Application 

Let your creativity take center stage if you’re confident with using mixed media paste! All you need is your chosen canvas like paper or fabric and apply the paste with a palette knife and you’re good to go! You can go to town with different patterns and strokes but take care not to use your entire tub of paste in one go as well. 

 Shimmer Relief Paste - Pearl

Splatter

Scoop a good amount of mixed media paste on your palette knife and very gently splatter it on your paper. This technique makes it look like you painted asymmetrical dots on your project, adding the prettiest accent details.

Let Mixed Media Paste Give Your Projects Shine And Drama!

Mixed media pastes are a game-changer for crafters looking to explore texture and dimension. They’re easy to use, versatile, and add a professional touch to any project. So grab your favorite paste, let your creativity flow, and start creating with texture today!

For more inspiration and ideas, The Creative Corner has plenty of resources to help you progress in your artistic journey.