Have you ever felt like your artwork felt a little…flat? If you can relate both literally and figuratively, using mixed media relief paste could be just the thing to incorporate texture and added interest. It can provide a tactile experience and stunning visuals too, especially when your projects catch light.
Altenew Shimmer Relief Paste
We’ll be exploring some exciting relief paste ideas, glitter relief paste techniques, and ways to create stunning textured art with different mediums. Hopefully, you can try them all, decide on your favorites, and experiment more with mixed media pastes! Let’s get started!
What Makes Textured Art So Special?
Relief pastes are thick, creamy mediums designed to add raised patterns, textures, and even metallic or glitter effects to projects. They work beautifully on paper, wood, canvas, and even glass. The best part? They come in a variety of finishes—matte, glossy, metallic, and shimmery.
You don’t need to be limited by their finishes either. If you want to achieve a specific color or combine two elements together, you can try it! For instance, consider combining metallic paste with shimmery paste if you want to incorporate both in your project.
The possibilities for relief paste ideas are endless. All you need is a generally good grasp of ideas and techniques to get you started.
Try These Glitter Relief Paste Techniques to Make Unique Art!
Ready to add texture and shine to your art? If you have no idea where to begin, take a look at some techniques to get inspiration and learn the basics of making art with relief paste.
Accomplish Intricate Designs Easily with Stenciling
For artists who have never worked with relief paste before, consider using it alongside stencils. Not only is it a foolproof and incredibly easy process, but it’s an excellent introduction to those learning the ins and outs of mixed media paste.
All you have to do is lay the stencil on whatever surface you want to work with, secure it with something like a sticky mat or washi tape, and apply your relief paste! After a thin layer is applied, slowly peel off your stencil and see the result instantly!
Create a Gradient Color Effect
You’ll find that most relief pastes come in one color per tub or container. It’s perfect and holds lots of amazing possibilities for creating art, but if you feel like your work is looking a bit plain or monotonous, try pairing it with other relief paste colors!
Mixing them is one thing, but you can also go for a gradient or ombre tone especially if you’re working with similar shades. Get that ‘wow’ factor not just with one shade, but two or more! It’s the perfect technique to try if you enjoy playing with color blending.
Try Freehand Sculpting for a More ‘Imperfect’ Look
Using stencils or applying your relief paste in symmetrical lines is awesome, but you can also mix things up by freehanding! This technique really gives you a chance to unleash your creativity and make designs that are uniquely yours.
If you’re playing around with thickness in your relief paste, don’t forget to take drying time into account. The thinner the layer, the faster it dries, and the thicker the layer, the longer it takes to fully dry. Allow the paste to dry completely before handling your project to prevent smudging or damage.
Add Shimmer with Subtle Splatters and Accents
Your relief paste doesn’t always have to be the star of the show. If you ever feel like your project is almost complete but lacking a little bit of zing or interest, some shimmer relief paste can do the trick! One technique is adding splatters or applying paste on the corners or edges of your work. It adds something special to your work while still letting other elements of the project shine.
Combine with Other Mixed Media
Relief paste doesn’t just work on its own, but you can also use it with other mediums and supplies to make unique artwork! For example, if you have other mixed media supplies you enjoy working with like die-cuts or embossing powders, consider pairing them with relief paste.
Here’s Why You Should Experiment with Relief Paste Ideas
Now that you know about relief paste and some of the techniques you can play around with, here are some reasons why you should consider it for your next artwork.
Discover new textures and effects to work with
Harness your creativity and innovation skills with something you’ve never worked with
Use relief paste alongside your other art tools and supplies to generate new ideas
Achieve Gorgeous Textured, Shimmery Effects in Your Art
Shimmering relief pastes are an absolute game-changer in the world of art. They bring texture, sparkle, and artistry to every project, whether you’re making paintings, home decor, or any kind of mixed-media art. If you’ve never tried working with it, now’s the perfect time to try!
On top of trying these tips and techniques, join relief paste classes to get professional insight and tons of inspiration too! In the meantime, stay tuned for more art tips and inspiration in The Creative Corner.
