Crackle Paint Demo

I've been experimenting with the putz house kits again!  I was looking for a rustic finish that would complement a summer village display, and so I am working with a crackle medium today to get that primitive look.  There are several of these types of crackle paints on the market. The exact one I am using is Folk Art Crackle Medium.  Here's how to use crackle medium: paint a base coat (this is the color that will show through the cracks later,) let dry fully.  Paint on a layer of the crackle medium and let dry for one hour.  Then, apply a top coat of the alternate color.  It starts to crackle right away. I did some swatch tests using various craft paints for the top and bottom layers, and my best results were with some of the cheapest, most basic acrylic craft paints in just a standard satin finish.  So this is a very affordable way to add some great character to the chipboard putz houses.

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Supplies:

• Putz House Kit (I am using the Farmhouse model in the demo)
• Acrylic craft paints in two colors (I am using DecoArt Americana in Tuscan Red and Folk Art brand multi surface in white)
• Folk Art Crackle Medium
• Fast drying craft glue 
• Scissors, straight edge for house assembly
• Paintbrushes 
• Scrap cardboard for paint test
• Optional: Fairy lights for display

Step 1:

Use a piece of scrap cardboard to do a test with the paints and crackle medium.  Brush on a layer of the base paint color, and allow to dry.  Then, apply a coat of the crackle medium of the base color. Let dry one hour.  Apply a top coat in the alternate color.  If you fail to see any crackling, repeat the test with a different brand of paint.  Other troubleshooting notes: the label suggests to not use their product in humid conditions.   Do this work on a dry day. I have also found it helpful to set the piece outside in the sun to dry between layers. 

Step 2:

Assemble the chipboard house kit according to the included instructions.  Leave off the windows, door, and base.

Step 3:

Paint the house and roof in the base color.  In my case, I chose Tuscan Red for the walls and plain white for the roof. These colors are what will show through the crackle.  Let dry fully.

Step 4:

Paint on an even coat of the Crackle Medium.  Let dry for one hour (set a timer.)  The medium should be dry, and should not come off on your finger when you touch it.  

Step 5:

Working in sections, apply the top paint color.  It is important to work rapidly as the effect begins right away, and you will not want to paint over areas that have already started to crackle.  If you brush over paint that has started to move, the paint may lift, and you'll also paint over the base color.  So, it is a good idea to work in small areas so you can get coverage of paint without going over your previous brush strokes.

Step 6:

After the paint has fully dried, cut the included vellum windows and door a little larger than the openings, and apply to the inside of the walls with glue.  Run glue around the lower edge of the house and press down onto the base.

Step 7:

Repeat the painting process on the base of the house.

Featured Products:

Farmhouse Kit