In order to create a memorable, magical, and meaningful piece of art, the artist usually has to put a lot of work behind the scenes and in the process deal with quite a few hurdles. While there are some hurdles that we can’t really control and eventually have to accept, there are some obstacles that we can actively try to fix and prevent from happening again. One such issue that does come with a legitimate solution would be cracked acrylic pour painting.
Read on to find out more about the ways in which you can easily fix your cracked acrylic pouring paintings and prevent these pesky cracks from appearing again.
Why did my acrylic pour painting crack?
Before we can work towards finding a solution to a problem, we have to examine the causes of it and in this case, there can be several different causes for your acrylic pour painting to crack.
The paint is too thick
One such cause has to do with the consistency of your acrylic pour paint. If your paint has too thick of consistency then its surface layer might dry faster than the bottom layers. Since the bottom layers of the paint are still wet, this will lead to the surface cracking.
The paint is too thin
On the flip side, if your acrylic pour paint is too thin, you might come across the same issue. In the case of your paint has a thin consistency, usually, the binders will break down and stop the paint from holding together which will then create gaps between the colors.
Get the right consistency
It is very important for you to obtain the right ratios of paint and pouring medium to achieve the perfect consistency. You should also avoid using water to dilute your paint and instead use a good-quality pouring medium such as Liquitex.
Yes, it will take a bit of trial and error to find the right paint consistency, but at the end the results and the lack of cracks will surely be worth it.
Drying your paint
Another cause behind your acrylic pour paint cracking would be not letting it dry completely before you use a varnish on it. So make sure to be a little patient even after you are done with your painting and wait around 3-4 weeks before varnishing your paint.
Additionally using a spray varnish instead of a liquid varnish will also prevent cracks from appearing on your painting. I highly recommend Krylon varnish.
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In relation to drying your painting, another thing to consider would be the type of environment your painting is drying in.
The room temperature and humidity of the area you paint in, are important factors that can impact how well your painting dries.
NOTE: Working in a dry room temperature environment will ensure the best results. Eliminating any airflow near your painting such as a fan blowing will further help you avoid cracks.
How do you fix cracked acrylic pour painting?
Before you begin painting, there are some things you can do right off the bat to ensure that your acrylic pours won’t crack.
- You should always make sure to use high-quality acrylic paints and mediums.
- After starting to paint, you should try to pour off more paint in order to keep it from having too thick of a coat on the surface. Layering multiple thin coats instead of one big thick coat can also stop cracks from occurring.
If you notice cracks appearing on your paint after you are finished with it, you have to fix it. Let’s learn how.
My best-recommended fix
While you can’t fight fire with fire, you can definitely fix Painting cracks with more paint. In order to fix and cover up the cracks or crazing on your painting, you can carefully and precisely put more paint over it.
Here are some useful tips to follow:
- Using a funnel to spread the new paint over your old painting can further help with the precision that is required during this process.
- Depending on your preferences, you can use a blowtorch to make the paint look more blended.
- Using a single color of paint, usually in vibrant color, can further act as a pop of color and take attention away from the cracks.
- When painting over the cracks be sure to use some extra paint as it is likely to shrink as the paint dries.
- Pay attention to consistency – use the right amount and the right type of paint.
- Dry your painting in the appropriate conditions to prevent any cracking.
My alternative fixes
The process mentioned above can be a bit tedious and requires some time and effort and if your painting allows for it, you can actually just choose to leave the cracks on your painting.
Many great works of art develop a bunch of imperfections over time but eventually, these imperfect details end up becoming an important part of these artworks.
So if these cracks kind of go with the aesthetic of your painting you can try to find some beauty in them and just leave them be.
Lastly, you can also just give up trying to fix this cracked mess altogether and begin again. Art is all about making mistakes and trying new things. In other words, restarting your acrylic painting for a second time and taking all the precautions that will prevent your painting from cracking again is not a bad idea at all.
Is there a paint that fills cracks?
While there is no magical paint that will instantly fix up all your cracks, high-quality acrylic paints will definitely make it easier and be more effective in filling cracks. Three of the most reliable and reputable acrylic paint brands include Golden, Liquitex, and Winsor & Newton.
Golden has a various heavy body and liquid acrylic paints that are suitable for artists to use. Liquitex, along with having a heavy body and liquid paints as well, also has paint sets and basic colors that are perfect for students and beginners. Winsor & Newton is known for their high pigmented acrylics that also mix very well and therefore are again great for professionals to use.
Depending on your preferences as an artist and price range, you can also experiment with different types and different brands of acrylic pour paints to find your suitable match.