"Snap!" "Crackle" Pop!"
Let's talk: "Crackle"
I am asked time-and-again... "How do you achieve such
consistent crackling, in your dolls?"
The truth is... It's not about me! It's all about
the crackle medium I have been applying to
my dolls for years:
I use DecoArt One Step Crackle.
I have found that this medium consistently produces a desirable
crackle finish on both paper clay
(my primary doll sculpting medium) and wood.
I brush it on thick and am often guilty of over-brushing it;
a big taboo with other crackle mediums.
And yet, it consistently produces nice, even crackling.
It is truly a "one-step" application:
Step #1.
I apply the crackle medium to the doll/surface
after the doll is painted and completely dry.
Then, I allow the crackle medium to dry overnight.
The product label suggests a 2-4 hour dry time;
but I always allow it to dry overnight,
even though you see “crackling” almost immediately.
Step #2.
Next, I brush contrasting acrylic paint over the entire surface
(that has the dried crackle medium applied to it).
I choose a color that I want to fill all of the little cracks
that have appeared.
Two of my favorite contrasting colors are:
raw umber and raw sienna.
Step #3.
Then... I immediately begin to wipe off the acrylic
paint that was just applied, using a soft cloth... to reveal
the crackled finish. I often leave some of the acrylic paint
in cracks and crevices to give the finish a time-worn look.
Step #4.
(Optional... only if you want a matte/dull finish)
The only thing that I do not like about DecoArt is
it leaves a very high sheen/gloss finish, when dry.
To remedy this... as an additional step, I use
Plaid FolkArt Outdoor Matte Sealer as a top-coat (last step).
Apply the Matte Sealer only after after Step #3 is dry.
My suggestion is: You try this product on your lovely doll,
only AFTER you have first applied it to a "sample piece"...
to make sure you are satisfied with your results.
(Ben Franklin said it first: "Only two things are certain in life...")
Have fun! Daryle
