Thanks to Liquitex and their featured artist COVL for this how-to.

There’s more to a painting than just colour — there’s energy, grit, and feeling. In this video, artist COVL takes us into the expressive world of texture and volume using Liquitex Basics Acrylics and Basics Gel Mediums — simple tools with big creative impact.

Whether you're working in a tight space or capturing the pulse of a vibrant city, this technique-forward exploration proves you don’t need a plan — just curiosity, colour, and a palette knife.

COVL begins with a spontaneous strike of Liquitex Basics Acrylic in Blue, laid down with a palette knife for maximum control and texture. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s energy. A gritty, textured foundation sets the tone for a more expressive and dynamic composition.

“Living in a city where there's so much grit and texture, I just feel like this is the best part.”

Next comes a favourite studio trick: Liquitex Modeling Paste. When blended with Basics Acrylic, it thickens the paint to a rich, sculptural consistency — perfect for bold gestures, high peaks, and floral forms.

“This is so much fun to play with... it’s very therapeutic.”

This blend is what brings structure to colour — and makes every swipe on the canvas feel more deliberate and dimensional.

To push the piece further, COVL reaches for Liquitex Basics Coarse Texture Medium. It adds a sand-like finish that feels raw and tactile — a grounded contrast to the smooth peaks of modeling paste.

“It's like working with sand — which is really fun.”

Use it to anchor areas of your painting or to mimic natural textures like rock, gravel, or earth.

With the texture set, COVL layers in spring/summer energy using vibrant yellows and oranges — thickened again with modeling paste for a bold, abstract floral burst.

“Okay, abstract flower, but it works. It's definitely giving spring summer.”

There’s no pressure to get it right — just play with form, balance, and vibrancy. Add finishing touches with a brush and create small focal points that break up space and guide the eye.

This painting isn’t about perfect technique — it’s about letting intuition lead, embracing texture, and enjoying the process.

“Texture, volume, vibrancy — we love it.”

• Liquitex Basics Acrylics – High-quality pigment, beginner-friendly price.

• Liquitex Modeling Paste – Thickens acrylics for sculptural applications.

• Liquitex Coarse Texture Medium – Adds sand-like grit and tooth.