This technique uses the body and workability of Liquitex BASICS Gel Mediums to capture the impression of everyday objects in paint — leaves, lace, textured fabric, bubble wrap, wire mesh, or anything with surface detail. The result is a layered, tactile piece with real depth and dimension.

BASICS mediums are formulated with the same acrylic technology as the professional range, making them ideal for experimentation. They dry stable, flexible and archival — so what you create today will last.

Skill level: Beginner and up

Time: 1-2 hours plus drying time

• Liquitex BASICS Acrylics - choose 3-5 colours. Include a dark, a mid-tone, and a light. Try Brilliant Blue for a colour story moment.

• Titanium White (included in most sets, or available individually)

• Rigid support: canvas board, stretched canvas, or thick watercolour paper (300gsm+)

• Palette knife or old credit card (for spreading paste)

• Stiff-bristle brush or fan brush

• Pressing objects: leaves, lace, bubble wrap, wire mesh, crumpled foil, corrugated cardboard, textured fabric

• Palette or plate for mixing

• Water container and paper towel

Apply one or two coats of Liquitex BASICS Gesso to your surface. Let each coat dry fully (15-20 minutes). Gesso creates a slightly textured tooth that helps paint and mediums adhere. You can apply it with a brush and leave visible brush marks - these will become part of your finished texture.

Using a palette knife or old credit card, spread a generous layer (3-5mm thick) of Modeling Paste across your surface. Work quickly - you have about 5 minutes before it begins to set. Leave the surface intentionally uneven: ridges, peaks and flat areas all add interest.

Optional: For a finer, more granular ground, mix equal parts Modeling Paste and Coarse Texture Medium before spreading.

Allow to dry fully - at least 45 minutes to 1 hour. The paste will lighten as it dries.

While the paste is still slightly tacky (approximately 10-15 minutes after applying - touch the edge gently to test), press your chosen objects firmly into the surface. Leaves, lace, bubble wrap and wire mesh all leave excellent impressions.

• Press firmly and evenly for 30-60 seconds

• Peel away slowly at a low angle to avoid lifting the paste

• Layer different objects for more complex texture

If the paste is too soft, wait a few more minutes. If it's fully dry, skip to the gel medium technique in Step 5.

Allow your textured base to dry fully before painting. Rushed drying can cause cracking. For best results, leave for at least 1-2 hours at room temperature. Do not use heat to accelerate drying.

For a more flexible impression technique using Gloss Gel Medium:

1. Apply a thick layer of Gloss Gel Medium to your dried surface (or directly to your support before the paste layer)

2. While wet, press your object into the gel and hold for 60 seconds

3. Peel away slowly - the gel holds the impression as it dries

4. Dry time: 30-45 minutes. The gel dries transparent, revealing texture underneath

Tip: Mix a small amount of BASICS Acrylic colour into the gel before applying for a tinted impression layer.

5. Mix your darkest colour with a little water to a thin, fluid consistency

6. Brush liberally over the entire textured surface - the paint will settle into the valleys and grooves

7. While still wet, drag a dry brush across the peaks to remove excess paint, leaving darker tones in the recesses

8. Allow to dry

9. Apply your mid-tone colour to raised areas with a stiff brush, using a dry-brush technique (load the brush lightly, wipe most paint off on a paper towel, then skim over raised surfaces)

10. Finish by dry-brushing your lightest colour - often Titanium White or a tint - over the highest peaks to catch the "light"

1. Mix BASICS Acrylic colour with Gloss Gel Medium (ratio approximately 1:3 colour to gel)

2. Apply in thin glazes over the textured surface - the gel extends the colour and keeps it transparent

3. Build layers, allowing each to dry, for rich depth and luminosity

4. This approach works particularly well with Brilliant Blue - the electric hue changes character dramatically as it pools in valleys versus catches on ridges

Use a dry brush loaded with Titanium White or your lightest colour to lightly stroke across the highest peaks of texture. This creates the illusion of light falling across a dimensional surface.

For a metallic highlight: brush a small amount of undiluted Iridescent or Metallic BASICS colour over the peaks once your base colours are dry.

This technique works with any BASICS palette, but here are starting points inspired by the Liquitex Brilliant Blue / Shimmering Lagoon colour story:

• Base layer: Prussian Blue Hue - deep and moody in the recesses

• Mid-tone: Brilliant Blue - electric energy across the main surface

• Highlight: Titanium White mixed with Brilliant Blue - vibrant pastel peak tones

• Accent: Medium Magenta - sparingly, as a complementary surprise in the deepest valleys

• Paste cracking: Usually caused by applying too thick a layer or drying too quickly. Keep layers under 6mm and dry at room temperature.

• Object sticking to paste: You waited too long - the paste has set fully. Use the gel medium impression method instead (Step 5).

• Paint sitting flat on texture: Your paint is too fluid. Use paint straight from the tube, or mix with a small amount of Modeling Paste for a thicker consistency.

• Texture too subtle: Build a second layer of Modeling Paste over the dried first layer, pressing objects in again. Multiple layers create more dramatic relief.

• Gel medium impression not holding detail: Apply a thicker layer of gel, and make sure your pressing object has clean, sharp detail.

See BASICS Acrylics and Gel Mediums in action. The Liquitex team demonstrates how to build a textured piece from start to finish.

Liquitex BASICS are formulated with sufficient pigment to perform with quality results at an accessible price point. Made for everyday use by all kinds of artists - beginners, students, and practitioners who want professional-grade acrylic technology without the professional price tag. Every BASICS product uses lightfast fine art pigments and Liquitex's proven acrylic emulsion, archival to the same standard as the professional range.

Liquitex is a B Corp-certified brand. Since 1955.

All products available at Opus Art Supplies - in-store and online across Canada.