Hello my enchanting friends! I am excited to share with you my favorite texture paste recipe of my all time. In fact, I am going to show you how to make a total of 7 DIY Texture Paste Recipes (aka molding paste or modeling paste) right at home for any of your mixed media projects.
My favorite texture paste (#1 on the list below) is very versatile. You can add texture to your art, you can paint over it, you can make the mixture thinner and paint with it, you can use it with stencils, and more. I've used it to create textured art, 3d fluid art, and mixed media art, and I absolutely love it!
*Keep in mind that some artists have better luck with some modeling paste recipes than others, therefore, if you tried one and didn't like it, then try a different one! Each one has it's pros and cons.
Ok. Let's learn how to make homemade texture paste!
#1. Texture Paste with Plaster of Paris and Joint Compound
Texture paste is one of my favorite materials for mixed media art. You can elevate your art by simply adding some texture to your canvas. But storebought texture paste can be somewhat expensive. That is why I decided to experiment with different recipes to see which one I liked best!
This one is very affordable since you can find all the ingredients in large quantities at your local hardware store. It's perfect for using with stencils to create patterns and designs. And it can be used on various surfaces such as wood, paper, cardboard, etc.
Supplies You Need to Make My Favorite Homemade Texture Paste
- 6 Tablespoons DAP DryDex Lightweight Low Dust Joint Compound
- 6 Tablespoons Gorilla wood glue
- 9 tablespoons of DAP plaster of Paris
Kneed all your ingredients together on a silicone mat. It should have a thick consistency that is thicker than toothpaste. If it's too fluid, you can add more Plaster of Paris but make sure you don't add more than 1/2 tablespoon at a time.
Simply apply this paste with a palette knife onto your painting surface and then let it air dry.
I also like adding sand or polystyrene beads to the mix to create an increased texture effect. If you want to give this a try, then make your paste a bit thinner by adding slightly less plaster of paris and then adding sand or polystyrene beads to the mixture.
Store any leftovers in an air tight container wrapped in saran wrap.
This paste can harden over time so I prefer to just make a fresh batch each time I need some and make just enough so I don't have any leftovers.
Here are other recipes that include ingredients like powdered marble, gypsum, or simpler ingredients that you might already have on hand like cornstarch, baby powder, or baking soda.
#2. Texture Paste with Baby Powder
For this recipe, all you need is school glue or Mod Podge and baby powder. In fact, the baby powder can be the cheap kind that you find at dollar stores.
This mixture has a nice smooth consistency. It does slightly shrink as it dries, however, you can definitely see and feel the texture.
INGREDIENTS:
1 part School glue
1 part Baby Powder
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Mix the school glue and baby powder together.
- Add more baby powder if you want a thicker molding paste.
Watch the following video from Creative Cat to see how she prepares the previous modeling paste recipe and each of the next 3 recipes mentioned below. See how they compare to each other.
#3. Texture Paste with Baking Soda
Even though I like other recipes better than this one, this diy modeling paste with baking soda is still a very good recipe that leaves a nicely raised texture.
The only thing I don't like about it is that it has a grainy feeling to it. But I really like that this recipe is inexpensive and uses readily available ingredients.
Plus, if that grainy texture is what you are looking for, then this is the perfect paste for you!
INGREDIENTS:
2 tsps Baking Soda
A little bit of water
A little bit of glue
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Mix the baking soda with a little bit of water until it gets moist.
- Then add enough glue until you get the desired consistency.
Watch the video above for more details about this modeling paste recipe!
#4. Plaster of Paris Texture Paste
Here's another recipe for texture paste that also uses plaster of paris. However, this one is more simple. As you can see, all you need is plaster of paris and Elmer's Glue.
FIY... this mixture dries faster than other recipes, however, it doesn't shrink when it dries, so it leaves a nicely raised texture.
INGREDIENTS:
1 part plaster of paris
1 part PVA glue or Elmer's Glue
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Mix the plaster of paris and glue together.
Check out the video above for more details on this plaster of paris recipe!
#5. Texture Paste with Cornstarch
This next recipe is also very inexpensive and can be easily done with one ingredient you probably already have in your kitchen... cornstarch.
The dimensional effects achieved by this modeling paste recipe are very similar to the one made with baby powder.
Try both and see which one you like the best!
INGREDIENTS:
1 part cornstarch
1 part glue
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Mix the cornstarch and glue together until you can't see any lumps.
This is the texture paste that I used in my mixed media art ocean project. I even added some acrylic paint to color it, but this is totally optional. In fact, I prefer to simply paint over it once it dries. This cuts down on the cost of paint and doesn't thin down the consistency of your paste.
If you'd like to see a demo using this texture paste, watch my You Tube video tutorial below.
#6. Texture Paste with Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate)
This is a more professional type of texture paste that you can make at home. Get the simple ingredients right on Amazon.
This is one of my favorite diy texture paste for canvas!
INGREDIENTS:
1 part cold water
1 part wood glue
3 parts gypsum/calcium sulfate
1 part white acrylic paint
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Mix the glue and water first until completely mixed.
- Then add the powdered gypsum (also known as calcium sulfate) slowly into the glue and water mixture while mixing until everything is completely integrated. Make sure there are no lumps.
- Add the white or black acrylic paint into your previous mixture and mix.
- Your molding paste is now ready to use!
If you want a thinner paste consistency, use 2 parts wood glue, 2 parts gypsum/calcium sulfate, and 1 part white acrylic paint
#7. Texture Paste with Powdered Marble (Calcium Carbonate)
This recipe doesn't use any glue at all. Instead, it uses artist grade materials like acrylic medium and powdered marble.
This is another one of my favorite recipes for diy texture paste for acrylic painting, even though it can be a bit more expensive!
INGREDIENTS:
1 part acrylic medium/acrylic binder
2 parts powdered marble (marble dust or marble flour) or calcium carbonate
splash of water
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Mix the acrylic medium with the powdered marble until completely integrated. Add a splash of water if needed.
- Add more water if you need a thinner paste, or add more powdered marble if you need a thick texture paste.
Watch this video to see details of this recipe.
In the video below, you can see how Petra Jongbloed modified the ratios of the previous recipe and added heat to create a crackle effect.
Suggestions for Your Homemade Texture Paste:
Here are some extra suggestions
- Homemade texture paste doesn't last as long as the store bought kind so don't make big batches. Put your leftover mixture in a tightly sealed container to preserve.
- Adjust the amount of powder (baby powder, cornstarch, plaster of paris, etc) you use in your recipes to make a thinner or thicker texture paste.
- If you want to make colored modeling paste, just add a little bit of acrylic paint to your mixture (or substitute the white acrylic paint with a colored acrylic paint in the recipe that includes white acrylic paint as part of the recipe).
- Let your applied paste dry for at least 24 hours before painting on top of the textured surface.
- Lightly sand the textured surface before your start painting on it to remove imperfections. Wear a respirator when sanding.
- Wipe your painting surface with a cloth slightly wet with denatured alcohol to remove any texture paste dust before painting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make texture paste with baking soda?
To make texture paste with baking soda, you'll need to mix equal parts of white school glue and baking soda until you achieve the desired consistency. You can adjust the thickness by adding more or less baking soda. This mixture creates a gritty texture ideal for various art projects.
Can you make texture paste with cornstarch?
Yes, you can make texture paste with cornstarch. Mix equal parts of cornstarch and water in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens. Allow it to cool before using. This paste provides a smoother texture compared to baking soda-based pastes.
How do you make textured wall art paste?
To make textured wall art paste mix equal parts of white glue and joint compound in a bowl. Add a small amount of fine sand, powdered chalk, or powdered marble for additional texture (optional). Mix these components until you achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. Apply the paste onto your chosen surface and sculpt or mold it as desired before it dries.
What is a good substitute for modeling paste?
If you don't have modeling paste on hand, you can create a similar texture using a mixture of white glue and various household items. Here are some good substitutes:
- Homemade Texture Paste: Made with equal parts white glue and baking soda or cornstarch. This mixture provides similar texture and sculpting properties to modeling paste.
- Drywall Compound: Offers a similar texture and dries hard.
- Gesso with Sand: Mix acrylic gesso with fine sand for texture. Checkout this post about how to make gesso.
- Joint Compound: Creates a thick, sculptural texture similar to modeling paste.
What is the best paste for textured art?
The best paste for textured art depends on your preferences and the desired outcome of your project. Baking soda-based paste creates a gritty texture, while cornstarch-based paste offers a smoother finish. Experiment with different formulas to find what works best for your artistic vision.
How do you make homemade wall texture?
To make homemade wall texture, mix joint compound with various additives such as sand, powdered marble, or even drywall mud to achieve the desired texture. Apply the mixture to the wall using a trowel or putty knife, and then manipulate it to create your desired texture before it dries.
Can I make my own modeling paste?
Yes, you can make your own modeling paste using a combination of white school glue and either baking soda or cornstarch. Mix these ingredients until you achieve the desired consistency, and your homemade modeling paste is ready for use.
What is the difference between modeling paste and texture paste?
The main difference between modeling paste and texture paste lies in their compositions and intended uses. Modeling paste is typically smoother and thicker, suitable for sculpting and creating three-dimensional effects in art. Texture paste, on the other hand, often contains additives like sand or grit to create rough, textured surfaces in mixed media projects.
Can I use joint compound instead of modeling paste?
Yes, you can use joint compound instead of modeling paste for certain applications. Joint compound is a versatile material often used in drywall finishing, and it can be mixed with various additives to create texture and dimension in art projects. However, joint compound may have different drying times and characteristics compared to traditional modeling paste, so it's essential to experiment and adjust your techniques accordingly.
Conclusion
I included several homemade texture paste recipes for different budgets. Hopefully one of these recipes works for you.
Now that you know how to make your own texture paste, give each one a whirl. Let me know which one you like the best!
