Creative Paint Workshop for Mixed-Media Artists

Writing into Acrylic Glazes with Rubber Shapers

Rubber shapers also make excellent writing implements.
pushing away wet paint from one layer to reveal the
painted layer below. Their tips come in a variety of shapes
and sizes.

Materials

matte medium

soft nylon brush

fluid acrylics (one dark and one light)

rubber shaper

1

Cover your support with a

clear layer of matte medium.

This seals the surface and

helps the shaper to glide over^2

Apply a layer of fluid acrylic

in a darkish color (such as

Paynes Gray). Allow to dry

thoroughly.^3

Apply a layer of a light color

(such as Titan Buff or Titanium

White). While the paint is still

wet. write into it with a rubber

shaper. The tip will push away the wet

paint to reveal the layer below.

it more easily.

You could instead reverse the colors. starting with a light
color and covering with a dark one. Or try a multicolored
bottom layer for a less predictable result.

84 I CREATIVE PA I N T WO RKSHOP

~Oid adding water to your acrylic paint when

writing with rubber shapers. Water reduces

the viscosity of the paint, so it tends to run

back into the letters as you create them.

~

"