How To: Modelling Paste VS Plaster

Modelling Paste & Plaster are two products used to create texture on the canvas. What's the difference? Are there advantages to using one as opposed to the other?

What is Crack Shot by DAP?

Crack Shot is a plaster-like substance made by DAP which can be purchased at most hardware stores. It was created for filling holes in your walls. Not for using on a canvas.

What are the advantages of using Crack Shot?

(Can we just go ahead and call this product DAP? I don't like referring to it by "Crack Shot")

Think of DAP as an extremely cheap alternative to Modelling (aka Molding) Paste. Both of these products can be used to create texture on your canvas but where a bottle of Modelling Paste will cost you plenty, a large container of DAP will cost you around $7.

Because I work on such large canvasses (and so many of them) I am constantly looking for cost effective ways to create texture. DAP is a wonderful alternative.

But there is a catch:

DAP was meant to be applied on a hard surface (walls) so when you put it on a flexible surface like a canvas, DAP cracks. 

As shown in the picture above, I am mixing 1 part DAP to 1 part Gloss Varnish (acrylic gel can also be used) as a way of making the mixture more "flexible". Doing this will make the mixture less prone to cracking and it will ensure that the mixture will adhere to the canvas without any danger of falling off in the future.

Mix DAP/Varnish mixture thoroughly before application.

Add paint to the mixture for added flexibility. 

Using either a palette knife or your trusty roller, mix everything together. 

TIP: Keep in mind that by adding wet DAP to paint will be like adding titanium white to your mixture. This means that the colours will be greatly affected. Had I used red instead of Burnt Sienna for example, the whole think would have turned pink.

After the mixture has been mixed to my liking, I spread the mixture on the canvas leaving areas of light and dark concentrations.

I did not add white to the mixture. The white areas appear because I left some parts of the mixture unmixed, so the DAP appears in larger concentration in some areas and not others. Capiche?

Once my canvas is dry, you can see that cracking has still occurred. (DAP is not meant for the canvas remember?) Never fear. Cracking is not a bad thing. We just need to make sure that it won't fall off the canvas. 

If you would like to experiment with your DAP/Varnish ratios (I used 50-50) so that there will be absolutely no cracking, you're welcome to do so.

Finally, I add an even coat of varnish to the dry canvas, making sure that the varnish works it's way into all of the peaks and valleys. This I do to further insure that everything will remain intact.

Don't want to mess around with products that weren't meant for the canvas? Stick to what the painting company has created for you. The choice is yours.

Will you try this? Have you tried this? Which one do you prefer? 

Share your thoughts with us! Pretty please?