Craquelure (from the French word "craquelure") refers to cracks in a layer of paint or varnish on a painting. Artificial aging of the surface of interior items, which is also called “craquelure,” has become very popular in modern design. Workshops on creating various products having a unique charm of antiquity are quite expensive. Knowing the basics of the technique of such a decor, any person can independently create unique interior items.
How can I get craquelure?
Master classes by beginning interior designers most often use special varnishes to create “aged” things. They are called craquelure. To emphasize and highlight the cracks formed on the surface of the subject, mascara,
oil paints or pastels are specially rubbed into varnishes. A remarkable effect is given by formulations intended for patination.
The craquelure technique, in spite of all new compositions, still cannot compete with natural cracks in works of art. That is why specialists can easily distinguish the original of an antique object from a fake.
Tools and materials for applying craquelure
Almost any surface can be applied craquelure. Workshops on varnishing glass, wood, ceramics, metal or paper, despite some similarities, still have certain differences. That is why for each of these types of materials the most suitable technique for performing this design should be applied.
To apply this decorative coating, you will need the following tools and special compositions:
• synthetic brush;
• hair dryer for drying the product;
• primer;
• acrylic paints (preferably in contrasting tones);
• one-component craquelure and finish varnishes.
In the absence of expensive formulations, you can use available materials at hand: egg whites, PVA glue, table vinegar, washing gel, gelatin. There are several ways to apply craquelure varnishes to various surfaces. Below are the most popular ones.
Single phase craquelure
The most popular is the one-step craquelure. Workshops on creating this simple coating, also called single-phase, are the most popular. It is used to create a surface with spectacular contrasting cracks. To do this, you need a one-component craquelure and acrylic finish varnishes, hair dryer.
A primer is applied to the thoroughly cleaned surface of the item (selected depending on the material from which the item is made). A hair dryer is used to speed up the drying process. Acrylic paint is applied to the dried primer. It will be sheared through in the resulting cracks. After it dries, craquelure varnish is evenly applied on top. It should be remembered that the thicker its layer, the larger the resulting cracks. When the varnish dries a little and will not stick to the fingers (without losing its stickiness), the main (second) acrylic paint is applied to it. After about 10 minutes, cracks will begin to appear on the surface of the item.
Dry paint is carefully coated with a topcoat. This coating is called “one-step craquelure”. A master class of decorating in this technique can be repeated even by a person who is far from design and art. This decoration method is great for decorating porcelain and wooden interior items, caskets, photo frames. By perfecting your skills in this technique, you can create unique products.
Decoupage. Craquelure (master class)
No less popular is another technique for applying such coatings, called decoupage. Its essence lies in the fact that various pictures cut from napkins are glued onto the craquelure mesh of cracks. Some specialists perform decoupage in the reverse order. In this case, the craquelure is already applied to the pictures pasted onto the surface of the object.
Work requires the product itself, two-tone water-based paint , PVA glue, cut and selected patterns, acrylic varnish, art brushes, and a hairdryer.
Steps for performing a craquelure using decoupage technique
• Cleaning and degreasing the surface of the item with alcohol.
• Application of a uniform layer of water-based paint on the surface with an art brush. Dry until completely dry.
• Application of PVA glue to the surface by brush movements from top to bottom or from left to right.
• After drying, contrast (second) paint is applied. Brush movements should be the same as when applying glue.
• Without waiting for the paint to dry, a stream of hot air from the hair dryer is sent to the surface of the item. Under its influence, the coating will begin to crack. The longer the product dries, the coarser and deeper the cracks will be.
• The item is decorated with napkins with glue. The dried product is covered with several layers of acrylic colorless varnish.
Such craquelure looks good on dishes, flower pots, vases, trays.
Two-step craquelure
Master classes on this technique are slightly more complicated than the previous ones. For work, you will need acrylic varnish, art brushes, gum arabic (a viscous liquid hardening in the air), shellac
(natural resin), bitumen, gold or silver powder. Application of craquelure consists of the following steps:
• The cleaned surface of the item is covered with 2 layers of acrylic varnish. After it dries, shellac is applied abundantly on it. The thicker it is, the larger and coarser the cracks will be. To obtain a barely noticeable openwork mesh, a thin layer of shellac will suffice. When applying this substance, possible smudges should be avoided, since this error is almost impossible to fix.
• When the shellac surface dries slightly, but is still sticky, gum arabic (the consistency of liquid sour cream) is applied on top of it with a thick layer. With light movements of the fingertips, this substance is rubbed over the entire surface. After about 3 minutes, gum arabic will stick to your hands. At this time, the "massage" movement must be stopped.
• When gum arabic dries, cracks will form on the surface. To emphasize them, bitumen is rubbed into them. Then, golden or silver powder is applied along the cracks.
• The finished product is varnished.
Craquelure on glass objects
Various glass products decorated in this technique look very impressive. The whole process of working with this material is practically no different from the above methods. However, most needlewomen prefer to use single-phase craquelure on glass.
To work, you will need the item itself, acrylic paint of 2 contrasting colors, varnish, synthetic art brush, craquelure varnish. The glass surface on which the decor will be applied is degreased with alcohol. Then it is primed with acrylic varnish. After it dries, paint of one tone is applied (it will be visible in cracks). After that, craquelure varnish is applied to the surface. When it dries a little, but still does not lose its stickiness, the product is coated with the main (second) acrylic paint. After cracks appear and the composition dries, varnish is applied to the surface.
Craquelure on a wooden surface
This decor technique is most often used to decorate old furniture, which can become a highlight of the interior. In this case, you can use both one- and two-step craquelure. A workshop on wood is practically no different from the above surface treatment techniques. The main conditions for the successful decoration of furniture and other items using the technique of craquelure is their thorough cleaning of old paintwork and puttying damage.
Features of applying craquelure
Like any type of design, this one also has a few secrets that can make work easier. The craquelure technique that every person can master allows you to complete the job quickly and without flaws. To do this, remember the following techniques:
• The brush should only be synthetic.
• After the craquelure varnish dries, the cracks are often overwritten with “silver”, “gold powder”, and dark-colored oil paint. After that, the remnants of these products are removed from the surface with vegetable oil and wiped dry. The processed product is coated with acrylic varnish. This technique allows you to turn even a simple object into a work of art.
• Do not shake the varnish before application so that no bubbles form. The work area must be dust free and thoroughly ventilated.
• Cracks on the surface have the same direction as the movement of the brush. To obtain the so-called craquelure mesh, use a sponge or make very small strokes.