Why Does Texture Paste Crack? (And How Can You Prevent It?)

You've spent time creating your textured artwork, you're happy with how it's looking, and then you come back the next day to find cracks appearing as it dries.

SO frustrating! 😩

Cracking is one of the questions I get asked about most when it comes to textured art, especially those beautiful, thick textured flowers.

And while there are a few reasons it can happen, there are two things I'd look at first.

1. You might be using the wrong paste for your style of textured art

There are SO many different products being used for textured art, and one thing that's really important to understand is that not every paste is suited to every style.

Some products are better suited to thin applications, while others can handle much thicker textures.

For example, joint compound is a popular, budget-friendly option for textured art. It can work beautifully for thinner applications, but many joint compounds are more prone to cracking when applied in thick layers.

On the other hand, products like light modelling paste are designed to create texture while remaining lightweight. They often have a lovely light, fluffy consistency, making them a great option for thicker, more dimensional artwork.

Of course, different brands and formulations can behave differently, so it's always worth checking the product you're using.

This is why you might see someone recommend a particular paste, try it yourself and end up with a completely different result.

It doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad product. It might just not be the best option for the type of artwork you're creating!

2. Your texture paste might be drying too quickly

This is a BIG one, and something that's easy to overlook!

Even if you're using a professional art material that's suitable for thick applications, you can still end up with cracks if it dries too quickly.

When the outside of your texture paste dries faster than the paste underneath, it can form a skin while the inside is still wet.

As the paste underneath continues to dry and shrink, cracks can start to appear on the surface.

And there are quite a few things that can contribute to this.

Hot, dry weather

If you live somewhere with a hot, dry climate, your texture paste may dry much faster than it would in cooler or more humid conditions.

Fans, heaters and air conditioning

It can be tempting to speed up the drying process, especially when you're excited to finish your artwork!

But directing a fan or heater towards your painting can cause the surface to dry too quickly.

Even air conditioning can sometimes contribute, particularly if it's blowing directly onto your artwork or making the room very dry.

Open windows and breezes

Something as simple as leaving your artwork beside an open window can affect how it dries.

A constant breeze across the surface can encourage the outside to dry faster than the paste underneath.

So while it might seem like a good idea to give your artwork plenty of airflow, sometimes it's better to let it dry a little more slowly.

And remember, this can happen even when you're using professional art materials!

Choosing a suitable paste is important, but how you allow it to dry matters too.

So, what's the best way to dry textured art?

Generally, I recommend allowing your artwork to dry naturally, away from direct sunlight, strong airflow and extreme temperatures.

Try to find a spot where the temperature is fairly consistent and your artwork won't be exposed to a fan, heater or breeze.

And be patient!

Thick textured artwork can take quite a while to dry completely, even when the surface feels dry to touch.

Rushing this stage can sometimes create more problems than it solves.

What if your textured art keeps cracking?

Sometimes, even after choosing a suitable paste and being careful with drying conditions, you might still have trouble with cracks.

This can be particularly frustrating when you're creating really thick, dimensional flowers.

There are a few extra things you can try to help control the drying process.

For example, inside The Floral Class, I share some more detailed techniques I use when working with thicker textures, including ways to slow down drying using things like plastic wrap and large containers.

These methods can help manage how quickly moisture escapes from the paste, particularly when you're working in conditions that aren't ideal.

They're not a guarantee against cracking, and the approach will depend on the paste you're using, but they can make a big difference!

Want to learn more about creating thick textured flowers?

There's a lot more to textured florals than simply putting paste onto a palette knife!

Inside my online Floral Class, I walk you through the whole process, from choosing materials and learning the palette knife techniques to creating complete floral artworks.

We cover:

🌸 Texture paste options and consistency

🌸 Loading your palette knife

🌸 Creating thick, flicked petals and different flower styles

🌸 Common mistakes and troubleshooting

🌸 Drying techniques and reducing the risk of cracks

🌸 Complete start-to-finish floral artworks

The class is made for beginners, with prerecorded lessons you can watch anytime, pause and replay as often as you need.

Explore The Floral Class here 🌸

And if you're still trying to figure out which texture paste is best for your artwork, I also have a Texture Paste Guide that goes into more detail about different products, their properties and which styles they're suited to. All of that is also covered in my video courses…but the PDF guide is a great place to start if you aren’t interesting in watching video tutorials! 

I hope this helps you understand a little more about why cracks happen and what you can do to reduce the chances of them appearing in your next artwork! 

And please don’t give up…sometimes a few little tweaks is all you need for your textured art to dry crack free!

Ellen x