The Framers Forum

Cracked it!

Gesso onto material, let it go hard, crack it! Colour over the top.

Yeah, I've tried the different drying varnishes technique. You get cracks, but more like separations/gaps - a bit like broken artic ice moving apart. What I'm after is a cracked look but very small or no gaps. Tough one eh!

Here's a better image of the sample I'm trying to reproduce...

Thanks prospero. In an ideal world I'd like to apply the finish/gesso directly onto finished furniture panels and mouldings and then have it crack afterwards. Is this even possible?!? See image below of a console which must be cracked on the furniture - I can't believe they can apply this to the cur...

Hello framers I'm a cabinetmaker based in Bristol and I am struggling to replicate a 'cracked' effect finish on some timber furniture. I am trying to match a sample sent to me by the client (see attached image: sample from client). At first I thought it was a craquelure lacquer, but after experiment...