Post by sgtslag on Jan 4, 2016 18:54:21 GMT
I searched both YouTube, and the Internet, for recipes for making texture/modeling paste, as the Liquitex stuff sells for ~$12/8 oz. jar of the non-flexible version, and ~$18/8 oz. jar, for the flexible version. While I really like the Liquitex Flexible Modeling Paste, $18/8 oz jar, it is too expensive for my purposes, since I had already emptied my first jar, and I likely would have emptied a 2nd jar, and needed a third, or fourth, before I was done with my one project...
The homemade versions all seem to use the same ingredients: PVA White Glue, or Mod Podge, or both, mixed together; Talcum Powder (smooth finish), or Baking Soda (gritty finish); and White Acrylic Paint, or white Gesso. The ratios vary a bit, but I found one person who mixed up three different versions, all of which will prove useful for my needs: standard thickness, stiffer, holds shapes better; wetter, stickier version, which tends to self-settle, so peaks tend to flatten out, but its sticky surface will 'grab' glitter sprinkled onto it, quite well; and the third version, wherein she mixed in both pearlescent acrylic paint, as well as iridescent white glitter, to make snow-like paste.
I've mixed up two 8 oz. batches. The first was the dryer version, with accurate portions measured, which closely matched the Liquitex Paste, in nearly all respects, except it is not flexible. The second 8 oz. batch was slightly wetter (not intentionally, but the portions were not as accurately measured), and it tended to self-settle more than I wanted, but it still worked quite well. The second batch did generate some very small cracks, as it dried, but nothing I will worry about, as it actually works for the rock surfaces I am going for. The cost of the homemade pastes is around $2-$3 per 8 oz. batch, so for economy, it is a no-brainer! For a large project, it will save me around $15 ($27 before I subtract out the cost of the $12 mixer I purchased for the mixing process -- the new mixer dedicated to crafting only). Besides that, I really enjoy mixing up the paste.
If you really need "flexible" modeling paste, search the Internet for recipes. I found some using paper pulp, but I decided it was easier to just use the non-flexible paste. Cheers!
The homemade versions all seem to use the same ingredients: PVA White Glue, or Mod Podge, or both, mixed together; Talcum Powder (smooth finish), or Baking Soda (gritty finish); and White Acrylic Paint, or white Gesso. The ratios vary a bit, but I found one person who mixed up three different versions, all of which will prove useful for my needs: standard thickness, stiffer, holds shapes better; wetter, stickier version, which tends to self-settle, so peaks tend to flatten out, but its sticky surface will 'grab' glitter sprinkled onto it, quite well; and the third version, wherein she mixed in both pearlescent acrylic paint, as well as iridescent white glitter, to make snow-like paste.
I've mixed up two 8 oz. batches. The first was the dryer version, with accurate portions measured, which closely matched the Liquitex Paste, in nearly all respects, except it is not flexible. The second 8 oz. batch was slightly wetter (not intentionally, but the portions were not as accurately measured), and it tended to self-settle more than I wanted, but it still worked quite well. The second batch did generate some very small cracks, as it dried, but nothing I will worry about, as it actually works for the rock surfaces I am going for. The cost of the homemade pastes is around $2-$3 per 8 oz. batch, so for economy, it is a no-brainer! For a large project, it will save me around $15 ($27 before I subtract out the cost of the $12 mixer I purchased for the mixing process -- the new mixer dedicated to crafting only). Besides that, I really enjoy mixing up the paste.
If you really need "flexible" modeling paste, search the Internet for recipes. I found some using paper pulp, but I decided it was easier to just use the non-flexible paste. Cheers!