Hi all!

I decided to try some crackle effects but I could not find any decent tutorial on the internet... so I decided to build one for the Community to enjoy!

You will find below the result of my weekend experiment, my recommendations, most technical details (including which products I used) and a full step-by-step gallery tutorial (in the spoiler below)
This does not have a systematic and scientific approach, but it should be enough to guide you in your own process, and still leave some space to experiment!

Last, but not least, I have a brand new Logo and Instagram account where I post about my painting projects - feel free to follow me there! https://www.instagram.com/wanoumars.art/

I hope you will enjoy the read and find it useful

<< Save space here for an upcoming X-Wing Repaint - Done >>

Here's the kind of thing you can hope to get

And some work in progress / attempts

Failed blue (too much stripping damaged the surface, didn't work well):

Failed with too thick layer (way too glossy):

Intermediary stage (Green = Love) :

Too little crackling medium (almost invisible with naked eye):

Added crackling medium on top of cracked paint (too glossy, doesn't look good with naked eye):

Results

Recommendations

OK, so now that you know how the crackle effects looks, let's get to my recommendations.

1/ Application Method (Crackle Medium)

I tried different methods (see full step-by-step gallery tutorial below), and this is the one that works best:

1) Prime

2) Apply Bottom Layer

3) Apply Gloss Varnish

4) Apply Top Layer (yes, before the Crackle Medium!)

5) Let dry for 3 hours (I didn't try longer dry times, but less dry time did not convince me)

6) Apply Crackle Medium (the thicker the layer is, the more dramatic the crackle will be)

7) Let dry (or use hairdryer) and enjoy

2/ Application Method (Lack / Paste and Texture Medium)

I only tried this method, but it showed good results systematically:

1) Prime

2) Apply Bottom Layer

3) Apply Gloss Varnish

4) Apply Lack / Paste / Texture (the thicker the layer is, the more dramatic the crackle will be)

5) Let dry (or use hairdryer) and enjoy

3/ General recommendations and comments

When working with the Crackle Medium:

1) Remember to use a Gloss Varnish Layer between the Bottom and the Top Layers of Paint

2) The Top Layer of Paint must be as thin as possible (Inks give top results!)

3) When the Crackle Medium is applied before the Top Layer of paint, it is very difficult to know when is the right time to apply to Top Layer. It's either not dry enough, or too dry (= crackled)

4) I tried to use the awesome CultureHustle BLK 3.0 paint as Top Layer, but it needs to be really thick to have good opacity, which defeats the Crackle Medium. On top of that, the Crackle Medium is Glossy, which defeats the darkness / chalkiness of the BLK 3.0 paint. Pity!

5) Mixing paint and Crackle Medium did not show good results (see bottom right cell of the board)

6) Pre-shading the Bottom Layer does not show through much

7) If you use masking tape, as usual, be mindful to keep layers thin. I ripped off a few cells when I removed the masking tape

Technical Details

Final Result:

Products used (not sponsored):

The only product which is missing here is the Gloss Varnish, by Vallejo, used to separate the two layers of paint and increase the Crackle Medium Effect.

Full step-by-step gallery tutorial

Take a sit, buckle up, and let's go!

Let me know what you think and thanks for watching!

WanouMars

47 minutes ago, WanouMars said:

Let me know what you think and thanks for watching!

I just used something called "Distress crackle paint" for my ice and lava based models from Blood Rage and was quite happy with the results.

I read the turorial on ice bases in the Reaper forum and adapted it for the lava bases with the technique described in some other forum.

3 minutes ago, Singulativ said:

I just used something called "Distress crackle paint" for my ice and lava based models from Blood Rage and was quite happy with the results.

I read the turorial on ice bases in the Reaper forum and adapted it for the lava bases with the technique described in some other forum.

That's a cool product for bases, similar the Viva Decor Crackling Color White and Citadel Texture which I tested above Thanks for pointing it out!

Just now, WanouMars said:

That's a cool product for bases, similar the Viva Decor Crackling Color White and Citadel Texture which I tested above Thanks for pointing it out!

Besided bases: What model do you want to paint with this kind of effect? The only thing I can think of right now is some kind ok blowing-hull-effect with the lava color-palette.

4 minutes ago, Singulativ said:

Besided bases: What model do you want to paint with this kind of effect? The only thing I can think of right now is some kind ok blowing-hull-effect with the lava color-palette.

I'm planning to work on three projects:

- an Hoth Imperial Squad, with snow and ice effects

- a simple TIE Advanced v1 that would combine Chameleon paints and Crackle Medium

- and maybe use it in some places as lava cracks on a CR90 to go with my Republic Squad

.. time will tell, though

Added examples in first post

So do I understand how this works correctly:

1. base color - splotches of colors to create gradient type effect, possibly applied with sponge

2. gloss layer - acts as a divider between base and top

3. top layer - black or whatever color you want cracked

4. toppest layer of crackle medium - this works by drying up the top layer and because of the gloss it doesn't affect the base layer

2 hours ago, Ghosthacked said:

So do I understand how this works correctly:

1. base color - splotches of colors to create gradient type effect, possibly applied with sponge

2. gloss layer - acts as a divider between base and top

3. top layer - black or whatever color you want cracked

4. toppest layer of crackle medium - this works by drying up the top layer and because of the gloss it doesn't affect the base layer

That is correct

What brand is the crackle medium?

Will Aardcoat work as gloss varnish?

8 hours ago, Ghosthacked said:

What brand is the crackle medium?

Will Aardcoat work as gloss varnish?

I've used Vallejo Crackling Medium (17mL bottle).

Aardcoat will work

Remember to share results if you try

will do. Got a couple ideas already.

one idea was like these guys

Then I want to do a pair of fire and ice TIEs