painting or carving help

[john c]

Any suggestions for carving or painting to simulate a concrete surface such as a sidewalk

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Its a matter of layering the paint in different base colors and doing so in a "dry brush" manner......

[Blinky Bill]

Hi John,
I use "DecoArt Sandstones" which according to the label is a "Stonelike Textural Acrylic" it further reads....."Decoart, Stanford, KY 40484
A Division of Ceramichrome Inc" and gives the following web address.
DecoArt - Always the Best I'm in Australia and have had my jar for quite a while, but have just checked the website and it's still active, so good luck, and I hope this helps.
John

[mark yundt]

I don't know what scale you are working towards. One method I have used to create a "rough" texture was to use something along the lines of Gesso ,,as it dries you can stipple it to get the texture and then use paints as Hi HO suggests to get the color right.
I have also used the sprays of textured stone finishes probably similar to what John spoke about. The colors might be off but it'll give you the texture close to coarse granite.
Even dry brushing technique with heavy paints will to some extent as they dry out could work as well.Similar to a base of drywall compound,,stipple that as well and you'll end up with that texture as well.
There are a number of ways to accomplish this.

[Mottles]

Hi john, agree with the recommendations of the other posters. Have you done any painting at all and if so what type of paint acrylic, oil do you have on hand? You can simulate concrete using different shades and values of gray and white. Even show the pitting that you see in concrete using a dark and light mixture.
Let us know a little more about your project then we can help you better.
Kathy

[rales]

In the sign trade - we use a lot of high density urethane (HDU) - which is a dense closed cell foam. It has no grain - carves like butter - and can be used to simulate almost any surface. This has pretty much taken the place of Redwood for high end custom exterior signage - it won't rot and is very dimensionally stable. You might try a local sign company to see if they can sell or maybe even let you try some. SignFoam is one of the leading trade names to ask for. HDU The original Sign Foam*Sign Foam (they will send you a sample kit)

No, it's not wood - but it is amazing stuff to use - and very creative signage is still affordable because of this stuff - the good old redwood is just too expensive or not available at all - and that's good thing for the big ones that are left!

Attached are some pics of a "stone" Celtic cross I did for a church made of HDU. The stone effect was done by distressing the primed foam with a wire brush - just banging away.... The grittier you want the surface - the less you prime (and you don't need to prime at all). The cross was finished in acrylic glazes. Final size of the cross was 6' x 2.4' ... you really can't tell, even up close, that it's not stone...

peace , rales

[john c]

Thanks to all. I'll be trying all the suggestions to see which one I like best or which one I'm better at. Thanks Again