If you’re wondering how to paint with texture paint, so your artwork feels alive and dimensional, you’ve landed in the right place. Here I’ll walk through techniques that take a flat canvas into something you want to touch, not just look at.

Key Takeaways

• Texture in painting adds depth, light play and tactile interest.
• Using texture mediums like gel or modelling paste lets you build layers and sculpt surfaces.
• Tools such as palette knives, dry brushes, found objects help you create varied effects.
• Your decor context matters: A single piece of abstract textured wall art can anchor a room, reflect nature-inspired style and fit a neutral palette.
• You can apply these techniques both for creating your own art and choosing textured wall pieces for your home.

What is textured painting, and why try it?

Texture painting means creating raised surfaces, ridges, layers, or mixed media elements in your artwork so the eye and hand move across the work, instead of it just sitting flat. For someone like me (with an architecture/design background), I love how texture draws light, shadow, and invites the viewer in.

Why try it? In interior design, a ready‑made textured wall art piece becomes more than decoration-it becomes a tactile, physical element in space. It picks up neutral colors, soft materials, the feel of nature.

• Adds depth and dimension that light can play with, enhancing realism or dramatic effect.
• Guides the viewer’s eye across the canvas through contrast and rhythm.
• Expresses emotion and energy more vividly than smooth surfaces often can.

Learning how to paint textures gives your work a unique fingerprint. It’s a chance to combine color, movement, and material into something distinctly your own.

Once you know how to paint with texture paint, it’s easier to choose or create textured wall art that fits your home.

How to choose your materials & tools for texture painting?

Before diving into texturing techniques, it helps to know your toolkit. Texture painting doesn’t demand expensive gear – just the right materials and a bit of experimentation. Here’s what you’ll want to assemble:

Paint Types

• Acrylic paint dries quickly and remains flexible, so it’s perfect for beginners experimenting with texture mediums.
• By comparison, oil paint is thick and slow-drying, making it especially well-suited for impasto and subtle blending techniques.
• For even more versatility, gouache or mixed media can be used effectively with added mediums to explore different surfaces

Texture Tools

• Palette knives: For sculpting, layering, and scraping. They create dynamic ridges and expressive marks.
• Brushes: Stiff bristle brushes are great for scrubbing texture into the surface.
• Sponges, rags, combs, or even credit cards: Everyday objects can create surprising effects.
• Texture paste or modeling paste: Builds height and structure beneath your paint.

Surfaces
Canvas is the classic choice, but you can also texture on wood panels, paper, or fabric – anything that can handle the weight of layered material.

Tip: Choose a neutral palette (greys, soft whites, warm beiges, muted greens) so the texture becomes the hero rather than bold color. Thin walls, calm surfaces, natural feel.

Types of Texture Mediums

To understand how to create texture in art, it’s worth exploring the mediums that give your paint body. These are the secret ingredients behind most textured artworks.

1 – Modeling Paste

A thick, white paste that dries hard and can be sculpted or sanded. Perfect for heavy texture or relief work.

2 – Gel Mediums (Gloss, Matte, or Heavy)

These change the viscosity of your paint. A heavy gel creates impasto-like peaks; a soft gel smooths transitions without losing depth.

3 – Sand or Grit Additives

Mixed into acrylic or oil, they give your surface a rough, tactile finish. Ideal for landscapes, stone, or abstract texture.

4 – Fiber Paste

Adds a paper-like texture – great for mixed-media and collage-based textures.

5 – Natural Materials

Some artists incorporate sawdust, fabric, or even dried leaves into the base layer. This not only adds texture but a narrative element to the piece.

Understanding these mediums allows you to approach texture painting not just as an effect, but as a form of construction – a layering process where every choice contributes to the final atmosphere.

Read: Texture Painting on Canvas for Beginners

What is Cling Film, Masking Tape and How use Textured Tools?

How to Paint with Texture Paint

Texture paint is a versatile medium that allows artists to add depth and dimension to their artwork. Therefore, in this guide, we will explore the use of cling film, masking tape, and textured tools in order to create a stunning textured finish on your canvas.

What is Cling Film and Masking Tape?

Cling film is a plastic wrap that can be used to manipulate paint effects. Meanwhile, masking tape is essential for creating clean lines and protecting areas of your canvas from unwanted texture. Together, these tools help control where the texture on the canvas is applied.

Using Textured Tools

To create a textured surface, you can use a variety of tools such as a palette knife, putty knife, or even a paint brush. Each tool offers a different way to add texture to your artwork.

How to use everyday tools to create layered texture?

Experiment with different texture techniques, such as swirling the paint or applying a glaze over the textured areas. These creative ways to add texture will help you achieve the desired effect for your  abstract wall art.

Process:

• Paint a base layer.
• While still wet, apply second layer + cling film or tape.
• Lift film/tape when set but still pliable.
• You’ll see wrinkles, patterns, creases.

What is impasto, and how do you use it?

What does “impasto” mean, and how can you include it in your textured art? Impasto is a textured painting technique where paint is applied so thickly that the strokes are visible, and the surface stands out. How to use it:

• Use heavy-body acrylic or oil paint.
• Load your palette knife or brush with a thick blob of paint.
• Apply it to your canvas/panel with bold strokes, so you can see ridges and peaks.
• You might later glaze over or highlight the ridges so they become a part of the piece’s story.

Why it works for wall art: The texture catches light. In a softly lit room, the ridges create subtle shadows, which give the piece extra presence and depth. 

How to use a palette knife to create texture?

 Why use a palette knife instead of a brush for texture painting? A palette knife gives you control over thickness, edge, scraping, layering. The flat tool lets you spread, scrape back, build peaks.

Steps:

1. Choose a straight or slightly angled palette knife.
   
2. Load it with paint or paint mixed with gel medium.
   
3. Apply by pressing the flat side to spread, the edge to draw lines.
   
4. To scrape back: drag the edge through wet paint to reveal color underneath (this creates “reveal” texture).
   

Let layers dry, then add another layer and do the same.

In decor use: If you create a piece using palette knife texture, you’ll want to keep the color scheme simple, so the texture reads well in a living room or bedroom. A neutral canvas with textural strokes in off-white, sand, light gray works beautifully.

How to use dry brushing and underpainting to build subtle texture?

What are dry brushing and underpainting, and how do they help texture painting?

Underpainting: painting a base layer (often in a contrasting color) to set value and mood. Example: burnt sienna under cool blues/greens gives vibration.

Dry brushing: using a brush with very little paint (and often a stiff brush) to lightly drag across surface, so brush ridges catch the high points. Example described in Mont Marte blog.

How to do it:

1. Underpaint your canvas with a wash or opaque color.
   
2. When dry, switch to a stiff brush, remove excess paint, lightly skim the surface to let the texture of the substrate show.
   

Use this for subtle texture effects: rough tree bark, wispy grass, or fabric-like surfaces.

Interior-design angle: This technique works great for pieces that sit above a sofa or fireplace where you don’t want heavy peaks but still want tactility. The texture is gentle and the surface catches light softly.

How to add texture with mixed media, sand, fabric & found objects?

Can you use non-traditional materials to build texture in painting? Yes. Adding sand, fabric, paper, string, found objects gives a surface that invites touch and visual interest. For example, you can sprinkle sand into your paint or use fabric pieces under a layer of paint.

How to apply:

• Mix sand or fine grit into your paint or medium and apply.
• Or glue fabric strips then paint over.

Think of nature-inspired textures: driftwood fragments, rope, leaves embedded in modelling paste.

A nature canvas wall art can be a perfect choice if you love nature-inspired pieces.

How to apply scraping, sgraffito and other reveal techniques?

What are scraping, sgraffito and how do they create texture?

• Sgraffito: scratching into a wet layer to reveal the layer underneath.
• Scraping: using a tool like a comb, credit card, or plastic scraper to remove or manipulate paint layers. Example: technique for “scraping” in acrylic texture article.

How to do it:

1. Apply a thick layer of paint or colored ground.
   
2. Before it dries, drag a tool through to reveal underlying color or texture.
   
3. You can also stand a dried layer for subtle reveal.

Interior use: Works well when you want the textured art piece to carry both surface presence and depth without being heavy. A scraped textured layer in a soft gray-white piece can add complexity while staying calm and minimal.

How to incorporate texture painting in wall art for interiors?

How do you take these studio techniques and apply them to wall canvas art pieces that live in a home setting?

• Scale: Wall canvas art needs to work from a distance (viewing from a sofa) and up close (touchable texture). Choose textures that read well at both ranges.
• Colour‐palette: keep colours understated. Let texture do the work rather than bold colour.
• Surface interaction: Texture catches light differently; consider how sunlight or artificial light will hit the piece. Textured ridges will cast small shadows.
• Materials durability: For art that hangs, ensure the substrate is rigid, the texture medium is dry and sealed (especially if sand, fabric, or found objects are used).

Step-by-step guide: Create a textured wall art piece from start to finish

FIRST PART

Here’s a process you can follow (or share with a frind or family). You don’t need to do all techniques – pick two or three and create a cohesive piece.

Let’s put it all together. You’ll need:

• Canvas or wood panel
• Acrylic paint
• Modeling paste
• Palette knife
• Brush
• Optional: sand, fabric, or paper for added texture

Step 1: Plan your piece

Use a heavy canvas or wood panel. Prime with gesso if needed. (Good surface gives better texture response.)

• Choose size and substrate (canvas or wood panel).
• Decide your colour palette (e.g., soft sand beige, off-white, muted sage).
• Sketch rough composition: where textured elements will live (centre, corners, full surface).

Step 2: Prepare your surface

Sketch lightly. Think of nature elements you love – e.g., branch silhouettes, leaves, soft waves of sand. Then decide which areas will have heavier texture and which will be smoother. Apply a thin layer of modeling paste using a palette knife. Create peaks, ridges, or sweeping movements. Let it dry partially.

Step 3:  Add your base color

Once the surface is tacky, brush on your primary color. The paint will cling to the ridges differently, revealing texture naturally.

Step 4: Build structure with modelling paste or gel medium

Mix in sand or coarse beads for texture in “earth” zones (Technique: adding dry mediums).

Add secondary colors or glazes over dry sections to highlight raised areas. Mix in gel medium for thicker passages.

• Use a palette knife to apply modelling paste in key zones (for example organic leaf forms, ridges, high points).
• While still workable, embed sand or fabric if you’ll use mixed media.

SECOND PART

Step 5: Enhance details

Once paste sets somewhat, apply additional paint layers. Use palette knife to apply further colour, scrape back some areas (Sgraffito), dry brush highlight edges (Dry Brush).

• Over wet sections, apply cling film, let set and remove for organic pattern (Cling film technique).
• Use a stick or fork to drag through still-wet paint in some zones, creating organic lines and texture (Mark-making technique).
• In softer or background zones, apply diluted colour layers (Glaze technique) to give depth without heavy relief.

Step 6: Apply main colour layer

• Load your heavy body acrylic paint and apply with palette knife or brush. Use palette knife for thick texture and ridgess

Step 7: Add secondary texture

Step 8: Let it settle & refine

Step 9: Seal (optional if the work needed) and finish

• Depending on materials used (sand or fabric), you may want to apply a clear matte varnish to fix everything.

Step 10: Fine-tune lighting/relief

Use angled light when photographing. You might emphasize peaks with a metallic glaze or light highlight to catch the eye (Light + texture interplay).

Step 11: Hang and light it with your decor in mind

This project introduces the tactile rhythm of texture painting – the dance between control and spontaneity that defines this art form.

Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Even experienced painters run into challenges with texture. Here are a few common missteps and simple ways to correct them:

1. Too much medium or paste → can crack as it dries.
   ✅ Fix: Apply in thinner layers, allowing each to dry before the next.
   
2. Uneven drying or lifting paint
   ✅ Fix: Use a flexible ground and avoid overworking wet layers.
   
3. Texture overpowering color
   ✅ Fix: Use glazes or washes to unify the tone and balance visual depth.
   
4. Ignoring light direction
   ✅ Fix: Always check your work under different lighting angles.
   

Remember – texture should enhance your story, not distract from it. Subtlety often speaks louder than excess.

These texturing techniques produce organic, unpredictable texture-perfect for handmade decorative wall art that doesn’t look mass produced.

Frequently asked questions about painting textures

Q: Can I use oil paint instead of acrylic for texture painting?
Yes. Oil paint works and is historically used for techniques like impasto and sgraffito. Just note oils dry slower and you’ll need to wait between layers.

Q: Do I need a canvas or panel for texture?
A rigid panel is better if you’re using heavy layers (modelling paste, sand) to avoid warping. A stretched canvas works for lighter texture.

Q: Will the texture show up when I hang the piece far away?
Yes-but you may need more pronounced ridges or larger texture scale if viewers view from several feet. In décor applications, test the piece in its hanging space.

Q: How do I clean textured wall art?
Use a soft duster or gentle wipe (if finish allows). Avoid pressing into the ridges.

Q: How do I pick textured art if I’m buying rather than making?
Look at surface close-up photos. Ask what technique was used (e.g., palette knife, mixed media, sand). Choose textures that complement your space: soft and subtle rather than aggressive in minimal settings, more pronounced in industrial or eclectic design settings.

Next steps & where to go from here

Now that you’ve learned the basics and favorite techniques of textured painting, it’s time to dive into experimentation. Start small – pick one or two methods that excite you the most, whether it’s working with a palette knife or layering mediums, and try them on a test canvas.

Pay attention to how light interacts with each texture and how your brushstrokes feel as they build. As you grow more confident, push yourself to combine techniques and create your own. Texture painting is about exploration rather than perfection – each surface offers a new lesson. So keep experimenting, trust your instincts, and let the art of touch guide your creative journey.

If you feel inspired by these texture techniques, consider trying one yourself or exploring ready-made textured wall art that showcases these methods. On our site My Home Art & Decor, we feature a textured wall art collection designed for nature-inspired, organic interiors. Use these ideas to select a piece that complements your space.

For any questions about technique or custom orders, don’t hesitate to reach out through our contact page.

Final Thoughts: Why Texture Matters

Learning how to paint with texture paint isn’t about perfection – it’s about feeling. Indeed, each raised surface tells a story: stone, bark, ripple, or breeze. These imperfect marks remind us of the natural world and, above all, bring warmth to our spaces.

At its heart, textured painting is about sensation – the feeling of pushing paint, of seeing light dance across a surface you built with your own hands. Not only that, but every groove, every uneven edge carries part of your creative fingerprint. Consequently, by using texture paint, you can add depth and dimension to your artwork, thereby creating a unique experience that draws viewers in and invites them to explore every part of the textured surface.

It invites you to slow down, to connect with the physical act of making art. Texture teaches patience, presence, and the beauty of imperfection. So the next time you approach a blank canvas, think not just of color – but of touch. Ask yourself: What do I want this painting to feel like?

Because in the end, the art of touch is what transforms a painting from something you look at… into something you truly feel. Accordingly, to create texture, consider using a variety of tools – for example, a palette knife or a brush to apply different layers of paint, each with its own unique texture effects.

So clear your workspace, grab your tools, and simply start small. Push the paint around, and see how it moves. As you go, you’ll discover your own texturing techniques – for example, adding sand or flour to your paint to create a heavy texture, or using a putty knife to apply a thick layer of texture paste. Moreover, experimenting with different mediums like acrylic and oil paint can also yield fascinating results. Finally, with plenty of paint on your brush or knife, you can create a textured finish that feels completely your own.