Favorite Supplies Series #7: Molding Paste

When I create I only want my most favorite mediums and tools with me. Too many supply options can become distracting and a bit overwhelming at times to me (can we say decision fatigue?). I have really been enjoying putting together this monthly series highlighting a favorite go-to medium or tool each month. I hope this series is inspiring to you and your own creative journey. If you missed the first five supplies, you can find them here: 1) Graphite, 2) High Flow Acrylics, 3) Pastels, 4) Color Shapers, 5) Mark Making Tools 6) Art Journals

Today is all about molding paste (also called modeling paste), the amazing acrylic medium that is kind of like painting with frosting and used to create beautiful texture. It can be mixed right into your acrylic paints to create texture, or it can be used on its own with paint added later. It is so versatile in what you can create with it - carving into, stenciling, building layers, palette knife work, just to name a few. It has been a medium that helps me to loosen up as well because of its fast drying and thick nature. I often need to move rather quickly when working with it and if I am using a palette knife to apply, it gives less control. I often will play in my art journal with molding paste and a limited color palette just to get loose.

 There are so many tools you can use with modeling paste to create really amazing marks and texture. While I love playing with many, in my paintings I like to have soft elements which means not necessarily using a lot of harsh texture throughout the whole piece. What I love about molding paste is that using it can bring so much texture and interest to a painting while still keeping a really soft feeling. Adding molding paste in just a few areas for some final touches to a painting is one of my most favorite ways to incorporate it into a piece.

I often use molding paste in landscape skies and to add just a little extra detail to petals on floral pieces. I also enjoy using molding paste as a beginning surface to paint on because it makes a smooth porous surface. It can be so fun to pour watercolors on top and see what beautiful marks form. Most of the time I prefer to use the matte finish molding paste because it just has a really earthy grounding feel to it which I love.

There are countless ways to create with molding paste and it is definitely a fun medium to explore!

I created a video below demonstrating some of the ways to use pastels that I have mentioned above and list a few of my favorites below! I hope you enjoy seeing a little bit of the process!