KROMA Crackle Gel

By kenraines July 28, 2020 Abstract Techniques, Abstracts, Products, Test/Sample Boards

One acrylic medium I like that isn’t made by Golden is KROMA Crackle Gel. It is a gel as opposed to Golden’s Crackle Paste which as the name says is a paste similar in consistency and appearance to Golden Light Molding Paste. It creates a different crackle pattern than Golden’s Crackle Paste (which is also a favorite of mine).

KROMA Crackle Gel mixed with joint compound over Coarse Pumice Gel (left); Golden Crackle Paste (right).

KROMA Crackle Gel and Golden Crackle Paste. Fire Island (detail), unfinished.
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Being a gel it has a thick fluid consistency that is cloudy out of the tube. It dries very white unless you tint it with acrylic paint. I normally don’t tint it, but paint over it once dried, usually with washes of Golden Fluid acrylics, which creates the appearance I prefer.

It dries very slowly compared to Crackle Paste. At least it turns completely white after several days, sometimes up to a week! I wait until it is completely white before painting over it as it has a grayish tint until then, even though it is dry to the touch. The wait time before it turns completely white is the main drawback for me. Otherwise, it creates unique cracking effects that is worth the wait.

KROMA Crackle Gel mixed with Golden Polymer Medium Gloss or Golden Clear Tar Gel (left, long cracks). How KROMA Crackle Gel looks out of the tube after drying (right). Very thin it just looks cloudy with practically invisible cracks (bottom center). Thicker applications creates larger cracks and the white pieces look like enamel when dried completely white. Or like egg shell pieces.

It can be mixed with the gels, pastes and mediums for other unique effects. I even use glue with it (Lineco ph Neutral) and joint compound.

KROMA Crackle Gel mixed with joint compound over Golden Coarse Pumice Gel.

KROMA Crackle Gel mixed with joint compound over Golden Extra Coarse Pumice Gel.

It creates various cracking effects depending on what other gels and mediums are used with it. It creates a strange texture when you use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process.