Applicraft : Craquelure Bases : Water Based

Applicraft Craquelure is a two part application which reproduces the delicate effect of cracked varnish. Applied to a decorated surface it will create fine web-like surface cracks within hours. The cracks are then coloured with artists oil colour e.g. raw umber which will give it an antique look.

Applicraft offers a choice of two Craquelure mediums, one for small, fine cracking and another for larger cracks. It is the base coat used that determines the size of the cracks, so select the one which is most appropriate for your project.
Craquelure is not an exact science and you will find that no tow surfaces will be exactly the same. The thickness of the base and top coats will affect the size of the cracks.

The base coat and top coat work together to create the effect. The size of the crack will be influenced by the thickness of the application.

Note: craquelure and other two-part cracking systems only work if you apply one coat in one direction, wait for it to get tacky (but don’t let it dry completely,) then apply the second coat in the opposite direction. The two coats drying then pull on each other to create the cracks.