HOW TO: Max Ernst Texture with Plastic Wrap

Ever wonder how Max Ernst achieved the texture in some of his paintings? Lynette Bettini gives a demo of Decalcomania which was used by a pioneer of the Dada movement and Surrealism, Max Ernst. The technique of Decalcomania involves pressing paint between two surfaces. In this demo it's oil paint between canvas and plastic wrap.

Websites Referenced:
http://www.bettiniart.com
http://www.artistchronicle.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• max
• ernst
• decalcomania
• technique
• demo
• how
• to
• oil
• paint
• artist
• chronicle
• artistchronicle

[artistchronicle]

Yes, Fr, I agree and thanks to Lynette for sharing. And, Shadows, in my bit of research I noticed that decalcomania is used with gouache (and of course oils), but I'm not sure about acrylics. Give it a try and let us know! Just work really fast! :)

[terrapin52]

nice cleavage.

[artwithterryann]

I use the plastic wrap technique for my intuitive paintings ... it does work with acrylics ... drop by my channel if you'd like to see some of my examples. The plastic wrap technique is really fun ... makes a painting feel like child's play.

[shadowsonthehills]

This looks great. I've been thinking about doing some abstract paintings and have always wondered how artists utilized the plastic wrap. This is good stuff. Thanks. Could this be done with thin-down acrylics too? I assume it's going to dry really fast, but I'm truly curious.

[FrFrankiejr]

Wonderful technique! Thanks for sharing it. I can't wait to try it.