Stone Art

Stone Art is a paper based product from Powertex. The powdery consistency can be used to create a stone texture but it can also be mixed with Powertex Universal Medium to make an air drying clay. In structured and mixed media art it creates a fine organic texture.

Powertex stone art

What is Stone Art?

Stone Art is a light-weight, paper-based texture product. It’s also dry which means it can be used dry, wet or combined with other products. Mixed with Powertex Universal Medium it will make a textured paste or stiffer air-drying clay.  In its dry form, sprinkle, press or mix the powder onto a wet surface of Powertex or paint.

Creating textures

A variety of textures can be created from very fine to deep, sculptural elements.

Press layers of Stone Art onto wet Powertex for a faux stone effect. Brush off loose powder and then colour with Bister sprays for an organic finish.

For structured areas, pour thick, varied layers of Powertex onto a flat surface and stir Stone Art into the liquid to create a paste directly on the canvas.

A clay can be mixed with a 50/50 mixture of Powertex medium and Stone Art powder. Use this for structural elements or use in moulds to make embellishments.

Powertex on canvas with Stone Art by Kore Sage

Adding colour to the textured surface

Stone Art is very absorbent. It can be used dry on a wet surface to create texture and it will soak up fluid pigments. The art above used defined areas of Black Powertex with dry Stone Art pressed and rubbed into the surface. Dry pigments were then rubbed into the Stone Art and Powertex to create these blended areas of colour.

Bister looks great sprayed onto the white texture and can be layered with a few colours. This works well for the faux stone effect.

When dry, the stone texture can be painted with a Powertex layer before colour is applied. Try a black layer with metallic or pearl highlights dry brushed on.

Use your favourite colour products on the surface to see what you like, Bister, acrylic paint, inks or Powercolor pigments all give different effects.

Ideas for using Stone Art

For Powertex artists:

  • Press a layer of Stone Art powder into a wet Powertex surface and leave to dry. Brush off loose powder before adding the next layer.
  • Mix Stone Art with Powertex or acrylic paint for a lightly textured paint. Apply with a palette knife.
  • Create a large textured focal point in an abstract piece by mixing Powertex and Stone Art directly on the surface. Add the Stone Art in small amounts to build up the thickness and mix with a large palette knife or scraper.

For mixed media crafters:

  • Mix Stone Art 50/50 with Powertex Universal Medium to make an air drying clay. Add a little powder at a time to the liquid, mixing until you have a “dough”.
  • Use the clay in moulds, on armatures for figures or animals or to add details to mixed media art.
  • Apply Stone Art to wet Powertex-coated items for a textured finish on most surfaces.
Powertex stone art star
Textured face with Powertex by Kore Sage
Powertex goblets

Stone art projects for the Powertex Design Team

I have a basic video tutorial for creating a faux stone effect with Bister sprays.

What else do I need to know?

Stone Art is light and powdery so it’s not a good product to use in a draughty or windy space. It will blow everywhere given the chance. Check your container is shut before you get the hairdryer or heat gun on!

Keep it dry in a sealable plastic container or bag because it will absorb moisture.

Loose powder can be brushed off into a container to use later. This second hand powder often has a rougher texture.

It’s a very fine, dusty powder, so if you think that might be uncomfortable for you, wear a dust mask or try something else.

New to Powertex?

Find out more about adding texture to your Powertex art with 5 ways to add texture to your Powertex art. If you like texture you might also like Powertex Stone Art.

If you need some basic instruction to get you started with Powertex, there’s also my tutor guide to Crafting with Powertex. It’s got all the basics you need to start using this great product in your mixed media crafts.

I’m a Powertex tutor in the UK and get my supplies from Powertex UK.