Create a Powertex art background with Ivory Powertex and Bister
Powertex products are versatile for creating textured, mixed media art. Use Bister with Ivory Powertex Universal Medium as a background to add a hint of colour and texture then add heavy textured layers. This piece is a finished example of Powertex art that started off in this way.
Why use Powertex and Bister?
Powertex is a versatile medium that can be used for many effects and makes a hard wearing surface to work on with heavy layers.
Bister pigments are muted inks to paint, spray and mix into wet Powertex for a tinted background and create background textures such as crackle and fine splashes. They are also available in granule form.
Create a background with Bister
Here’s a glimpse of an Ivory Powertex and Bister background layer. (This time-lapse video has no sound.) I’m working on heavy watercolour paper taped to my table.
- Paint a thin layer of Ivory Powertex over the paper.
- Then pour a small puddle of Powertex where you would like your focal point to be.
- Move this around with your paintbrush where you want it, keep some areas heavier than others.
- Spray a small amount of Bister onto the background layer and blend in with a flat paintbrush.
- I add a little water spray to make this easier.
- Apply generous sprays of Bister onto the heavier Powertex.
- Heat this area gently until the Bister starts to crack, I use a heat tool on low but a hairdryer works well on low.
- Paint on a little pure Ivory Powertex onto parts of the background to add variety.
Tips for Powertex and Bister
Use the Powertex to create texture and colour effects. Layer up with more Bister, Powertex and Rusty Powder for textured and structured art.
The Bister in the background layer can be reactivated by wet media and is not permanent. However, letting the inks bleed into the upper layers can be interesting and create harmony throughout the art.
Heat the Bister on wet Powertex to create the crackle effect although I would recommend using a hairdryer rather than a heat tool if you can. High heat can blister the Powertex and dry the surface too fast.
Add in mixed media
Build up layers using different media with your Powertex medium. Use natural materials, dry textures, Bister granules, Powercolor pigments or even fabric to create an interesting surface.
Powertex medium works best with natural materials but the possibilities are endless.
Find out more about Powertex Bister
If you are interested in using Bister in your Powertex art, take a look at the free guides for some basics on Bister or head to the Etsy shop for more in depth ebook instruction.
I also have an article on creating a Bister art series.
I’m a Powertex tutor in the UK and get my supplies from Powertex UK.
[Updated October 2023]
