Old paintings change colors due to exposure to dust, light or dampness.
Canvas paintings show signs of aging due to the exposure to light, dust or moisture. The colors become darker on aged paintings and crackling can occur. Artists use various aging techniques to obtain certain visual effects or when creating a replica. If you want to make a painting look older, you have several faux painting techniques you can use. The technique you use may depend on the type of paints on the canvas, the texture of the painting and the materials that you have available.
Aging Paint with Natural Pigments
The colors in a painting darken with aging. You can obtain similar effects if you apply a thin, semi-transparent layer of solution that you prepare using natural pigments. Mix ocher or sienna with water for acrylic paintings. Use oil instead of water in the mix if you are treating oil paints. Test the color on a small area of the painting and see if you need to darken or lighten the solution. Apply this solution on the canvas and allow to dry. To obtain a patina effect, rub the painting with a sponge when it is partially dry.
Crackling Paint
Use the faux crackling painting technique if the surface of the painting is smooth. Textured paintings cannot be treated with this technique. Buy a crackling medium that is suitable for your painting. If you have an acrylic painting, you need a medium for acrylic paints. Treat an oil painting with a different type of crackling medium.
Alternatively, use white latex, which can be used both on acrylic and oil paintings. Apply heat after you apply the latex or crackling medium on the painting. Prepare a semi-transparent solution using sienna or ocher pigments mixed with water. Apply this solution on the painting and ensure that the color gets in the cracks. Cover the painting with a matte or shiny varnish.
Staining with Tea or Coffee
Washing the finished painting with black tea or coffee can darken the colors and result in an aging effect on your painting. Use a sponge that is dampened by coffee or tea and apply it on your painting. Use a wet tea leaf to obtain a patina. This technique may be used alone or combined with the crackling technique.
Rubbing with Sandpaper or Steel Wool
Rubbing your painting with sandpaper or steel wool may facilitate the aging of the piece and change its color faster. This technique also uncovers underlying layers of paint to create a patina, which gives the painting an antique look. Test the sandpaper on a small portion of the painting and change the grit if needed.
