1. Canvas background painting

-    Use Titanium White and Burnt Umber to mix a warm beige

-    Using a brush and a little water, paint the central area of the canvas where your palm tree will go

-    You can paint the whole canvas if you’d prefer, but one coat is fine

-    This base colour will peek through when you scrape back the texture paste layers later on!

-    Let dry completely before moving on

3. DIY texture paste

-    Combine equal parts Modelling Paste and Light Moulding Paste using a palette knife

-    Add a small amount of Titanium White acrylic paint to the mix to brighten and smooth the paste

4. Apply the paste

-    Spread the paste evenly across the canvas (about 1–2mm thick)

-    You can use a palette knife or your hands (gloves optional)

-    Create the background texture by gently pressing and lifting your palette knife or gloved hand

-    It should create a somewhat spiky surface like rendered concrete

5. Painting an arch

-    Use a clean palette knife to carve out an arch shape

-    Press just hard enough to smooth, not scrape away, the paste

-    Texture paste is very forgiving so you can always re-texture the background and smooth it again!

-    Once you’re happy with the shape of your arch, create some textured strokes for the palm tree background

6. Palm tree drawing

-    Use the tip of a pointed palette knife to scrape out the palm tree trunk in criss-cross strokes

-    Push lightly to reveal the beige base underneath

-    Clean your knife between every few strokes with a tissue

7. Add the palm fronds

-    Use point of the knife to sketch out a guide for your frond placement

-    Then, use the palette knife to carve out palm leaves in a fanned shapes along your guide lines

-    Work from the centre outward, matching the curve and angle of each frond

8. Let it dry & seal

-    Allow your artwork to dry for at least 24 hours before sealing

-    Apply a layer of Acrylic Medium Matte to protect the surface so it lasts longer!

-    Use a brush to coat the entire piece evenly, including all the textured areas

Step back and admire your handiwork – well done! Hang your texture art on the wall or gift it to a loved one.