Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Mediums produces a Black Lava Texture Gel that is a gritty gel medium that can be used to add a textured surface to acrylic paintings.

The W&N website describes Black Lava Texture Gel as:

“A granular paste containing fine particles of black flint allowing the artist to achieve a heavier and more pronounced effect than can be achieved with Mineral Texture Gel.”

This confused me since in the USA, the word ‘flint’ generally describes a much heavier type of rocks, the sort that Native American used as arrowheads.  I am not a geologist, but in testing this product I am of the belief that the small grains of rock are actually LAVA rock and not what we in the USA refer to as Flint.   The product is just not heavy enough to made from real flint, and I believe it is LAVA.

I haven’t tested the Galeria Mineral Texture Gel yet, but a bottle awaits in my studio to try next.

I think the Brits might use the word “flint” as we would use the word stone or gravel.  Comments on the are WELCOME Please !!

Paid Affliliate:  Purchase Galeria Black Lava Texture Gel from Blick Art Materials.

PRODUCT REVIEW 

Double-click to see this photo magnified.

So the product worked pretty well in my totally UN-official testing studio.   I can personally tell you that the dried product has great adhesion.  Since my 19 year old daughter literally walked across the canvas while it was drying on the floor in my studio.

This not only left a footprint on the nice big canvas, but also re-distributed the Black Lava Acrylic Gel onto my bamboo studio rug, onto the concrete studio floor, and also distributed a third light footprint outside on the concrete driveway.  All three footprints are dry now, and the product is not budging off the bamboo rug.

No biggie, we have raised 4 kids so I am used to this type of thing.  I just go all ZEN bout it .  I try to remain flexible like a single blade of grass blowing gently in the wind on a beautiful spring day … but I digress.

I was able to cover one  24 inches by 30 inches canvas with a 8.4 ounce bottle ( 250ml).

I applied it straight with a palette knife.  I was surprised that I used the entire bottle to cover this one canvas, as I paid about $10 buck for it.  Later, after using it all up, in true artist form I decided to actually read the label.

The label states:

“A granular paste containing fine particles of black flint.  Stir well before use.  Use alone for colorless results or mix with acrylic color.  Can be over-painted.  To increase flow mix with Winsor & Newton Gloss Medium.  Do not over-thin with water.  Apply with a brush or knife.  Clean equipment with water after each use.”

Since I do indeed to use this gel as simply a textured underpainting, I am certain that I could have / should have mixed it with Gel Gloss Medium to extend it a bit.  I think I put it on too thick.  No harm done, just wasted it and my hard earned dollars.  With Gel Gloss Medium, I might have still achieved the bumpy, grainy look without using an entire bottle on just one canvas.

What bugs me about Galeria Black Lava Texture Gel?

The design of the jar leaves a little lip at the top in which the product sticks.  I used every palette knife in my studio to try to get out that last little bit since I didn’t have quite enough to finish covering my canvas after the Footprint incident. (see story above).  Then I had to clean off all the palette knives, arrgghhh!  Finally had to use my finger to get it all out, a simple plain jar would be better than this one.

What’s good about Black Lava Texture Gel?

• Availability in hobby stores as well as art stores since most every store in the USA carries the W&N brand.
• Adhesion seems sound and stable, in my completely unscientific opinion.
• Since this gel is part of the Galeria Line, it is a pretty decent value for the money.

Use or Lose?

• I would vote use on this one.  First of all, it is readily available from the hobby stores in the small town in which I live.  In a pinch I can buy it locally instead of ordering it  –  We all know it is NO FUN to wait a week when inspiration hits.
• Secondly, it is priced quite competitively since Galeria is Winsor & Newton’s student line of acrylic paints.

Looking to try Galeria Black Lava Texture Gel?

Please consider purchasing it by using our paid affiliate link at Blick Art Materials.

Disclaimer: Yes, we will get a tiny percentage of the sale if you click the link above.  And yes your purchase will encourage me to continue reviewing acrylic paint products.  And YES this will help me to purchase even more acrylic paint products to review for you!

Do you like or dislike Galeria Black Lava Texture Gel? Please consider leaving your comments below in our reply section.