Powerwax vs Heavy Gel Medium: Can It Replace It for Textured Painting?
If you’ve been working with Powerwax, you might have noticed… it’s becoming harder to find. So I started wondering: Can Heavy Gel Medium be a good alternative?
In this video, I tested both to see how they compare when it comes to creating texture in acrylic painting.
Why I Loved Powerwax
Powerwax has always been one of my favorite materials to create texture.
It has a beautiful thick, matte, almost buttery feel, very similar to working with cold wax and oils. It stays workable for longer, which makes it perfect for:
- building layers
- blending
- scratching back into the surface
Testing Heavy Gel Medium
Heavy Gel Medium is much easier to find, but it behaves quite differently.
On its own, it is:
- thinner
- more shiny / plastic-like
- harder to scratch into once dry
So I started experimenting…
Making Gel Medium More Like Powerwax
To recreate that matte, textured feel, I tried mixing:
3D sand → made it thicker and more matte
Marble dust → also thickens, with a slightly smoother finish
This made a big difference. The gel medium became much more interesting to work with and closer to the feel of Powerwax.
What About Scratching & Layering?
One of the biggest differences:
Powerwax → easy to scratch into
Gel medium → much harder, almost resistant
So if you love that scratched-back effect, Powerwax still has the advantage.
Drying Time
Powerwax stays wet longer → more time to play and blend
Gel medium dries faster → great if you like working in layers more quickly
Adding Color
I also tested adding acrylic ink to the gel medium mixes.
This creates beautiful transparent layers, especially when slightly diluted with water.
Perfect for building depth in your paintings.
So… Can It Replace Powerwax?
Honestly—yes, with a small adjustment.
Heavy Gel Medium on its own isn’t the same.
But when you add sand or marble dust, you can get very similar textured effects.
It’s a different feel—but still full of creative possibilities ✨
Final Thoughts
This kind of experimenting is such an important part of my process.
I’m always asking:
What if I try this? What if I add something new?
That’s also exactly what I explore in my upcoming membership, The Texture Lab—playing, layering, and discovering new ways to create texture together. The Waitlist is open now!
Want to Try This Yourself?
If you’re curious, start simple:
- try your gel medium
- add a bit of sand
- play with layers
And see what happens 😊
I’d love to hear from you
Have you ever tried working with texture in acrylics?
Or tested different mediums like this?
Let me know in the comments 🤍
