I’ve been experimenting using natural sponges to create rust textures for my Pipe Wrench study.

This example uses Golden Heavy Body Artist Acrylics on a canvas panel. I first painted a mixture Raw Umber and Burnt Sienna across the entire surface of the panel, using a large, flat brush. Once this was dry, I used the sponge to mottle on blobs of pure Raw Umber and Burnt Sienna.

This experiment was a great success. Next step is to repeat it in oils, and possibly add in some notes of green.