Crackle is a decorative painting effect where by fine cracks appear in the top coat of paint and the lower layer of paint then shows through. It is a technique originally used by furniture makers and decorative artists to create the replicate ageing or to produce an antique look.

The Crackle painting technique can be achieved several ways. Traditionally, it was made by painting a slow drying paint as the first layer and then a faster drying paint as the top layer however now you can buy a painting medium called ‘Crackle Medium’.