I have seen a lot of videos, articles, comments, etc. online that teach how thicken acrylic paint. Some people recommend cornstarch, flour, and joint compounds to thicken acrylics. Although these ingredients are cheap and readily available, experts do not recommend them due to the potential for very nasty results. Besides you can buy fantastic products specifically made to thicken your paint. Sure, they may be more expensive, but investing is better than taking a chance with items like joint compound and cornstarch. It isn’t worth the risk if you want your work to last. I recommend you purchase high-quality thickening mediums to thicken your acrylic paint.
Thickening Acrylics for Palette Knife work
In her video ‘Thickening Acrylics for Palette Knife Work,’ Jeanette Jobson briefly explains how to use thickening mediums to thicken acrylic paint. Here’s a summary of the key points:
The video helps artists familiar with the texture of oil paints to achieve similar effects in acrylics by using a thickening gel
Acrylic Painting Medium, Gel & Molding Paste Review (Golden Artist Color)
My Drawing Tutorials, in their video ‘Acrylic Painting Medium, Gel & Molding Paste Review (Golden Artist Color),’ review various acrylic mediums and molding pastes from Golden Artist Colors and demonstrate how to thicken acrylic paint. Here’s a summary of the key points:
The video helps artists understand the effects of different acrylic mediums and molding pastes on their paintings by providing practical demonstrations and comparisons.
How to : Painting with Golden Acrylic Gel
The video titled “How to: Painting with GOLDEN Acrylic Gel” by Artist Supply Source, features Patti Brady, the director of the Working Artist Program at Golden Artist Colors. She provides an informative overview of gel mediums, focusing on viscosity and sheen and how to thicken acrylic paint the right way. Here’s a summary of the key points:
- Understanding Gel Mediums: The video aims to simplify understanding of gel mediums, which are essentially acrylic paint without pigment. Golden produces various gels with different properties.
- Focus on Viscosity and Sheen: The video concentrates on two aspects of the gels: viscosity (thickness) and sheen (gloss to matte finish).
- Types of Gels:
- Misconceptions and Water Addition: It’s a common misconception that heavy gel can be diluted into soft gel. While water can be added to gels, it reduces binding capabilities and increases the risk of crazing (fine cracks).
- Gel Sheens:
- Gloss, Semi-Gloss, and Matte: The sheens are achieved by adding matting agents to gloss gel. Matte gels don’t reflect light like gloss gels and are less transparent. Gloss gels retain deeper colors, while matte gels soften and lighten colors.
- The versatility of Acrylic Gels: They can be used for extending colors, making glazes, as adhesives for collages, for image transfers, as a sealer or primer, mixed into acrylic paint for texture, and as an isolation coat for varnishing.
- Encouragement to Experiment: The video encourages artists to experiment with these gels in their studio work and to contact Golden Artist Colors’ product support team for assistance.
The video is a comprehensive guide for artists looking to understand and utilize different types of acrylic gel mediums in their artwork, highlighting each type’s unique properties and applications.
Liquithick Thickening Gel For Viscous Acrylic Effects | Liquitex
“Liquithick” is a product designed for artists, specifically for acrylic paints and is a great solution to how to thicken acrylic paint. It’s a thickening gel that allows artists to modify the texture and consistency of acrylic paint. Here are the key features and uses of Liquithick:
- Thickening Agent: Liquithick is formulated to thicken acrylic paints without altering their color. It’s ideal for artists who want to add more body to their paint for impasto techniques or achieve a heavier, more substantial texture.
- Maintains Paint Integrity: Unlike other thickening agents that might dilute the color or change the properties of the paint, Liquithick is designed to maintain the integrity and hue of the original acrylic paint.
- Versatile Consistency Control: Artists can control the degree of thickness by adjusting the amount of Liquithick added to the paint. This allows for a range of textures, from slightly thickened to a heavy, paste-like consistency.
- Ease of Use: Liquithick is easy to mix with acrylic paints, providing a smooth blend without creating lumps or inconsistencies in the texture.
- Drying and Finish: The product typically does not significantly alter the drying time of the acrylic paint. The finish after drying depends on the amount of Liquithick used and the type of acrylic paint it’s mixed with.
- Application: It can be applied using tools such as brushes, palette knives, or other painting instruments, making it suitable for various artistic techniques and styles.
- Ideal for Various Artistic Effects: Liquithick is particularly useful for artists specializing in impasto techniques, textured layers, or any form of expressive, thick paint application.
Liquithick is a valuable tool for artists exploring different textures and consistencies in their acrylic paintings. It offers flexibility and control over the paint’s body while maintaining its color and properties.
What Can Matte Super Heavy Gel Offer You In The Studio? | Liquitex
Matte Super Heavy Gel by Liquitex is a versatile medium designed for use with acrylic paints, offering artists a range of creative possibilities. Here’s a summary of its key features and uses:
- Texture and Consistency: As a super heavy gel, it provides a very thick consistency, ideal for creating high peaks and sculptural applications. This makes it well-suited for impasto techniques and rich textures in painting.
- Matte Finish: Unlike glossy mediums, this gel dries to a matte finish, reducing the sheen of the acrylic paint. This is ideal for those who like a non-reflective, flat surface appearance.
- Volume and Body: It adds volume to the paint without increasing transparency. This allows artists to build thick layers of paint without diluting the color intensity.
- Maintains Paint Integrity: The gel is formulated to maintain the stability and durability of the acrylic paint, ensuring that the paint’s quality is preserved even when mixed with large quantities of the medium.
- Drying Time: It may extend the drying time of acrylic paints, allowing artists more time to work with the medium and create detailed textures.
- Versatility: Suitable for various techniques, it can be used in mixed media, collage, and experimental art, as well as traditional painting. It’s compatible with other Liquitex products, offering a range of creative possibilities.
- Application: This can be applied with brushes, palette knives, or other tools, mixed with acrylic paint, or used as a transparent layer on top of dried paint.
- Archival Quality: Like many Liquitex products, the Matte Super Heavy Gel is formulated to be archival, securing the artwork’s longevity and ensuring its preservation.
In summary, Matte Super Heavy Gel by Liquitex is a high-quality medium that allows artists to experiment with texture and volume in their acrylic paintings while providing a durable, matte finish. It’s a versatile tool for artists seeking to add dimensional effects and physical depth to their work.