Acrylic Mediums

Types of Acrylic Mediums for Acrylic Paints: There are a range of different acrylic mediums that can be mixed with acrylic paints. These acrylic mediums run the gamut from thick impasto mediums to thin glazing mediums – with lots of others stuck somewhere in the middle of these two.  Shop acrylic mediums by Golden, Holbein and other top paint manufacturers.

Acrylic Mediums by Brand		Acrylic Additives		Crackle Mediums		Gel Mediums
Leveling and Pouring Mediums		Polymer Mediums

This Week's Featured Products in Acrylic Mediums

	Glass Bead Gel Clear gel with densely packed glass beads. Adds texture and luminous effects.
	Tri-Art Finest Self-Leveling Gel Medium Tri-Art Self-Leveling Gel is the ideal medium for creating thick, level glazes without brush strokes. When used to extend color it will impart its self-leveling properties to other Tri-Art Acrylic products. It dries to a level, high gloss film which can be “etched” into when partially dry to create encaustic-like effects. Formulated from 100% pure acrylic polymer emulsion, this product has a milky appearance when wet and will dry clear. It increases the flow and transparency of Tri-Art Acrylic colors and remains flexible even in multiple layers. Tri-Art Self-Leveling Gel is the medium of choice when an even, glossy surface is needed for collage and découpage.
	Matte Medium This translucent medium brings a degree of mattness that reduces color density. It can be mixed with a gloss medium for a satin finish. Shake before use.

Using Acrylic Mediums

The many different acrylic mediums on the market may be a bit overwhelming, so to understand them better, it is often helpful to group them together by “use”. This makes it much easier to explore the possibilities you have at your fingertips when working with acrylic paint and acrylic mediums. The most common uses for acrylic mediums include:

• Thinning paint. Acrylic paints can be thinned with water, but adding too much water makes your run the risk that there may not be sufficient binder in your paint for it to adhere like it should to your paper or canvas. Acrylic mediums that are created with the intent of thinning paint are typically just a binder used with a colorless paint that will ensure that the paint sticks. These are usually glazing mediums, and although they appear to be milky white, they actually dry clear without changing the color of your paint.

• Thickening paint. This type of acrylic medium is also called a texture medium. How thick your acrylic paint is when you squeeze it from your tube often depends on the brand that you purchase and what type of acrylic paint you have purchased – ranging from stiff to soft body to fluid. There are many mediums that can be added to make your paint thicker; this will also allow the paint to retain texture that you create with a knife or a brush. A textured acrylic medium can be mixed with paint or it can be applied as a layer that is then painted over. Some of the various additives that can create a specific texture include glass beads, fibers, or sand. While some textured acrylic mediums are gels that dry to a glossy, clear finish, others are made to dry to a matte, coarse finish. Some others are made to “carve” into.

• Retard the drying process. Acrylic mediums that retard the drying process are also useful for times when you find that your acrylic paint is simply drying much too quickly. This can be frustrating when you are trying to blend different colors, but these types of acrylic mediums allow for a slower drying time. You can find acrylic medium retarders in a variety of different formulas that will go with the consistency of the paint that you are using. The way that these acrylic mediums work is by slowing the rate that the water evaporates from the paint.