Beginners Guide to Acrylic Mediums

Acrylic painting involves the use of different types of acrylic mediums. The number of different acrylic mediums can be overwhelming for anyone beginning to paint with acrylics.

Acrylic mediums are used to control how the paint moves on the palette. Acrylic mediums can also also be used to lengthen the otherwise the drying time of the acrylic paint. Still other acrylic mediums affect how matte or glossy the acrylic painting is once it completely dries. Other mediums can be used to refract light and color, add texture to acrylic paintings, and to adhere collage items to paintings.

With all of the choices of acrylic mediums, how does a beginner distinguish between all of the choices?

Because acrylic mediums can be cost more than the actually acrylic paintings themselves, it is important to start with only the acrylic mediums you need to produce a desired painting effect. Once the painter is comfortable using the basic acrylic mediums, one other acrylic medium could be purchased each week, or each month.

Not overwhelming yourself with every acrylic medium available will give you time to explore the full capacities of each individual acrylic medium. It will also give the artist a chance to see which mediums work best together. When you slowly add one more acrylic medium to your collection of art supplies, you can comfortably and slowly explore each one.

Acrylic mediums need to be explored, played with, and used for painting experimentation. The acrylic medium may not behave the way you intended. An artist would rather find that out during the experimentation phase of exploring acrylic mediums than when working on a final painting.

Top Three Essential Acrylic Mediums for the Beginning Artist

The Essential Acrylic Mediums for the Beginning Artist are the ones that will be used with each painting. Once these acrylic mediums are used, the acrylic artist will come to rely on their consistent effects.

Acrylic Gesso - Acrylic gesso works to coat, or prime, the painting support. Acrylic gesso is heavy-bodied and can also serve as an underpainting. Some pre-framed canvases come "pre-primed." Raw canvas needs to be primed with acrylic gesso, as does masonite, or painting panels. Acrylic gesso can be white or black.

Retarder - Retarder is an absolute essential acrylic medium. The acrylic retarder actually slows down the drying time of the paint. Artists who are coming from an oil painting background are accustomed to oil paints that stay wet during the painting process. Using retarder will let them paint in the same way they do with oils.

To maintain the integrity of the acrylic paint, use no more than 15% of the retarder, in relation to the amount of paint. One or two drops is usually enough retarder to keep the paint wet.

Acrylic Flow Release or Acrylic Flow Enhancer - Either of these products will help the paint move more easily on the canvas. Certain acrylic colors will need the addition of acrylic flow release more than others.

Most Versatile Acrylic Mediums for the Beginning Artist

GAC 100 is a versatile acrylic medium. It can be used to extend paint colors without degrading the integrity of the acrylic paint. It can also be used to dilute acrylic paint colors.

Matte Medium - Acrylic matte medium will make paintings matte, not glossy. Matte medium can be mixed into acrylic paints before they are applied to the canvas. Matte medium can also be used as a final coat to make and entire painting glossy. Matte medium is best used on canvas panels, when the artist wants to pick up the texture of the canvas.

Finishing Acrylic Mediums for the Beginning Artist

Gloss Medium Varnish - is applied as a last coat to a dried acrylic painting. The gloss medium varnish increases the flow of acrylic paints well as the transparency of the colors. Gloss Medium Varnish may also be applied as a last coat to a dried acrylic painting.

A glossy finish can also be achieved with GAC 800, which lends a high-gloss finish, to paintings.

Matte Varnish - Matte varnish sounds like a painter's oxymoron. The matte varnish will give any acrylic painting a satin finish. The result will be a work with a low sheen and enhanced color. The matte varnish can also reduce glare, which is sometimes occurs when the plastic acrylic paint is dried.

Textured Acrylic Mediums for the Beginning Artist

For the beginning acrylic painter who is looking for some interesting textures, paints with a palette knife, or enjoys experimentation, try any of the following textured acrylic mediums.

Clear Tar Gel can be poured from the container, or drizzled with a brush or other panting implement. Clear Tar Gel can be used to create thin strips or string-like lines underneath a painting, or when mixed with a paint color.

Extra Coarse Pumice Gel - Pumice gel will add a sand-like texture to the painting.

Molding Paste - Molding paste comes in light or heavy formulas. The molding paste is a creamy substance that can be used to build up textures.

Technique-Based Acrylic Mediums for the Beginning Artist

Glazing - Acrylic artists interested in using a glazing technique can use glazing medium. The glazing medium is mixed directly with the paint and creates clear, or transparent colors, ideal for glazing.

Palette Knife Painting - Acrylic paints can be applied to a painting support with a palette knife. Molding paste can be used in impasto paintings and to build up the painting surface.

Special Effects Acrylic Mediums for the Beginning Artist

Pearl Ex Pigments - While technically not a "medium," these powder-like pigments can be mixed with acrylic gel medium or directly into acrylic paints to create an iridescent effect with a high luster quality.

Adhesive Acrylic Mediums for the Beginning Artist

Acrylic Craft Seal - Acrylic Craft Seal is a strong liquid adhesive that can be used to apply different items to acrylic paintings, or to other craft projects. The craft seal adhere hold paper, stone and wood to a properly primed and surface.

Acrylic Gel Medium can be used not only for collage, but also for impasto. Mixing paints with acrylic gel medium will also increase gloss. Acrylic gel medium is an impressive adhesive.

Top Brands of Acrylic Mediums for the Beginning Artist

The top brands of acrylic mediums for the beginning artist are Blick, Liquitex and Golden.