Matte medium is used with acrylic paint to alter its finish and properties, primarily to create a flat, non-glossy surface.
Understanding Matte Medium
Matte medium is an acrylic polymer emulsion, similar to the binder in acrylic paint, but with added matting agents. This creates a non-reflective surface.
How to Use Matte Medium with Acrylic Paint
Here’s a breakdown of how to use matte medium, based on the provided reference, and general practices:
| Method | Description | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Mixing with Paint | You can directly mix matte medium with your acrylic paint. The ratio depends on the desired effect. Adding more medium will decrease the paint's pigment intensity and its gloss. As demonstrated in the reference, it helps make the paint flow like a wash when mixed, and results in a chalky finish. | Reduces gloss, creates a flat finish, extends paint, and can make it more translucent. |
| Layering | Apply matte medium over dry acrylic paint. This is useful if you wish to change the sheen after your painting is completed. | Reduces sheen of the paint surface, protects the paint layer, can unify diverse gloss levels. |
| Acrylic Wash | Combine matte medium with a considerable amount of water and a small amount of acrylic paint. This allows for thin, translucent washes with a matte finish. The video clip illustrates this technique for achieving a wash that results in a flat, chalky finish when dry. | Creates a translucent color layer with reduced gloss. |
Practical Insights
- Adjusting Ratios: Experiment with different ratios of paint and medium to achieve the desired effect. Start with a small amount of medium and gradually add more until you achieve the desired finish.
- Surface Preparation: While matte medium is generally compatible with most surfaces, ensure that the surface is clean and dry before application.
- Working Time: Matte medium will increase the working time of your acrylics.
- Clean Up: Clean your brushes and palette with water immediately after use.
Examples
- For a matte finish on a background: Mix a greater ratio of matte medium to acrylic paint when creating a background to ensure the area is less glossy and doesn't distract from your focal point.
- To create glazes with a muted look: Blend matte medium with thin washes of color to create multiple layers of translucent color without building up a reflective surface.
- To reduce shine on an entire painting: Apply a final coat of matte medium over a finished painting to unify the surface sheen and reduce overall gloss.
By using matte medium effectively, you can expand the creative possibilities within your acrylic painting projects.
