Liquid acrylics are mixed primarily with water to achieve the desired consistency. There isn't a fixed ratio; it depends on the brand, color, and the initial viscosity of the paint. A common range is approximately 30-50% water.
Achieving the Right Consistency
The key is to adjust the water until the paint flows smoothly, like "warm honey, motor oil, or chocolate syrup," as described by acrylicpouring.com. This is crucial for techniques like acrylic pouring, where the fluidity of the paint is essential. For other applications, the desired consistency will vary. Some artists might need a thinner consistency for spraying, while others prefer a thicker consistency for brushstrokes.
- For acrylic pouring: Aim for a consistency that allows the paint to flow and blend smoothly but isn't so thin that it becomes watery and lacks pigment.
- For other applications: Adjust the water content based on your needs. Experiment to find what works best for your chosen application and desired effect.
Considerations for Different Applications:
The process of mixing liquid acrylics isn't uniform across all artistic mediums. Here's how the approach differs:
- Acrylic Pouring: Several tutorials (e.g., this YouTube video) show how to mix liquid acrylics with mediums like Floetrol or glue in addition to water to create the perfect flow for pouring techniques.
- Spraying: You can mix a significant amount of water, but you may need to add liquid acrylic medium to maintain the paint's binding properties and prevent cracking after drying. (Quora)
- Art Journaling: Fluid and high-flow acrylic paints are recommended for mixing with mediums within art journaling (Hop-A-Long Studio).
Important Note: Mixing liquid acrylics with other mediums, such as alcohol-based products, is not always recommended. For example, mixing water-based acrylics with Vallejo liquid silver (an alcohol-based product) is not advised (Reddit).
Always start by adding water gradually and mixing thoroughly to prevent clumping.
