Water can be effectively used with the paint from acrylic markers to create different effects, primarily by thinning the paint for blending and washes.
Acrylic markers contain acrylic paint, which is water-soluble while wet but dries quickly into a permanent, water-resistant film. This property allows artists to manipulate the paint with water before it dries completely.
Thinning Acrylic Marker Paint on a Palette
One practical way to use water is by extracting the paint from the marker onto a surface like a palette and then adding water.
- Get your palette prepped: Apply some paint from your acrylic marker directly onto a non-porous surface (like a plastic palette or ceramic tile) by pressing the nib down until paint flows.
- Add Water Promptly: As the reference states, I straight away add a drop of water into the paint and give it a little mix. This is because the paint dries quite quickly and you want to get water in before it starts to dry. Adding water promptly helps prevent the paint from becoming difficult to work with.
- Mix Thoroughly: Use a brush or palette knife to mix the water into the paint. This thins the paint consistency.
- Prevent Drying: As the reference notes, if you wait too long before adding water, you will end up with little dried bits of paint that can't be reactivated.
Practical Application
Once the paint is thinned on your palette:
- Use a brush to pick up the thinned paint.
- Apply it to your artwork to create transparent washes, blend areas, or achieve softer edges.
- Vary the amount of water added to control the paint's opacity and flow. More water results in a more transparent, fluid wash.
By using water in this way, you transform the direct line-drawing capability of the marker into a more versatile painting medium, allowing for a range of artistic techniques beyond simple coloring.
