To wet acrylic paint, you can add a small amount of warm water to it. Specifically, adding 1 or 2 drops of warm water first can help get it started, especially when the paint begins to dry out.
Acrylic paints are known for drying quickly, which is why proper wetting and storage are important.
Why Wet Acrylic Paint?
Wetting acrylic paint serves several purposes:
- Reactivate or Moisten: It helps to moisten paint that has started to dry, making it workable again.
- Thinning: While the primary purpose here is likely reactivation or moistening the surface or tube, water is also the standard medium for thinning acrylics for washes, glazes, or flow.
- Keep Paint Usable: By keeping the paint moist, you prevent it from becoming completely unusable due to drying.
Methods for Wetting Acrylic Paint
Based on the reference and general acrylic painting practices, here's how you can wet acrylic paint:
1. Adding Water Directly
- For Surface Moisteninig: Add 1 or 2 drops of warm water first to get it started. This can be done on a palette if the paint is starting to skin over.
- For Paint in the Tube: It's good to add a small amount of warm water into the paint tube before you start painting. This can help to moisten the surface of the paint inside the tube and prevent it from drying out.
2. Using a Stay-Wet Palette
While not mentioned in the specific reference, a common technique for keeping paint wet during painting is using a stay-wet palette. This typically involves a tray, a piece of absorbent paper (like paper towel), and a piece of palette paper (often parchment or special acrylic palette paper). The absorbent paper is kept wet, and the palette paper sits on top, allowing the moisture to keep the paint on the surface wet for extended periods.
Tips for Working with Wet Acrylics
- Use Warm Water: The reference specifically suggests using warm water.
- Start Small: Always start with a small amount of water, especially if you are trying to reactivate paint or moisten a tube. You can always add more, but you can't easily remove it if you add too much.
- Mix Thoroughly: Ensure the water is fully mixed into the paint to achieve a consistent texture.
- Store Properly: As the reference notes, acrylic paints dry out quickly. You should always keep your paints and brushes stored in a container to minimize exposure to air and prevent drying.
By understanding how and why to wet acrylic paint, you can extend its usability and achieve desired effects in your artwork.
