To make fluid acrylic paint from thicker acrylic paint, like heavy body, you primarily use acrylic mediums.
Understanding the Process
Standard or heavy body acrylic paints have a thick, buttery consistency. To make them more fluid while maintaining their integrity (like color saturation and adhesive properties), you need to add a compatible acrylic medium. Adding large amounts of water can weaken the binder, causing the paint to become brittle, crack, or lose color intensity when dry.
As highlighted in the reference, "there's many mediums we make all of our mediums are compatible." This means reputable art supply companies offer a range of mediums specifically designed to mix with their acrylic paints, allowing artists to alter consistency, finish, or transparency without compromising the paint's quality. The reference also notes that it's "about what you want as an artist," implying the choice of medium and final consistency is flexible, and there are "some that are very common we would recommend."
Essential Steps
Here’s how to make your acrylic paint more fluid using mediums:
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Gather Your Materials:
- Your chosen acrylic paint (e.g., heavy body).
- An appropriate acrylic medium (see below for types).
- A palette or mixing surface.
- Palette knife or mixing tool.
- Container for the mixed paint (optional).
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Select the Right Medium: Choose a medium designed to increase fluidity. Common types include:
- Fluid Mediums: These are specifically formulated to thin acrylics while maintaining film strength. They come in various finishes (gloss, matte, satin).
- Pouring Mediums: If aiming for a very thin, self-leveling consistency suitable for pouring, these are the go-to choice.
- Flow Improvers: While not a medium themselves, these additives (used sparingly, often with a medium or water) reduce the surface tension of water, helping paint flow more easily.
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Mix Gradually:
- Place a small amount of your acrylic paint onto your palette.
- Add a small amount of the acrylic medium to the paint.
- Use your palette knife to thoroughly mix the paint and medium together.
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Check Consistency and Adjust:
- Observe the consistency. Is it flowing the way you want?
- If it's still too thick, add a little more medium and mix again.
- Continue adding and mixing until you achieve the desired fluidity. It's always better to add too little at first and add more than to add too much and potentially over-dilute the paint.
Choosing the Right Medium
The choice of medium depends on the desired result beyond just fluidity:
| Medium Type | Primary Use Case | Typical Consistency | Resulting Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluid Mediums | General thinning, improving flow, blending | Liquid, thinner gel | Varies (Gloss, Matte, etc.) |
| Pouring Mediums | Creating smooth, even pours, reducing cracking | Very thin liquid | Usually glossy, flexible |
| Flow Improvers | Reducing surface tension for better flow (use with caution & dilution) | Liquid concentrate | Does not alter finish significantly on its own; affects how paint spreads |
By using compatible acrylic mediums, you can transform thicker acrylic paints into a fluid consistency suitable for techniques like staining, washes, fine detail work, or pouring, all while ensuring the paint film remains durable and vibrant. Remember that "it's about what you want as an artist" – experiment with different mediums and ratios to find the perfect consistency for your specific artistic needs.
