You can add an acrylic medium to acrylic paint to make it go further.
Understanding Acrylic Mediums
Acrylic medium is essentially clear acrylic paint. It does not contain any pigment, so it won't alter the color of your paint.
How Acrylic Mediums Work
- Extending Paint: Adding an acrylic medium to your paint increases its volume, allowing you to cover a larger area with the same amount of color.
- Maintaining Consistency: Unlike water, an acrylic medium maintains the structural integrity of the paint and the proper adhesion to the painting surface.
- Reducing Color Intensity: Keep in mind that while extending your paint's coverage, adding an acrylic medium will dilute the paint's color intensity. This is similar to adding water, but with the advantage of not weakening the paint itself.
Other Considerations
While an acrylic medium is your best option for extending paint while preserving its qualities, here's a look at other approaches and their pros and cons:
Water
- Dilution: Water can be used to thin your acrylic paint.
- Effect on Paint: However, too much water can break down the binders in the paint, making it weak and more prone to cracking or flaking once dry. It also affects adhesion to the substrate.
- Use: A small amount of water can be suitable for achieving particular effects (like washes), but it is not ideal for a large coverage extension.
Table Summary
| Additive | Main Benefit | Drawback | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic Medium | Extends paint coverage, maintains paint integrity | Dilutes color intensity | Best for extending paint |
| Water | Thins the paint | Can weaken paint, affect adhesion | Suitable for washes, limited dilution |
Conclusion
Adding an acrylic medium is the best way to make your acrylic paint go further because it allows you to increase coverage while maintaining the paint's structural integrity. This method works without causing the paint to become thin and weak, as it would if too much water were used.
