Picking a paint medium can be a difficult task, especially if you're a beginner painter or learning how to use mediums for the first time. We offer a range of basic and professional mediums, and this guide will help you understand what painting mediums do, and which one you'll need to achieve the results you're looking for.
What are Painting Mediums?
Mediums change the behaviour and characteristics of acrylic paint. Acrylic is known as a beginner-friendly paint because of it's versatility. You can give acrylic paint a watercolour effect or an impasto effect before adding a medium at all. But, mediums increase the versatility of acrylic paint even more, giving you more control and creative choice.
Are Additives and Mediums the Same?
Nope! They contain different ingredients that achieve different results. The biggest difference being the ingredients. Mediums contain a binder and additives don't. This is especially important when choosing which to use with paint.
Paint is made from:
- Pigment (colour source)
- Binder (holds the pigment in place and secures it to the surface you're working on)
- Solvent (the vehicle - typically water or oil which affects the fluidity of your paint)
Acrylic mediums include an acrylic binder in their make-up. They bind the paint pigments together and hold them in place for longer on the surface you're painting on.
Acrylic Paint Mediums: Fluid or Gel?
Gel mediums:
- Thick in consistency
- Need to be used with a palette knife
- Gel mediums extend the paint
- If you use a large amount, gel mediums can reduce colour intensity of the paint
There are 3 types of gel mediums:
- Gloss: Gives your paint a shiny look and finish
- Matte: Tones down the sheen of your paint to reduce any gloss finish
- Modeling Paste: Gives your paint a heavier texture and body
Fluid mediums:
- Thinner than gel
- Can be poured onto desired surface and paint
- Fluid mediums increase the fluidity of your paint by giving them a thinner consistency
There are 2 types of fluid mediums:
- Gloss: glossy and shiny finish, while making your paint thinner and potentially more transparent (some brands might also offer a semi-gloss fluid option!)
- Matte: Reduces surface gloss while increasing the colour depth and transparency
Glazing and Slow Drying Mediums
- Glazing Fluid: allows you to layer colours without diminishing the colour underneath. You can add semi-transparent colours on top of colours that have already been painted and dried. The more you glazing fluid you add, the thinner and more transluscent your top colour will be.
- Slow Drying Acrylic Mediums: Delays your paint's drying time for a few minutes to allow for extended blending and manipulation of colour.
We hope this guide helps you choose the perfect acrylic painting medium for your next project! Happy Painting.
