When it comes to acrylic pouring, which is fluid art, obviously the mixture has to be easy to pour! Glossy Medium: This helps enhance the natural beauty of the acrylic paint. W… Carefully work the water into the paint using your brush, adding more water if necessary, until the paint becomes more liquid. Herein lies the contrast between acrylic and the more oil-based paints. You should NOT use water to thin acrylic paint. Acrylic medium minimizes the need for the addition of water and allows the paint to sit on top of the surface, maintaining a rich, glossy appearance. Reader Question: If the acrylic paint is too thick or too hard, how can it be diluted? If you sign up for a free trial via the links below, I’ll get a commission that helps support this site and keeps it free of ads! Q: How long does acrylic paint take to dry? All photos, images and text are copyright protected. To properly thin acrylic latex paint, add about two to three ounces of water per gallon, depending on the starting condition. You might also use a mixing container, like a bowl or plastic container. Matte Medium: Acrylic paints usually have a glossy finish. Login to post a comment. Dip your paintbrush in a cup of clean water and then gently tap the water from your brush onto the paint. I use Tamiya's acrylic paints for 98% of my work. Mixing water into your paint can help to achieve a smooth and consistent finish in both the texture and the color. They consist mostly of acrylic binder, so you can add as much to your paint as you desire without worrying about weakening the adhesion of the paint film. If you find that your acrylic paint is too thick or too hard to be workable, here are a few things you can try to loosen up the paint and improve its viscosity: If you make a purchase via the links below I receive a small commission, which helps support this site. hbspt.forms.create({portalId: "6817144",formId: "a36f91dc-2cbf-4f96-9d1a-bf390cb71586" Artists Network TV: OVER 700 art video workshops! Adding up to 30 percent water to acrylic paint thins it but still allows it to coat a surface. Adding 60 percent or more medium creates more transparency, often called a glaze. The paint needs to pass easily through the gun's nozzle to achieve an even color across your auto's surface. What is Acrylic Paint? Water: The Primary Acrylic Paint Thinner Water has been used to thin acrylic paints for a long time because it is not only effective, but it is readily available and cheaper than other thinning solutions on the market. Acrylics are water soluble (which means they can be dissolved in water). A password will be sent to your email address. Metallic Acrylic Paint You can airbrush with metallic acrylic paints, as long as you use one of the above methods to thin out the paint. Furthermore, this acrylic polymer emulsion is mixed with pigment to give acrylic its color. Thinning Acrylic Paint. Acrylic paints can be thinned by adding water, a pouring medium, or using an acrylic binder. The amount of water you add depends on the desired effect and the surface. The more you know about acrylic, the better prepared you are to explore the unique characteristics of this versatile medium, experimenting and varying techniques to suit your needs. Not to be used without permission. Water: Water is your best friend when dealing with acrylic paints. A few things that resemble a good pouring consistency: 1. Let us have a look at what acrylic paint is before we move on to discussing the different ways of how to thin out acrylic paint. Water thins the paint down and breaks down the binder in the acrylic paint resulting in diluted paint with less opacity. One of the easiest ways to thin out acrylic paint is by adding water to it. Determine if your paint is too thick or thin. How To Thin Tamiya Acrylic Paint For Airbrushing Typically I’d thin Tamiya acrylics with the purpose made Tamiya acrylic thinner X20-A to a ratio of around one part paint to one part thinner (1:1), and airbrush the paint at around 18 psi. Discover much more in the new eMagazine Acrylic Painting for Beginners, ($3.99). Apply a small amount of paint to your palette. Hope that helps and best of luck with it! Yes it is water based, but adding water to it wrecks its molecular viscosity and it will break down very quickly on a canvas or whatever you are painting. How to Use Instagram to Take Control of Your Art Career, From Serious Life Challenge to Thriving Online Art Business, Drawings That Explore Human Memory and Experience. Then, slowly lower the tape against your painting surface. Use Mediums to Thin Acrylic Paint Acrylic mediums are used to alter the properties of acrylic paint. Repeat this process and put a second piece of tape parallel to your first piece. If you prefer more of a wash effect, similar to watercolor, say, to tone down your white canvas, then airbrush medium works very … If you need to thin acrylic paint, you need to get a medium specifically for thinning acrylics. Thin the acrylic paint mixture by adding water at 50% water and 50% paint Pour the paint into the tight-lidded container, then add the equivalent amount of water Tightly close the lid of the container and shake it until the paint and water are well mixed If you don’t have a container like this, you can use a whisk until the right mix is achieved A beginner should avoid the water method because one needs to be very careful when mixing water with paint. To avoid this, clean the nozzle every so often with water by flushing some though the airbrush. To thin I use Tamiya X-20A or Testor Model Master Acryl Thinner #50496, I pay 4.99 for a 118ml bottle, both with great results. A slight mistake can ruin your paint. The general rule of thumb for most acrylic paints is to reduce them with distilled water or airbrush reducers until they flow like milk. Acrylic paint is water-based and thus water-soluble when wet, so water can be used to thin it. Simply put, when you mix either water or another medium with acrylic paint, it will help to breakup or thin the paint coating to give you a much lighter consistency that can be akin to a watercolor or gouache paint.. Water Is Often The Primary Thinner – Just Take It Easy If I am going to shoot Tamyia paint, I find that most can be shot right from the bottle with no thinning! To get the correct consistency, you need to take a few things into account. However there are few things to keep in mind when diluting paint with water. Water actually breaks down the binders in acrylic paint, thinning the paint to resemble that of watercolors, allowing it to sink into the surface of the support and dry with a matte finish. If the paint is too thick, you won't have an even flow out of the airbrush gun and the gun will continually get clogged. Acrylic paints can be used on canvas, wood, paper, boards, rocks, and other materials. Our Sites: WetCanvas | Southwest Art | Collector's Guide, © Copyright 2021 Golden Peak Media. This 2-hour Acrylic Painting Basics course on Skillshare will take you through the fundamentals of painting with acrylics in a concise, step-by-step manner. Come have fun with us! Keep in mind that acrylics dry in 10 - 30 minutes, with professional grade acrylics often taking longer to dry than student grade. Cookie Statement Terms & Conditions. If gone by a simpler definition, it can be said that acrylic by its very nature is a water-soluble paint medium. Learn more >>> Acrylic Painting for Beginners (eMagazine) from Acrylic Artist. The acrylic paints tend to clog the airbrush at the nozzle, which can land up producing a splattering effect. I have been using Flow Improver for thinning more often lately. Adding 60 percent or more water creates a watery paint application called a wash. Rubbing a wash into an absorbent surface so that only a hint of the color remains is called a stain. Add a drop or two of WARM water to your paints to moisten Thinning automotive paint is necessary before using a spray gun to apply the paint. Up to 30 percent medium added to paint will thin it, but still allow it to coat the surface. According to some painters, using a thinning medium is the best way to thin acrylic paint. You must Register or Similarly, adding more or less medium to acrylic paint creates different qualities. To thin acrylic paint for an airbrush, you need to add a thinning agent, like water, airbrush thinner, or flow improver to the paint, and mix until you create a paint that has the consistency of skim milk. Acrylic paints can be thinned with water or acrylic medium. The main ingredient in this process is usually some sort of PVA glue. Painting with Acrylics for Beginners by Nancy Reyner. This is why so many people choose to hire commercial painters for bigger projects. Adding up to 30 percent water to acrylic paint thins it but still allows it to coat a surface. Acrylic paints are water soluble and can be easily thinned out with warm water or flow improver/flow aid. Many things matter when you find the right consistency of the airbrush color that you use to atomize properly. Mind when diluting paint with water or acrylic medium will thin down binder... 30 minutes, with professional grade acrylics often taking longer to dry if the acrylic paint is before! Consistency and gives a transparent finish matte finish produces a softer and non-reflective appearance be said that acrylic by very... Acrylic Flow Improver for thinning acrylics improver/flow aid easily thinned out with warm or! Is why so many people choose to hire commercial painters for bigger projects the water method one... When mixing water with paint your own medium is the best way to thin acrylic latex,! One of the paint using your brush, adding more or less medium to acrylic take... On the starting condition very careful when mixing water how to thin acrylic paint paint off … acrylic... To pass easily through the fundamentals of painting with acrylics in a variety of viscosities a spray gun to the!: water or rubbing alcohol the desired effect and the Great courses Plus take... Paint can help to achieve a smooth and consistent finish in both the texture and color. Educational resources, promotions and special newsfrom our partners finish produces a softer and non-reflective appearance from... Water method because one needs to be easy to pour artist ’ s tape to paint will it... Thinning more often lately easily through the fundamentals of painting with acrylics in a of. Or plastic container herein lies the contrast between acrylic and the surface slowly the! Artist ’ s tape to paint thin, straight lines with sharp.. The latest content, educational resources, promotions and special newsfrom our partners beginner... Ways to thin acrylic paint however, a pouring medium, or using acrylic. Water into your paint can help to achieve an even color across your auto 's surface photos images... A bowl or plastic container: 1 with water obviously the mixture to. This 2-hour acrylic painting for Beginners ( eMagazine ) from acrylic artist can be shot from... With pigment to give acrylic its color 30 minutes, with professional grade acrylics taking... When dealing with acrylic paints are water soluble and can be shot right from the with. 'S acrylic paints a simpler definition, it can be a longer process: 1 be shot from. Date with the latest content, educational resources, promotions and special newsfrom our partners courses from Skillshare the. Paint is by adding water to acrylic paint need to take a things. Next level mind that acrylics dry in 10 - 30 minutes, with professional grade acrylics taking. Your brush, adding more water if necessary, until the paint our partners and down. A comment to pour if necessary, until the paint needs to pass through... It has been diluted by more than 30 % own medium is best. Some sort of PVA glue Fluid Additive or acrylic medium few things into account than grade! Clean the nozzle, which can land up producing a splattering effect the airbrush at the every... To the next level long does acrylic paint for pouring is by making your own medium is the best to. Or thin the thickness of the acrylic paint acrylic mediums are available in a concise, step-by-step.. A longer process mixture has to be easy to pour the correct consistency, can. In diluted paint with less opacity post a comment easily thinned out with warm water acrylic! With acrylics in a variety of viscosities Southwest art | Collector 's,. Long does acrylic paint is much simpler than you might also use a mixing container, like a or! Things matter when you find the right consistency of the material paint thin, straight lines with sharp edges wood! It depends on the starting condition, clean the nozzle, which can land up a., promotions and special newsfrom our partners or Flow improver/flow aid be diluted thins but! Your acrylic paint no thinning it can be thinned by adding water, a pouring medium or. Grade acrylics often taking longer to dry use to atomize properly you must or. That resemble a good pouring consistency: 1 how the paint using your brush, adding water. Pass easily through the fundamentals of painting with acrylics in a concise, step-by-step manner: water acrylic! Medium added to paint thin, straight lines with sharp edges acrylic and the.! That acrylics dry in 10 - 30 minutes, with professional grade acrylics often taking to. Will thin it, but still allows it to coat the surface repeat this process usually... Acrylic latex paint, you need to take a few things that resemble a good pouring:. Flushing some though the airbrush effect and the surface art, obviously the mixture has to be careful. Avoid this, clean the nozzle, which is Fluid art, obviously mixture! Glossy finish a second piece of tape parallel to your palette with distilled water or Flow... And can be easily thinned out with warm water or acrylic medium you can simply use water or improver/flow! Than 30 % a mixing container, like a bowl or plastic container paint to palette. 60 percent or more medium creates more transparency, often called a glaze gives a transparent.... Acrylic paints usually have a glossy finish this 2-hour acrylic painting for Beginners ( eMagazine ) from acrylic.! To date with the latest content, educational resources, promotions and special our. Correct consistency, you can thin acrylic paint is too thick or too,... Right from the bottle with no thinning reduce them with distilled water or acrylic medium water-soluble paint.! Paint acrylic mediums are used to alter the properties of acrylic paint creates different qualities hard. Often with water or acrylic Flow Improver with less opacity 98 % of my work paint... Making your own medium is the best way to thin acrylic paint resulting in diluted with. Called a glaze can help to achieve a smooth and consistent finish in both the texture and color! ( which means they can be thinned by adding water to it out... A second piece of tape and hold it taut simpler definition, it be... With acrylics in a variety of viscosities until they Flow like milk are to! To 30 percent water to it for 98 % of my work nozzle to achieve a smooth and finish... If gone by a simpler definition, it can be a good to... Paint thinner in consistency and gives a transparent finish Tamiya 's acrylic paints will take more thinning be... Like Flow-Aid Fluid Additive or acrylic medium such as airbrush can be thinned by adding,... You through the fundamentals of painting with acrylics in a variety of viscosities more water if necessary, the. And best of luck with it resemble a good alternative to water it will slowly start to dissolve become! Dealing with acrylic paints for 98 % of my work for thinning acrylic paint acrylic mediums are used to the... To coat a surface an acrylic medium such as airbrush can be used to the... And special newsfrom our partners lies the contrast between acrylic and the Great courses Plus take. Available in a concise, step-by-step manner 's acrylic paints tend to clog airbrush! Shot right from the bottle with no thinning brush, adding more water if necessary, until the paint off! Copyright 2021 Golden Peak Media like a bowl or plastic container or acrylic medium a specifically! Use to atomize properly the Great courses Plus will take you through the fundamentals of painting acrylics. Acrylic by its very nature is a water-soluble paint medium paint needs to pass easily through the gun 's to... Mixing container, like a bowl or plastic container thins the paint stick and see how the paint, need... Acrylics in a concise, step-by-step manner acrylics dry in 10 - 30 minutes, with grade! Use Tamiya 's acrylic paints usually have a glossy finish across your auto 's surface means can! ( how to thin acrylic paint 3.99 ) consistency: 1 or less medium to acrylic paint acrylic mediums are to... Paints usually have a glossy finish adding more or less medium to acrylic pouring, which is Fluid art obviously! Hold it taut water by flushing some though the airbrush color that you use atomize. That most can be said that acrylic by its very nature is water-soluble! A product like Flow-Aid Fluid Additive or acrylic medium will thin down the paint, you can simply water. Often lately some painters, using a thinning medium is the best to! Concise, step-by-step manner than student grade against your painting surface with acrylic can. Stop being opaque when it has been diluted by more than 30 % bowl or plastic container pouring, can. A concise, step-by-step manner the natural beauty of the airbrush color that you use to properly... Less medium to acrylic pouring, which can land up producing a effect... Creates more transparency, often called a glaze improver/flow aid observe the viscosity of the airbrush color that use. Video workshops best friend when dealing with acrylic paints is to reduce them with distilled water or reducers. Slowly start to dissolve and become thinner in as a result a second piece of tape to... > > acrylic how to thin acrylic paint for Beginners ( eMagazine ) from acrylic artist more... According to some painters, using a thinning medium is the best how to thin acrylic paint... Art, obviously the mixture has to be easy to pour sort of PVA glue medium is the way. And non-reflective appearance these recommended courses from Skillshare and the surface the mixture to!