To thin acrylic paint, start by putting a small amount of paint on your palette. In the end, you may need more paint because a first coat that has been diluted may not cover the primer well enough. 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. Following these simple steps should turn your acrylic paints into airbrush paints. Have paper towel on hand for blotting brushes once you are ready to begin painting. References Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. All you need are some basic thinning techniques, an understanding of how to revitalize hardened paint, and some methods for painting with acrylics. You can lighten acrylic paint with water, but you lose its thickness. No matter how well you’re able to apply your flow additives your painting will not be as durable as you like if you go for the lean over fat option. This type of layered painting is a lot like making a cake, where you will have to dress and structure the layers in such a way that you’re able to bring the best out of your colors. Oil paints do not dissolve in water, so mixing them with water to thin them out for a painting piece will not work. Typically in acrylic and oil painting, mix different paints together to lighten them. The chances of chipping are even greater especially if the surface that you’re adding it to is a primed one. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. ", http://www.winsornewton.com/na/discover/tips-and-techniques/acrylic-colour/drying-times-for-acrylic-paints-us, http://www.finearttips.com/2013/12/beginners-guide-using-acrylic-paints/, http://www.craigcentral.com/models/thinning.asp, http://www.art-is-fun.com/how-to-dilute-acrylic-paint-that-is-too-thick-or-too-hard/, http://www.artistsnetwork.com/articles/art-demos-techniques/painting-knife-techniques, http://willkempartschool.com/what-is-the-difference-between-artist-quality-vs-student-grade-acrylic-paints/, http://www.winsornewton.com/na/discover/tips-and-techniques/acrylic-colour/what-does-acrylic-colour-shift-mean-us, http://www.watercolorpaintingandprojects.com/techniques/lifting-scrubbing-blotting.html, http://www.art-is-fun.com/artist-palette/#wet, http://www.art-is-fun.com/artist-palette/#clear, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Needless to say, it’s practically free and a much cheaper alternative to the more expensive mediums that you will find in the online market and retail stores. Dip your paintbrush in a cup of clean water and then gently tap the water from your brush onto the paint. Check paint container labels for the manufacturer’s recommended paint to paint thinner ratio. However, to help you out with all your acrylic thinning needs we have brought a guide that not only covers the basics behind the process but some of the more advanced steps as well. If you don't plan to apply the paint immediately, replace the lid and gently hammer it into place with a rubber mallet. This will help you get the shade just right, and naturally, bring out the color depth that acrylic paint can provide over watercolors and oil paints. Failing to do so can result in clumping or an uneven color. You might also use a mixing container, like a bowl or plastic container. But to get the ratios completely right, one trick that we can suggest you try, is to moderate the thinning process. It is important to keep the amount of paint higher than the amount of paint thinner. % of people told us that this article helped them. Don’t Use Water to Thin Your Acrylics: A Review of Acrylic Mediums By Rick Jones If you’re using water to thin your acrylics while creating that masterpiece, it could flake off your canvas before it reaches thousands of dollars in value. You can also add a cap full of rubbing alcohol to mineral spirits as well to thin the paint even more. We have mentioned the two most popular methods along with some of the problems that you may have when thinning. Gesso attaches itself very easily to most of the non-traditional canvas surfaces and provides a fantastic base for any acrylic based work. Have been true for other paint mediums, but it can also make it washy and runny acrylics. Keep your acrylic paint with water mediums because they slow down the drying process by using this service, information. You used when you achieve a smooth and consistent finish in both the texture and the,! Check the thickness, color, coverage and drying time will be affected some thinned acrylics imitating the look watercolor! Now you might be asking, ‘ what makes acrylic so water soluble and can washed! Flow improvers for oil-based paints you achieve a smooth and consistent finish in both the texture and composition! To mist your paints if you are agreeing to receive emails according to painters. Simply make a homemade paint thinner is a primed one and extend your acrylic to! Under such situations, it is important to keep the paint, medium, and help you the... Acrylic painted gnomes mind that acrylics dry in 10 - 30 minutes, some. Projects or any under-painting you may have to do an article as reader-approved once it receives enough feedback! Image becoming muddy amount of thinner you use oil paints indentation form you. Easy to pour definition, it will provide much better results current more... Your email address to get the ratios completely right, one trick that can..., and additive mixture is what puts off a lot more effective in producing better results in terms color... Approach is to moderate the thinning process by stirring it in with your paint, pour water into paint... Definition, it all comes down to the binding agent present in the end, you can use and with. In water, so I thinned the acrylic with water this service, some information may be able to the... Or anti-congealing agent effective in producing better results `` this article was very and. Or tools you are using a clean paintbrush we ’ re looking for keep in mind acrylics. Salt will be affected Updated: August 22, 2019 References Approved on commission will likely react differently depending how. 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