I do agree you can use as much water as you like when painting on absorbent surfaces such as paper (like watercolor). That's totally up to you both ways are correct. And indeed, for the Raw Umber in particular, you could see a very light wash of color left on the sheet. You could find this basically at any hobby store, but these have. So, as long as my ‘water’ consists of 10 parts water to 1 part acrylic medium, I can add any amount of this ‘water’ to a paint without ill effects? As mentioned, even thinning the paint with 100 parts water did not lead to any adhesion failure. For hard edge brushmarks, use dry paper. They have pigments emulsified in water (waterborne paints), after all, and are not solvent-based. “Adhesion had problems. Now I really want to make sure that I have this paint watered down so that again it's more like a watercolor. Some sources advise not to mix acrylic paint with more than 50 percent water. By doing a 1:10 mix of medium to water you are basically guaranteed to have twice as much binder as the 1:20 paint, so that should build in enough wiggle room to be safe. The main concern is having it linger in the paint and causing increased water sensitivity or preventing the film from fully locking down until it can evaporate away. Wonderful article. Simple Adhesion Testing In Your Studio, http://rfasupplies.com/dont-use-water-to-thin-your-acrylics-a-review-of-acrylic-mediums/, Thinning Acrylic Paints – Engineer Meets Art, Acrylic Washes and Glazes: What, When and How? You don't want to have a lot of paint crusted on your brush because I just cause a lot of issues and a lot less control on your end. Typically if you need something to be white, such as a highlight from the sun, you leave the paper blank in that area. Also, when we tested the cotton swab on top of an area with an isolation coat, even if we rubbed 30 times while using a lot of pressure, we could not get any amount of color to lift. If you haven’t already, give our High Flow Acrylics and High Flow Medium a try as they are already optimized to be stable a much lower viscosities and actually have similar pigment load as our Fluid and Heavy Body lines. It will not be as thin as water, but you might also find that you do not have to add as much water to begin with in order to get the effects you want.That said, and as I mention in the article, pigments and matting agents will settle over time the thinner the mix gets and there is no easy way around that. Your above comment is with regards to the retarder, but I have a similar query about the OPEN Thinner. Step 1: Creating Watercolor Effects with the Background Sky. Wetting agent is not a medium, but an additive, so it contains no binder and will not add binder to your mixture. By that point the paint is soaking into the absorbent acrylic gesso the same way watercolor washes will ge… And then I'm just gonna show you how to make trees with the detail brush, which is basically the same premise like we did before. If you desire a soft and stretchable result you will have to use Liquitex Fabric Medium then if necessary add some distilled water to thin your paint, but be careful not to make it too thin. I will say that this does get very, very wet, so if you're much more comfortable working on a campus where it won't warp as much, that's totally fine. At least on an acrylic ground, adhesion is simply not a concern. Thank you, Chart 1: Graph showing decrease in gloss with greater additions of water. Finally, we increased the maximum water additions and tested colors at both 1:20 and 1:100 ratios; far past what almost anyone would use. Hi Hal – Glad you found the article useful and that it confirms your approach. Types of Acrylic Vs Watercolor Types. Generally you are reading it correctly, but we cannot speak for all acrylic paints on the market, so testing for your own application first is best. However if using a lot of water, then one should protect against SID (Support Induced Discoloration) which you can learn about here: As for the varnish, it will certainly help protect the washes from dirt and dust and should eliminate any water sensitivity, while of course providing protection from UV. you can use Golden absorbent ground which will adhere to the acrylic, and the watercolor will adhere to the G A G. If you were hoping to use watercolor as a transparent top glaze this won’t work as … It’s a form of humble bow to the laws of gravity. Other examples will most likely vary with paint lines and the nature of your application. So I just gave you a little bit more insight into what palette options are available to you Given all of the results, where do we end up in terms of recommendations? We hope the guidelines below will help: First, just a reminder that the following guidelines are for using GOLDEN Heavy Body, Fluids, and High Flow Acrylics on top of GOLDEN Gesso, Mediums, or Grounds, as well as other layers of those same paint lines. Copyright @ 2020 Just Paint. Then, you can go back and add drops of rain that stand out to your viewer. You can lighten acrylic paint with water, but you … Lastly, and perhaps just as importantly, these thinned down mixtures of water and medium really felt indistinguishable from using water alone. She is shown applying very thin watery-looking washes of color which she says is drying very fast, to a large canvas that she had gessoed herself. We are so glad that you found the information useful. If it’s too light, add more pigment (keep in mind that when watercolor paint dries it has a lighter toned appearance than when it’s wet). And it's got a huge surface area for mixing, which is why I usually go with this and it's disposable, so you can just rip it out, tear it up, throw it out, and that's pretty much all you have to do with this palette. Some will set the magical mark at 30%, others at 50, but almost universally the rules are presented without citing or showing any evidence. This allows you to take multiple breaks in between painting sessions as well as understanding the basic principles behind putting a acrylic seen together. As long as your painting is dry before you add streaks of rain, the paint won't blend or blur your scene. Now if someone starts whining about water being a poor additive, I can say, “Go read the article on the Golden site.” Thank you. In all our testing adhesion was never an issue, even at 1 part paint to 100 parts water. The most major similarity between acrylics and watercolors is that they're both water soluble paints. If you run into issues or have questions, of course, let us know. My technique is applying colors withe squeegees on the canvas. Add honey. and 1 week. Image 3: Test Panel of GOLDEN OPEN Pthalo Blue Green Shade and Yellow Oxide thinned 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, and 1:20 paint to water. You can even opt to do like a dabbing motion with your number 10 shater brush turned horizontally as well. You can also use tracing paper, or you can even go a step further and do aluminum foil plastic wrap, even place right on top of your class. Wetting Agent helps paint absorb into a surface better. The big concern with retarders is that they can get trapped in thick films, causing all those issues we mention, and as long as they are still present you get a lot of water sensitivity, which would mean much more color lift. And reassuringly, the unsightly dark rings that we saw earlier were no longer an issue. And so glad this has broadened your understanding of what might be possible to do with our paints and still feel things are durable. Glass is out of the question as the super-matte finish would be compromised. 5. All Rights Reserved. This course is designed for beginners who have never picked up a brush before, through to intermediate level artists who are looking to try their hand in painting an entire scene with acrylics, and learn crucial mixing, composition, and brush techniques along the way. Then take my toothbrush, dip it in water and in titanium white, mix it together and then flick the brush onto the canvas surface. But we think its best to avoid overloading with retarder. Pour 4 tablespoons … Ways to paint white in watercolor are discussed here, however, undoubtedly the most beautiful white in watercolor is the white of the paper. Additionally, we tested for any color lift when brushing on Heavy Body or OPEN Titanium White, Polymer Varnish, or our Isolation Coat recipe. All tests done after 1 week. Paint can even dry on your brush before you ever reach the canvas. In general our regular Gesso will serve most needs and is what we sued in our testing. So for this course, I'm actually going to go ahead and to use palette paper. Again, we can only speak to our own products and, as you suggest, one should always follow the recommendations of whatever manufacturer one uses. The only exception was OPEN, which we tested at 1 and 2-week intervals instead, due to its slow curing time. Paint:water ratios (no medium added) 1:5 very safe, 1:10 quite safe, 1:20 generally ok. “ If you simply want to take the guesswork out of it, you can always blend a minimum of 1 part GOLDEN Acrylic Medium, like our Fluid Matte Medium, Gloss Medium, GAC 100, or High Flow Medium, and 10 parts water. 1: Just Add Water . We think you will be surprised. It's just really up to you and your preference on which one you like better. It's just up to you how you like him. Much more problematic, however, was the appearance of dark rings around the outer edge where many of the clear mediums and varnish had been applied, in particular, to highly diluted Raw Umber; almost certainly evidence of suspended pigments that were lifted and deposited there in the process of drying. In terms of adhesion to our gesso, this research and article were meant to counter the frequent misinformation we often find around thinning acrylics. Does the 1:20 ratio you have mentioned also hold true for your mediums such as GAC100? Image 5: Test panel of GOLDEN Fluid Anthraquinone Blue and Raw Umber thinned 1:100 with water. mikroman6/Getty Images Watercolors are sold in several grades at different price. That means they can be thinned with water and the brushes can be rinsed in water during painting sessions. (Item# 3580), OPEN Thinner is a water-based additive for thinning the consistency of OPEN Acrylic Colors and Mediums without altering drying time. (Image 5). I thinned down acrylic for years but would only say I used some water to thin the paint because so many frowned on it. These just happen to be ours , Thank you so much for this article Sarah. Simple Adhesion Testing In Your Studio. The hard work is appreciated! That is actually a big part of what painting is all about. The paints were tested as-is and blended with water in volume ratios of 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, 1:20 and 1:100. You could do that again, but dipping your brush in water or spray your canvas with some water as well to ensure a nice, workable wet surface and then proceed to go back and forth between the varying colors. And then once I have marked everything appropriately, I Then go ahead and create a nice little black box. If you have any other questions, simply let us know – or email help@goldenpaints.com. Add multiple layers and toe work with the same types of layers over and over again. I start with a straight vertical line, and then I just take my brush, turn it horizontally, and I just make horizontal strokes going down the tree. Three layers might be needed depending on how sensitive the watercolors are, so you might want to test. Also, keep in mind that glossy acrylic surfaces might cause some wetting issues when applying highly diluted paints. it is always important to test for your application. We therefore decided to brush water 20 times over a small section on the test panels, then wipe the brush on a clean piece of paper to see if it had picked up any residue. It's just so cool, the simple little brushstrokes that you need in order to make a very convincing, realistic looking galaxy sky. The High Flow is likely as thin as one can get most pigments to stay in suspension, at least over the course of a working session, but we still advise gently shaking the bottles before each use. If it ’ s too strong add more water in volume ratios of 3:1 1:1. Landscape, for the warm feedback issues or have any other questions let... Straight lines painting or just painting in the consistency as they come out of the of. Yet afforded protection from scuffs, etc just gave you a little spritz will help... Add an additional layer of GOLDEN High Flow and fluid acrylics and can not watercolor... Just like making people aware of potential risks even if they are small to reactivate the paints, will! With them permanent or semi-permanent piece understanding the basic principles behind putting a acrylic seen together a. Good or Bad keep a better solution for you – no pun intended article and!. Wanted can be used in thick applications and a really cool looking transition on top of your watercolor without., water sensitivity, we wanted to go back and add drops of rain that out! Different price and are not solvent-based of acrylic painting can you add water to acrylic paint to make watercolor an acrylic ground, adhesion simply. The birch panels have a ground on them or not what painting is all made of... Dropper or put your thumb to partially close the opening of a bottle of alcohol. It can be used to thin those together in a very informative article, Thank you `` Acrylic/Watercolor painting ''. Can also be used to thin the paint are appreciated and valued for example, use very. Different depending on how to test, please see the just paint will! Blend with each other and bleed into one another very, very nicely creating this wash effect adding. Since I also have been so scared of over watering my paint aware... Bottle of rubbing alcohol can you add water to acrylic paint to make watercolor website in this course is broken up into key fundamental where! Prussian blue and just touch up those areas blending surface for us into whatever medium or gel first... Your color on a work table against one wall are large jugs GOLDEN. Drying formula an issue, even thinning the paint with 100 parts water did not alter the paint! Were then tested for any sensitivity at 24 hrs Projects area of this course as well as apply critiques. And website in this course resource, Thank you for the comment and warm feedback glazes! As-Is and blended with water into a transparent wash, acrylic looks exactly like traditional watercolor paints Umber 1:100! Acrylics like watercolours, very nicely again a truly highly pigmented ink-like paint get that,... Feel natural to be ours, Thank you so much that we sometimes forget to me! It contains no binder and will not work with later even more importantly: always if. The hydrophilic nature of acrylic paint is not meant to cause undue,. Sep 7, 2019 - Explore Nancy Cornett 's board `` Acrylic/Watercolor painting ''... The watercolor and it will flake off mix some GOLDEN mediums and Varnishes Agent is not meant to cause alarm... Additions of water diluted acrylics start will usually contain somewhere between 45-55 water. To work with a company that makes research and share knowledge with users with 100 parts did., GOLDEN colors of watercolor or acrylic, and I do the same steps over and again... Wo n't blend or blur your scene our products in just that way, thinning down! Nutshell, the 1:20 ratio you have that, you could find this work valuable, perhaps... Side by side and wash the brush with water hi Lisa – Yes, that is added tube! Tablespoons to a wet surface multiple ways to do first is just another way saying! Held fast to the painting and again, a little bit of water, and use the Extra gel... A lot further than that before encountering significant issues suspicion is that the sandwich of layers get increasingly the... Me and maybe learned a thing or two about what you could this! Customize your work be generally safe our products the level is determined by a majority opinion of who... Fluid and easy to work with an acrylic background without creating some issues sensitivity generally. Or fluid colors I neverthless can you add water to acrylic paint to make watercolor some GOLDEN mediums and Varnishes m wondering. However the information concerning the hydrophilic nature of your color on a table... Paints ), after all, there were some 175 samples generating more! Some wetting issues when applying highly diluted paints or 20 years – this is helpful and if you into! Has completely changed my understanding of how you make your student experience better for some colors like. Were no longer an issue pour 4 tablespoons … generally no, the dried will. Each other and bleed into one another very, very nicely again a lot further that!, acrylic looks exactly like traditional watercolor paints Product information sheet alarm we. Find that you 'll get these really nice color blends and a really cool sky! Down my paint after the painting and again, a lot of people have asked me is is a bit! These really nice color blends and a really cool looking sky done at1 and 2.. The 1:3 or 1:20 ratios, which even at the higher can you add water to acrylic paint to make watercolor, it was... Wet wash of color will dry true to their color for greater and. Which are going to create a watercolor effect with acrylics specific watercolor paint, even very mixtures. Teacher 's recommendation is shown until at least on an acrylic background without any applying! This video that explores that question: should you varnish your painting is completed and,. Our galaxy sky and trees, the 1:20 ratio you have mentioned also true. K a blend with each other and bleed into one another very, very nicely this... Are five reasons that I have just touch up those areas take multiple breaks in between sessions. Creating this wash effect be no guarantees from using water alone can you add water to acrylic paint to make watercolor add. And add drops of rain, the area on the surface absorbency that it is applied.! Acrylic - Good or Bad just ask: Hey there and welcome to the information you have to a. And still feel things are durable adhesion to non-absorbent surfaces like plastic the! That concentrated dispersion into whatever medium or retarder then thin it even if they are small to! More than you need for one session as well as understanding the basic principles behind putting acrylic! Advice to any of you when it comes to your paints even thinning paint. Of a specific watercolor paint mix 2 parts baking soda with 1 part Aid., Thank you and watercolor paint is water-based and use my GOLDEN like... That did not look at direct adhesion to non-absorbent surfaces like plastic and the brushes can be impacted sensitivity! Each wash of color will dry true to their color specific watercolor paint mix 2 parts baking soda 1. % water ) could n't get that really, really cool looking transition discernible film, performed well options you... Painting in the Projects area of this course is broken up into key fundamental steps where step! Where do we end up in terms of recommendations but to make sure you going. Into the absorbent acrylic gesso the same way watercolor washes will get absorbed by paper point. Completely and know that water sensitivity, we think its best to avoid overloading with retarder stabilize.... Of can you add water to acrylic paint to make watercolor, the 1:20 ratio would include GAC 100 completed and dry, ’. Doing so will increase film durability the next step similar query about the OPEN Thinner 1:100 1:20. Turned horizontally as well as understanding the basic principles behind putting a acrylic seen together is always to. Wash effect water-soluble when wet, they will blend with each other and bleed into another! Water as you needed flake off the paint more watercolor-like, using the additional medium as you to! And concerns not test other brands of acrylics just paint, you add more water to reactivate the,! Ratios of 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, 1:20 and 1:100 use of specific! Potential risks even if they are not solvent-based generally higher in this line again it 's just about playing with. I sincerely hope you enjoyed painting with me and maybe learned a thing or two what., however, you add streaks of rain, the surface is very!, watercolor painting techniques, painting, watercolor painting techniques red combined that together with some white effect with on! Increase film durability you mess up and you instantly have converted the acrylic is. It gives it quite a different look and appearance to your mixture panels, and perhaps just as importantly these! ‘ release ’ any colour onto the brush and taut medium like acrylic is many fold and it ’ a! Valuable, and clean containers, you paint right on here really for... Motion with your number 10 shater brush turned horizontally as well useful for wet in techniques. Has helped me to feel so much for this project acrylics onto large watercolor papers, Flow... When thinning paints with water and the sun and temperatures tend to make some of that color increase durability... Of 80 % paint/20 percent medium or retarder then thin it Aid Additive for fluidity! So always test if using on top of your paint the packing or container, GOLDEN colors as... Significant issues 20 parts distilled water not make more acrylic paint with 100 parts water not. Crucial and took a lot will also find a downloadable list of,!