While you could purchase a nice wide brush from an art store, if you plan on having a multi-layer paying, then you can likely get away with using a brush purchased at your local hardware store.
Here’s How You REALLY Should Be Thinning Your Acrylic Paint
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So, the other day I got a few acrylic paints from a friend for my birthday.
Not only was I incredibly pleased with this fine gesture, I knew I could immediately use them in a current piece I was working on.
As I sat in my studio late one evening, I went ahead and unscrewed the top of the Alizarin Crimson and started squeezing it out onto my palette…
…and what I saw shocked me…
While dabbling in the medium of acrylics for several years, I was taken aback by the sheer thickness of this acrylic paint.
Sure, I had some experience in oils, but seriously, the viscosity of this acrylic had me double checking the tube to make sure that I wasn’t actually using an oil paint because it was that thick!
Now, here’s the deal:
When using acrylics, you will find that there are two primary methods you can use in order to thin out paints – water and mediums.
However, the thickness of this paint almost had me wondering if I should reach for my trusty odorless mineral spirit instead.
But, I did what any artist would do and got creative with my thinners to see exactly what the results would be.
…and you know what, it worked!
So, with this experience of dabbling in such thick acrylics, I was fast to think that many other artists out there had this same exact scenario as me.
Here’s what you will need to do in order to make acrylic paint thinner:
Table of Contents
Understand The Construction Of Acrylic Paints From The Ground Up
Any seasoned artist will know when to use a solvent such as turpentine or odorless mineral spirits, but furthermore, a great artist should know the products that they are using form the inside out.
While it might seem daunting at first to understand some of the more popular mediums, it really is quite simple…
Here’s what you need to know about the construction of acrylic paint:
Acrylic by its very nature is a water-soluble paint, this means that when mixed with water it will slowly dissolve.
By comparison, oil paints are not water-soluble. Therefore, you cannot use water to thin out a painting that is reliant on oils. Instead, you must use more powerful solvents like odorless mineral spirits.
So, what makes acrylic paint water-soluble but oil paint not? It comes down to the binding agent within the paint.
Acrylic paints more often than not rely on an acrylic polymer emulsion. This particular substance is what gives acrylic paint its water solubility.
Furthermore, this acrylic polymer emulsion is mixed with pigment to give acrylic its color.
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
Water is a great and extremely cheap alternative to some of the pricier mediums you may find online and elsewhere.
However, it’s worth mentioning that you can’t just apply water blindly to your acrylic paints…
…you will need to exercise some caution!
Therefore, a general guideline set by many acrylic paint manufacturers is that you shouldn’t mix more than a 1:2 ratio (50%).
Over saturating your acrylic paint with too much water may result chipping or peeling of your acrylic paint, especially if applied to a primed surface (we will dive into this in a minute).
To try and moderate the thinning process you can either mix your paint with water either on a separate palette or in a small cup. This will help to prevent any seepage of the water with other colors on your palette.
Lastly, while we highly advocate the use of palette knives as the primary mixing tool, the water and acrylic solution will likely be too thin. Therefore, you will want to use a cheap separate brush to do the mixing for you – just be sure to rinse immediately thereafter so you aren’t trying to remove dried acrylic paint from your brush.
How to thin Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paints can be thinned by adding water, a pouring medium, or using an acrylic binder. To get the correct consistency, you need to take a few things into account. 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.
What is Acrylic Paint?
One question that often arises is can you dilute acrylic paint with water? The simple answer is yes acrylic paints can be diluted with water.
Some other characteristics of acrylic paint include:
Acrylic paint is mainly made of color pigments, binding agents and occasionally others contain added agents, which provide properties like durability. Color pigments are what gives the paint its vivid color.
Binders offer the following benefits:
- Helps with waterproofing the paint
- Provides the gloss appearance
- Also helps the paint dry fast and evenly
When painting on surfaces, these binders will not affect the paints hiding power abilities. Some additives can be included, which can lengthen the shelf-life of the colors. However, these additives could be harmful to your health. Therefore, most paints, in particular, the better-quality acrylic paints will not contain these types of additives.
Various Ways of how to Thin out Acrylic Paint
As discussed, acrylic paint is made of color pigments and other constituents. Water acts as an acrylic paint thinner, which then enhances the spreadability of the paint. You can use your paints straight from the tube, or you can thin acrylic paint to obtain another effect. Once you have figured out how to thin acrylic paint correctly, the application process becomes extremely easy. Let us now consider the various ways you can thin acrylic paint. These popular methods have been tried and tested, so you should be applying your paint skillfully in no time.
Water as an Acrylic Paint Thinner
We have already dealt with the question of can you dilute acrylic paint with water. This is the most popular, easiest, and cheapest way to thin acrylic paint. Nonetheless, you have to control the amount of water you use, too much or too little may cause undesirable problems. The most common ratio to use is 50% water to your paint, but some say 30% is sufficient.
Sometimes you do not need to follow any kind of ratio:
- You do not need to follow a percentage ratio when your canvas has no gesso
- On watercolor paper
- Wood surfaces which do not have primer
- Any absorbent surface
When applying thin acrylic paint to an absorbent surface, it produces a matte look. The water soaks into the substrate, and you have a watercolor effect with a soft color layer. Acrylic glazing is simply a thin blend of color. Pour some paint into a small bowl and add 50% water, you determine this by estimating the volume of paint used. Blend and apply, and what is great is you can add another layer of glaze without affecting the previous layer.
However, if you do overdo it with the water, you will be reducing the condition of your art piece, the paint will then eventually begin peeling. To create your glaze without problems, blend your water and paint in a small cup so the water cannot run or leak anywhere. Remember, it is a careful and deliberate process. If you are using a palette, you can try dipping your paintbrush into some water and then add a few drops to your paint. Slowly blend with the brush until you reach your preferred consistency.
Guidelines when Thinning Acrylic Paint with Water
- Preferably use distilled water, as tap water could contain dirt or other particles that could ruin your art piece
- Use only a small amount of paint and water at a time. Acrylic paint dries rather quickly, so using too much can result in wasting paint
- When painting on a primed canvas or non-absorbent surface, it is recommended you use 30% water added to your paint
- When painting on an absorbent surface, the amount of water does not matter, as any excess is absorbed, and the pigment will remain on the surface.
- If you use less than 30% water, you will not have to worry about the binding properties in the paint being affected
Thinning Medium as an Acrylic Paint Thinner
Some artists prefer to use a thinning medium and beginners should maybe try this method before using water. Water requires precise amounts when mixing, a slight miscalculation could spoil everything. Water could affect the binding properties of the paint and can cause what is known as under bound paint. Your paint will begin peeling off the surface.
Using an acrylic painting medium like an airbrush medium might be a better solution. The airbrush medium has a consistency similar to water and is easy to use. Transfer medium into a container and then add your paint. You will have an immediate smooth and thinned paint. Unlike water, the thinning medium will not affect the binding properties of the paint and it will form a stable paint layer.
When using an acrylic thinning medium, you do not have to use a percentage or ratio when blending. This ensures that your paint will not begin to peel off the surface. The thinning medium will bind it to the surface and also acts as a primer for consecutive paint layers.
Guidelines when Thinning Acrylic Paint With a Thinning Medium
- Always read and follow instructions carefully
- Do not go for cheap products, rather pay a little extra for good-quality thinning medium for best results
Thinning Acrylic Paint with an Acrylic Binder
You can easily use an acrylic binder instead of water, which does not influence the paint properties including color intensity in any way. The acrylic binder is part of the paint in any case, so it should work with any paint on the market. Adding binder to your paint will decrease the paint’s viscosity, helping it to become more liquid. The binder does not break the paint pigments down and provides a few other advantages. By adding more binder, the paint will soak up less into a substrate. Also, the paint will have more of a shine and radiance when it has dried. You can then add a gloss after the paint has dried, to enhance your painting further. If you still need to even the surface out more, you can add a final layer of varnish.
Guidelines when using an Acrylic Binder
- There is only one tip when using a binder, try to avoid using over 50% acrylic binder. This just helps to prevent losing any color intensity.
Thinning Acrylic Paint with Pouring Medium
Pouring was designed to help with improving the flow of acrylic paint. The medium is used mostly in the now popular art form of acrylic pouring. But the medium can just as easily be used when painting. The results are the same as with an acrylic binder, the only difference being a longer drying time.
Guidelines when Using a Pouring Medium
- You only need to add 10% to 20% medium to your paint. This is enough to thin acrylic paint.
Reviving Acrylic Paint that has Dried
Maybe you have used too much paint, and some have already started drying out? This can be improved by adding acrylic binder and some water. Stir and you should be able to work with the paint again. However, if the acrylic paint has dried completely, you will not be able to this. You can do something to help avoid this, simply cover the paint with a moist piece of paper or spray the paint with a little water to slow down the progression of drying.
Take a look at our how to thin acrylic paint webstory here!
Charlene Lewis ( Content Writer for Painting and Crafting )
In 2005, Charlene completed her wellness degrees in therapeutic aromatherapy and reflexology at the International School of Reflexology and Meridian Therapy. She worked for a company offering corporate wellness programs for several years before opening her own therapy practice. In 2015, she was asked by a digital marketer friend to join her company as a content creator, and it was here that she discovered her enthusiasm for writing. Since entering the world of content creation, she has gained a lot of experience over the years writing about various topics such as beauty, health, wellness, travel, crafting, and much more. Due to various circumstances, she had to give up her therapy practice and now works as a freelance writer. Since she is a very creative person and as a balance to writing likes to be active in various areas of art and crafts, the activity at acrylgiessen.com is perfect for her to contribute their knowledge and experience in various creative topics.
Learn more about Charlene Lewis and about us.
How to Thin Acrylic Paint – Mediums for Washes and Pours
Painting with acrylics is one of the most common ways people around the world go about their painting, but can you thin acrylic paint to achieve different effects? Yes, you absolutely can! Thinning acrylic paint can be done in many different ways and is an easy way to provide some variation in finish and consistency if you want to experiment with this medium. You can easily create acrylic paintings with watercolor effects, or try your hand at pouring paints to create abstract paintings once you have thinned down some of your favorite acrylics. If you are asking yourself “what does paint thinner do?” then you will be happy to know that this article is all about how to make acrylic paint thinner and what you need to do it.
Table of Contents
- 1 What Is Acrylic Paint?
- 1.1 Why Would You Want to Thin Acrylic Paint?
- 1.2 What Is an Acrylic Medium?
- 2.1 How to Thin Acrylic Paint With a Pouring Medium
- 2.1.1 Best Pouring Medium for Thinning Acrylic Paint: LIQUITEX Professional Pouring Effects Medium
- 2.2.1 Best Binder Medium for Thinning Acrylic Paint: PEBEO STUDIO Transparent Acrylic Binder
- 2.3.1 Best Thinning Medium for Thinning Acrylic Paint: VALLEJO Airbrush Paint Thinner
- 3.1 Can You Thin Acrylic Paint With Alcohol?
- 3.2 Can You Thin Acrylic Paint With Mineral Spirits?
- 3.3 What Does Paint Thinner Do?
- 3.4 Can You Thin Acrylic Paint With Acetone?
- 3.5 Can I Use Thinned Paint in a Sprayer or Airbrush?
- 3.6 How Can I Make Acrylic Paint Thinner?
- 3.7 Can You Add Water to Acrylic Paint?
What Is Acrylic Paint?
When talking about thinning acrylic paint you need to have an understanding of what acrylic paint is and what it is made of. Acrylic paint is made of pigment, a polymer emulsion, and some water. The ingredients of acrylic paint as well as some of the occasional extra ingredients give acrylics many positive characteristics. Some of these characteristics include a fast drying time, easy application, little to no odor, and non-flammability. Acrylic paint is possibly most well-known for being water-soluble.
The pigment is the ingredient in acrylic paint that provides the color. Pigments can be either organic or synthetic and are made of tiny colored particles that are suspended in the polymer emulsion without dissolving. A polymer emulsion is made when the vehicle, which in the case of acrylic is water, combines with the binder. Once the water evaporates from the acrylic paint all that remains is the dry film of colored polymer that we all recognize as dried acrylic paint.
The primary contributor to acrylics’ popularity is that it dries so quickly. In ideal conditions, a thin application of acrylic can be fully dry in around ten minutes. Acrylic paint that is applied more thickly can take longer to dry but should still dry completely within an hour. The flexibility and elasticity of acrylic paint come from some additives it may contain depending on the brand. These characteristics allow the paint to expand and contract with ease which helps prevent the acrylic from cracking or flaking. Even completely dried acrylic paint will remain fully flexible and elastic.
Binders help with adhesion help the paint dry fast and evenly, and provide the characteristic glossy appearance of acrylic paint. The binder is also known as the acrylic polymer. Its primary functions are to hold the pigment and to form a flexible, protective film once the paint has dried
Why Would You Want to Thin Acrylic Paint?
Thinning acrylic paints is the process of adding water or any other medium to acrylic paints. This process will slowly dilute the paint and give it a lighter and more viscous consistency. You can thin acrylic paint when the consistency is too thick for your preferences or purposes. Thinning acrylic paints helps to achieve a different consistency, subtly alter color, or to create different effects. For example, thinned acrylic paint may even look like watercolor. You can also thin acrylic paint to try your hand at creating abstract art by pouring paints onto a canvas.
What Is an Acrylic Medium?
An acrylic medium is a substance that is added to acrylic paint to its properties. There are several mediums that have many different uses. Acrylic mediums can be mixed with acrylic paint to extend drying time, change consistency, or change texture. Mediums can also increase the UV resistance of acrylic paints and change their finish. With regards to using acrylic mediums to thin acrylic paint, there are three mediums that are suitable for the job.
Pouring medium, acrylic binder, and thinning medium are all suitable for use when thinning down acrylic paint. We go into more detail about each of these thinning options further down in this article and highlight our product suggestions for each option.
How to Make Acrylic Paint Thinner
Now that we have discussed what acrylic paint and acrylic mediums are, we can start talking about the different ways that we can thin down acrylic paints for use. There are many different ways to try to thin down acrylic paint effectively, with some ways being more difficult than others. The methods we highlight are tried and tested and have been broken down completely to make your experience very convenient!
This section will include guides and product recommendations so that you do not have to worry about anything other than thinning down your paint for your project. The way you eventually decide to thin down your acrylic paint will depend on your preferences and maybe the price, but each method listed here is guaranteed to provide excellent results regardless of the nature of your project.
To get started just keep reading and discover how easy it is to start thinning down your acrylics that are too thick or how to get your acrylics ready for those special pouring and swirling art projects.
How to Thin Acrylic Paint With a Pouring Medium
Pouring mediums are a type of acrylic paint additive that has been designed to help people thin paint for acrylic pouring. Whether you want to thin the paint down enough that it becomes easily pourable or not, you can use a pouring medium to do it. The amount your paint is thinned will depend on the amount of thinning medium you add to the paint. Start by adding small amounts of thinning medium to your paint and mixing until you reach the desired paint consistency.
Keep in mind that while pouring medium preserves the colors in your paint and readily improves the flow, you will find that the paint will take longer to dry than usual. Drying time acts as the trade-off for an improved flow rate of your acrylics when using acrylic pouring medium to thin acrylic paint.
Best Pouring Medium for Thinning Acrylic Paint: LIQUITEX Professional Pouring Effects Medium
This fluid pouring medium by Liquitex incorporates an acrylic polymer to ensure that the binder in your paint is not broken down during the thinning process. Liquitex Professional Pouring Effects Medium creates even puddles, flowing applications of color, and smooth, poured sheets. When mixed with acrylic paints this pouring medium promotes even, seamless drying while strengthening the body of the paint and providing a glossy finish. This Liquitex pouring medium does not add transparency to the acrylic paint when mixed and does not alter the colors in any way. It also does not crack upon drying or cause bubbles when pouring and mixing.
- A fluid medium with acrylic polymer and high resin solids
- Creates even puddles, poured sheets, and flowing applications
- Mix with Soft Body Acrylic to promote drying with an even film
