A Medium for Every MethodOne of the things that adds to acrylic paint’s versatility is the wide range of modifiers or mediums (shop Mediums and Varnishes) available to alter its natural characteristics. Modeling paste and gel medium, for example, thicken acrylic paint for heavy impastos, meaning the paint is thick, and dries with texture and shape; matte or gloss medium make paint transparent, work as a binder for pigment, and are great for creating luminous glazes; retarders and slow dry mediums slow down paint drying time giving the artist much more workable conditions to create the desired effect. What’s more, in addition to standard tube-type heavy body acrylic colors, artist acrylics are also available in the form of fluid acrylics, for airbrush and watercolor-style applications. Acrylics can be deluted in water for similar effect but can lose the integrity of the pigments. At the opposite extreme, some manufacturers now offer heavier-bodied acrylics such as Liquitex Super Heavy Body that allow more textured painting without the addition of modeling paste or gel medium. The choice is yours! Of course, the most common and useful medium for acrylic is ordinary water. It isn’t glamorous or exotic, but for artists just getting familiar with acrylics, it’s usually the best place to begin because it keeps the painting process simple and direct.
