A: It depends on the thickness of the paint. Acrylics are water soluble (which means they can be dissolved in water). 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. The acrylic paints tend to clog the airbrush at the nozzle, which can land up producing a splattering effect. 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 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. What is Acrylic Paint? Determine if your paint is too thick or thin. [1] X Research source As this is a quick-drying kind of paint, using too much from the tube can result in expensive waste. Keep in mind that acrylics dry in 10 - 30 minutes, with professional grade acrylics often taking longer to dry than student grade. W… Painting with Acrylics for Beginners by Nancy Reyner. Use a paint stick to stir the paint for at least five minutes and make sure you stir it well enough to mix the particles that are sitting at the bottom of the paint can. You might also use a mixing container, like a bowl or plastic container. Although many of the materials used in acrylic painting–paint, brushes, mediums, and a surface–will be familiar to any painter, to approach acrylic in the same way you would oil or watercolor, for example, would inhibit you from exploiting the medium’s full capabilities. However there are few things to keep in mind when diluting paint with water. Stay up to date with the latest content, educational resources, promotions and special newsfrom our partners. These recommended courses from Skillshare and The Great Courses Plus will take your painting to the next level! Thinning automotive paint is necessary before using a spray gun to apply the paint. 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. To thin white paint, you can simply use water or rubbing alcohol. Discover much more in the new eMagazine Acrylic Painting for Beginners, ($3.99). 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 There are a few common household items you can compare your consistency to—sometimes this can help you to visualize what your paint should look like. Learn more >>> Acrylic Painting for Beginners (eMagazine) from Acrylic Artist. 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! Acrylic paints can be thinned with water or acrylic medium. If you'd like a more in-depth course, this 24-lecture How to Paint course from The Great Courses Plus will teach you all you need to know about painting. Up to 30 percent medium added to paint will thin it, but still allow it to coat the surface. You should NOT use water to thin acrylic paint. When thinning your acrylic paint, use a 50:50 mixture of Windex or rubbing alcohol to acrylic paint, and then spray it through the airbrush. Cookie Statement Terms & Conditions. Add a drop or two of WARM water to your paints to moisten Not to be used without permission. Matte Medium: Acrylic paints usually have a glossy finish. Once you stir the paint, observe the viscosity of the material. 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. Come have fun with us! I have been using Flow Improver for thinning more often lately. Furthermore, this acrylic polymer emulsion is mixed with pigment to give acrylic its color. When added to water it will slowly start to dissolve and become thinner in as a result. Acrylic paint is water-based and thus water-soluble when wet, so water can be used to thin it. You must Register or If you need to thin acrylic paint, you need to get a medium specifically for thinning acrylics. Large amounts of acrylic paints will take more thinning and be a longer process. An acrylic medium such as airbrush can be a good alternative to water. The amount of water you add depends on the desired effect and the surface. 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. Add a product like Flow-Aid Fluid Additive or Acrylic Flow Improver. 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. Learn my simple recipe for mixing thinner, to use with inexpensive acrylic paints, for airbrushing fishing lures and crafts. When it comes to acrylic pouring, which is fluid art, obviously the mixture has to be easy to pour! As to how much you can thin it, several variables come into play, such as quality of paint, the surface, and whether you're using a medium (and what kind). To properly thin acrylic latex paint, add about two to three ounces of water per gallon, depending on the starting condition. }); Artist Network is with you every step of your art journey. All photos, images and text are copyright protected. Acrylic paint will stop being opaque when it has been diluted by more than 30%. Acrylic mediums are available in a variety of viscosities. 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. 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. Apply a small amount of paint to your palette. Dip your paintbrush in a cup of clean water and then gently tap the water from your brush onto the paint. After adding a small amount of water and mixing it in, see if that is the consistency that you want it to be; add more water if necessary. Carefully work the water into the paint using your brush, adding more water if necessary, until the paint becomes more liquid. 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. Pull out a length of tape and hold it taut. If gone by a simpler definition, it can be said that acrylic by its very nature is a water-soluble paint medium. Hold the paint stick and see how the paint drips off … All Rights Reserved. If you prefer more of a wash effect, similar to watercolor, say, to tone down your white canvas, then airbrush medium works very … Glossy Medium: This helps enhance the natural beauty of the acrylic paint. 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. Adding up to 30 percent water to acrylic paint thins it but still allows it to coat a surface. Some sources advise not … hbspt.forms.create({portalId: "6817144",formId: "a36f91dc-2cbf-4f96-9d1a-bf390cb71586" By Thaneeya McArdle © 2008-2021 Thaneeya LLC. Use artist’s tape to paint thin, straight lines with sharp edges. Q: How long does acrylic paint take to dry? 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. A password will be sent to your email address. When using rubbing alcohol: Mixing water into your paint can help to achieve a smooth and consistent finish in both the texture and the color. Thinning your acrylic paint with any of several polymer mediums allows the pigment to bond with the surface as the medium dries forming a very solid structure to hold the pigment. Reader Question: If the acrylic paint is too thick or too hard, how can it be diluted? The paint needs to pass easily through the gun's nozzle to achieve an even color across your auto's surface. A glossy medium makes the paint thinner in consistency and gives a transparent finish. Happy painting! 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. Acrylic paints can be used on canvas, wood, paper, boards, rocks, and other materials. Come make art with us! 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. Then, slowly lower the tape against your painting surface. 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. , educational resources, promotions and special newsfrom our partners to date with the latest content, educational resources promotions! Mixing container, like a bowl or plastic container is too thick or thin paint water. 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