Acrylic medium is a substance that is used with acrylic paint to modify its properties. It can alter the consistency, sheen, and drying time of the paint, as well as enhance the adhesion and durability of the paint film.
There are several types of acrylic mediums available, each serving a different purpose:
Gel medium is used to thicken the paint and give it a heavy-bodied, sculptural consistency. It can be used to create texture or impasto effects in a painting.
Glazing medium is used to thin the paint and create transparent layers or glazes. It enhances the depth and luminosity of the colors while allowing the layers underneath to show through.
Gloss medium gives a shiny, reflective finish to the paint. It can be used to create a smooth, glossy surface or to add a glossy sheen to specific areas of a painting.
Matte medium gives a flat, non-reflective finish to the paint. It can be used to create a matte surface or to reduce the glossiness of specific areas of a painting.
Flow medium is used to improve the flow and leveling of the paint. It makes the paint more fluid, allowing it to glide smoothly on the surface and reducing brush strokes.
Retarder medium slows down the drying time of the paint. It is useful for techniques that require longer working time, such as blending or wet-on-wet painting.
Texture medium is used to add texture and dimension to the paint. It contains particles like sand, glass beads, or fibers that create interesting surface effects.
Acrylic mediums can be mixed with acrylic paint in varying proportions to achieve different effects. They can also be used as a standalone material, applied directly on the surface as a clear layer.