Acrylic paint is a well-loved, popular medium due to its vibrancy and versatility, as well as ease-of-use and different capabilities. Although relatively new to the scene, acrylic has cemented itself as a reliable medium with a variety of uses. Acrylic has several features that distinguish it from other mediums, and make it beginner-friendly as well as suitable for professional applications.
In this series, we provide an overview of acrylic paint. This article outlines the types of mediums that Tri-Art manufactures, and how they can be used in different applications.
There are many types of mediums for a variety of uses and applications, and it can be overwhelming at first. Many mediums are essentially acrylic without the pigment - for example, our Gel Medium is high viscosity paint without pigment, and Polymer Medium is our Liquid Acrylic formula without pigment. Mediums affect the look and feel of the paint while it is being used, and/or when it is dry. For example, they may affect the glossiness, flexibility, texture, or transparency of the paint at various stages of its use.
Our main varieties of mediums are: Gel Medium & Acrylic Polymers, Gesso & Grounds, Texture Gels, Acrylic Varnishes, and Additives for Acrylics. Briefly, here is what each variety can do for your painting practice.
Gel Mediums & Acrylic Polymers
Gel Medium & Acrylic Polymers can be used to control the consistency of your paints, such as adding thick swathes of texture or thinning the paint out for washes. These mediums most aptly fall into the “paint without the pigment” category, where Polymer Medium is the Liquid Acrylic, Gel Medium is High Viscosity Acrylic, and Low Viscosity Gel Medium is Low Viscosity Acrylic, but all without any pigment. Self-Leveling Gel is also part of this category and can be used to create thick, level glazes, or extrusions without brushstrokes.
Texture Gels
Texture Gels are useful for creating a variety of textures and can be easily mixed with professional acrylics. These mediums include Modeling Paste (add thick underlayers of texture), Modeling Gel (create dramatic textures like extreme impasto), Nepheline Gel (add a coarse, granular texture), Fibre Paste (a foundation for dry media or fibrous textured base), and our line of Re-harvested Mediums made with materials such as glass, Pete plastic, walnut shell, and copper cinder.
Gesso & Grounds
Gesso & Grounds help prepare the substrate for your needs. Our Gesso comes in several colours to prime the surface, while Grounds can add different effects. Crackle Ground creates a cracked surface for acrylic application (learn more about Crackle Ground and how to use it here ), and Dry Media Ground prepares the surface for dry media such as pencils and charcoal. Other mediums like Modeling Paste and Fibre Paste can also be used as grounds to suit your texture needs. Learn more about the history and use of gessos and grounds here .
Acrylic Varnishes
Acrylic Varnishes are formulated to minimize the presence of brushstrokes, and are ideal as a final layer to acrylic painting. Final Finish is self-leveling, and designed to unify the luster of a finished painting. Top Coat provides a final protective layer to the work, and is available in Hard for use on rigid substrates, and Soft for use on flexible surfaces. Our Liquid Glass Pouring Medium and Finishing Resin creates a pristine, glass-like finish when used as a top coat.
Additives for Acrylics
Additives for Acrylics can be used to impact the way acrylic paint can be used. For example, Retarder Medium and Retarder Gel are designed to extend the drying time of acrylic paints, allowing for enhanced blending, layering, and workability without affecting the paint’s thickness or texture. Other mediums with similar applications are available for use with our other acrylic paint lines, such as Ink Flow Release and Impressions Block Printing Ink - Clear.
Acrylic mediums can be used to change the texture, consistency, flexibility, or transparency of the paint. A variety of different mediums are available to achieve an array of desired effects, enhancing creative possibilites - experiment and have fun!
Explore our range of acrylic paints and mediums through our website, or at Art Noise online or in-person in Kingston. If you use our acrylic paints or mediums, make sure to tag us on social media posts - we would love to see your work!
For more information, check out our other blog posts on acrylic paint, our FAQ page, or contact us.
