
Tri-Art Acrylic Mediums - Retarder Gel
Description
Retarder Gel is designed for artists who wish to extend the drying time of their acrylic paints while also adding a desirable thickness to their medium. This unique gel formulation is perfect for those seeking to explore new dimensions in their artwork with extended workability.
Retarder Gel is seamlessly blendable with any acrylic paint, providing a smooth, thick consistency that is ideal for techniques like impasto, where volume and sculptural effects take center stage. It allows for more time to manipulate the paint, perfect for achieving intricate details and complex color gradients without the rush of fast-drying paints.
Not only does this Retarder Gel keep your acrylics workable for longer, but it also maintains the vibrancy and opacity of your colors, ensuring that your artistic creations stand out with brilliance and clarity. Whether you're a professional artist or a creative enthusiast, Tri-Art Retarder Gel is an indispensable tool that brings flexibility and depth to your painting practice.
About Acrylic Paint
This explains what acrylic paint is, and why our acrylic films are dependable over time.
What acrylic paint actually is
Acrylic paint is pigment dispersed in an acrylic polymer emulsion. As water evaporates, the acrylic particles coalesce into a continuous, flexible film that locks pigment in place and adheres to the surface.
Our binder and manufacturing approach
Tri-Art paints are 100% acrylic polymer emulsion products. We manufacture using a custom high-solids acrylic resin, and this binder standard applies across our range, including professional and student quality.
Using water confidently
Because our acrylic films are built on a high-solids acrylic resin system, artists can be more comfortable using water as a working medium without feeling like they are automatically compromising film integrity. For very thin applications, build in controlled layers and let each layer dry before continuing.
Practical tip: if you are creating extremely thin washes for extended areas, consider alternating thin layers with normal-strength layers to maintain a robust film build.

