Additives

Additives

Additives allow the artist to adjust the working properties of acrylic paint. They can be used to increase the flow, the opacity, or the thickness, and more. While they do contain acrylic polymer for compatibility, they do not contain sufficient acrylic resin to act as a binder within the paint.

ALL ADDITIVES

  • Should be used sparingly and only in the amount needed to achieve the desired effect

  • Do not add transparency to the paint film

  • Available in both fluid and gel viscosities

Flow Aid

Breaks water tension to improve flow, absorbency and blending of any water based paint, ink or dye and minimises brush strokes. Use with Liquitex Soft Body colour to create very fluid washes without hard edges. Great for staining effects on raw canvas. Should not add more than 25% as there is no binder and it can weaken the stability of the paint film when too much is added.

Attributes

  • For all acrylic paints and mediums.

  • Use in conjunction with any acrylic medium or colour when increased flow and absorption and decreased film tension and friction are important.

  • A flow enhancer that improves the flow, absorption and blending of any water-soluble paint (i.e. acrylic paint), medium, ink or dye.

  • Minimizes brush marks by reducing friction of paint application.

  • Does not contain binder. Over thinning of acrylic paint with Flow-Aid and applying to a non-absorbent surface (i.e. gessoed canvas) may result in poor adhesion. Always make a test piece for your particular application and surface.

  • On non-absorbent surfaces, will increase the fluidity and open (drying) time of the paint.

  • On absorbent surfaces, will act as a stain, dye or watercolour.

Directions

  • Flow-Aid is a concentrate. Dilute with water before mixing into paint. Distilled water is best, since quality of tap water varies.

  • Minimum dilution: 1 part Flow-Aid to 10 parts distilled water to achieve Flow-Aid Water.

  • Normal dilution: 1 part Flow-Aid to 20 parts distilled water to achieve Flow-Aid Water.

  • Do not use undiluted. Using undiluted may result in poor paint adhesion, cause paint to crack, remain tacky and become water sensitive.

  • Do not shake or rapidly stir. This will increase foaming of Flow-Aid . Wait until foaming has subsided before using.

  • Absorbent surfaces: Use as much Flow-Aid as necessary. The Flow-Aid Water/paint mixture will be absorbed by the support.

  • Mix Flow-Aid Water into water based paint. Do not mix Flow-Aid with turpentine or oil paint.

  • Do not use Flow-Aid in marbling, as this technique requires that the surface tension of the water film be maintained.

 

Application

  • Acrylic Sheets, Acrylic Watercolour, Airbrushing, Brushwork, Fabric Painting, Glazing, Transferring Printed Images.

  • Liquitex Paint Additives are similar to acrylic mediums in that they are mixed into acrylic paint and mediums to change consistency, thickness, transparency, sheen, drying time and absorption rate. However, they are different in that they do not contain acrylic polymer emulsion and therefore have no binding qualities inherent in them.

Liquithick Gel Acrylic Thickener

Excellent for sculptural effects when a matt finish is desired. Gives the handling characteristics of oil or encaustic paint when added to water-based acrylic paints and mediums. Works great with opaque colours as it does not increase transparency or change the position of colours. Should not add more than 25% as there is no binder and it can weaken the stability of the paint film when too much is added.

Attributes

  • For all acrylic paints and mediums.

  • A thickening gel for water soluble acrylic paint and mediums.

  • Used in small amounts, produces handling characteristics very close to that of oil or encaustic paint.

  • At higher concentrations, can thicken paint or mediums to "cake" or sculptural consistency.

  • Drying time will be between 24 hours to 7 days depending upon amount of Liquithick added to paint or medium.

  • Liquithick does not increase transparency.

  • Liquithick produces a matte surface sheen when dry.

  • Paint and medium shrinkage will occur in proportion to the amount of Liquithick added.

  • Archival

  • Contains a unique polymer

Directions

  • Start by adding a very small amount of Liquithick to paint or medium and mix well with a palette knife. The proper proportion will vary with colour and desired effect.

  • Proportions of 20 or 25 parts colour to 1 part Liquithick will change the handling characteristics.

  • Continue adding Liquithick slowly until the desired viscosity is achieved.

  • Add only enough for desired effect and do not exceed 1 to 4 ratio as excessive shrinkage and cracking may occur.

Application

  • Brushwork - Impasto.

  • Liquitex Paint Additives are similar to acrylic mediums in that they are mixed into acrylic paint and mediums to change consistency, thickness, transparency, sheen, drying time and absorption rate. However, they are different in that they do not contain acrylic polymer emulsion and therefore have no binding qualities inherent in them.

Slow-Dri Fluid Retarder

A fluid that slows the drying time of acrylic paints and mediums by up to 40%. An absolutely essential additive if working in drier climates. Mix into the paint when on the palette to slow the skinning over of the paint and increase blending time. Should not add more than 25% as there is no binder and it can weaken the stability of the paint film when too much is added.

Attributes

  • For all acrylic paints and mediums. Fluid consistency thins paints.

  • Increases "open" time of acrylic paint. Reduces paint skinning-over on palette.

  • Increases blending time, making blending of colours and detail brushwork easier.

  • Mix with Liquitex Acrylic paints and mediums to retard drying time up to 50%.

  • Fluid consistency, made to be used with Liquitex Soft Body Artist Colour and Soft Body mediums.

  • May also be used with Liquitex Heavy Body Artist Colour and Heavy Body gel mediums, however thickness of paints and mediums will be reduced to a more fluid consistency.

  • Archival

Directions

  • Do not mix more than 25% per volume into paint and mediums or paint may not fully dry.

Application

  • Acrylic Watercolour, Brushwork , Fabric Painting and Silkscreen Printing.

  • Liquitex Paint Additives are similar to acrylic mediums in that they are mixed into acrylic paint and mediums to change consistency, thickness, transparency, sheen, drying time and absorption rate. However, they are different in that they do not contain acrylic polymer emulsion and therefore have no binding qualities inherent in them. Only limited quantities (usually up to 25%) of any additive can be added into the colour before harming the paint film.

Slow-Dri Gel Retarder

An excellent choice when working in low humidity, or whenever increased workability and blending time of acrylic paints and mediums is desired. Will retain brushstrokes and add body to lower viscosity colours. Should not add more than 25% as there is no binder and it can weaken the stability of the paint film when too much is added.

Attributes

  • For all acrylic paints and mediums

  • Similar to Slow-Dri Fluid Retarder, except in gel (Heavy Body) thick consistency.

  • Gel consistency, designed to be used with Liquitex Heavy Body Artist Colour and Heavy Body mediums.

  • May also be used with Liquitex Soft Body Artist Colour and Soft Body mediums, however thickness of paints or mediums will be increased.

  • Archival

  • Increases blending time

Directions

  • Do not mix more than 25% per volume into paint and mediums or paint may not fully dry, have poor adhesion and excessive shrinking.

Application

  • Brushwork , Fabric Painting and Silkscreen Printing.

  • Liquitex Paint Additives are similar to acrylic mediums in that they are mixed into acrylic paint and mediums to change consistency, thickness, transparency, sheen, drying time and absorption rate. However, they are different in that they do not contain acrylic polymer emulsion and therefore have no binding qualities inherent in them. Only limited quantities (usually up to 25%) of any additive can be added into the colour before harming the paint film.