It’s super frustrating to try to thicken acrylic paint, and it’s a problem we run into a lot here at the workshop.
It doesn’t cling to canvas or paper, you have less control, and people often think it’s their fault or something else with their technique. So we’re going to cover how to thicken you acrylic paint (If you’re in the Acrylic class, you’ll have your own worksheets handed out) and how to get it just right.
Whether you’re looking for textured brushstrokes, impasto painting, or creating a three-dimensional effect, having the right consistency is key. So let’s dive in and learn how to thicken your acrylic paint and take your crafting to the next level!
How to thicken acrylic paint
Most of us at Bottega have been there, trying to thicken our acrylic paint and ending up with a watery blob, sigh! Frustration galore! But we recently discovered that there’s an easy fix, and that is to use a thickening agent.
There are a bunch of thickening agents available, but the most common ones are such as thickeners, modeling paste, gel medium, and molding paste. Let me tell you a story about how I discovered this solution for thickening acrylic paint.
I was painting a picture for my friend’s birthday gift and was wishing for some added depth and texture in my painting. When I asked my mentor at Bottega for advice on how to get this done, he suggested thickening my paint. I went on a wild goose chase trying to find a way to thicken up my acrylic paint without ruining my painting, and then my teacher recommended using a thickening agent.
I got myself some modeling paste and gel medium, and it worked like a charm! Just mix it in small amounts with your paint, and see the magic happen.
(Here’s a great place to find some. We love Jerry’s.)
Since then, I’ve used them to create so many different effects in my paintings. These agents can also give transparency and different textures to your work. It’s essential to note that the drying time may increase when you add a thickening agent. Nonetheless, that’s the easiest way to thicken your acrylic paints, promise! Let me tell you, I am extremely grateful for the thickening agent discovery, and I can’t wait for you to try it out too.
Bonus tips
- Make sure that the paint is mixed well: Use a palette knife or a stir stick to blend the thickening agent and your paint evenly.
- Taking the chance to experiment: Different mediums can achieve different effects, so why not try out different thickness levels with different materials?
- Dry slowly: Even if it’s tempting, you need to let it dry out, or you might end up ruining your entire project.
- Confidently practice: Experimenting on scrap pieces is an ideal way to get started.
Trust me; you won’t regret trying out the thickening agent method to elevate your artwork. It saves for days when you want textured brushstrokes or a three-dimensional effect. So just give it a shot and thank me later!
