You may be surprised to learn how relatively recent acrylic medium is. Acrylic paint dates back to the 1930s and didn’t gain true popularity until the 1960s. Since then, this dynamic medium has become a go-to for artists. This is true for both traditionalists and those looking to experiment with new and rapid means of art production.
But if you’re anything like us, you probably want to know all you can about your medium of choice. So, you’ve probably got a lot of questions about acrylic, such as:
- What are the benefits of acrylic mediums?
- What is acrylic medium made of?
- Exactly how are acrylic paint mediums made?
Read through our acrylic medium explainer. With it in hand, we’re confident you’ll soon be familiar with this modern paint medium.
Acrylic Medium Benefits
Traditional pigments were expensive, toxic, and long-drying. Acrylic paint, on the other hand, offered myriad benefits for experimental painters of all kinds. Acrylic pour medium was relatively cheap to produce. This meant it became exponentially more available to artists both seasoned and green.
It also had the amazing ability to transition from water-soluble to water-resistant as it dried. This meant artists working with acrylic paint mediums were more likely to last over time.
The fast-drying nature of the medium also meant that artists could be more experimental with their work. It allowed for testing new composition and application styles rapidly.
To say acrylic paint mediums are as versatile as paint gets is a vast understatement.
What Is Acrylic Medium Made Of?
Dating back to its inception, acrylic paint comprises a few key, man-made ingredients in its composition. Every paint is slightly different, but in general acrylic medium is composed of:
- Nearly 50% water
- About 1/3 polymer binder or emulsion solvent
- And a small percentage of pigments and additives, including:
- Thickeners
- Extenders
- Surfactants
- Stabilizers
- And much more
These elements together made for acrylic pour medium as we know it today.
Different Compositions
Not all acrylic mediums are exactly alike, however. The composition noted above is for a classic acrylic medium. But like any creation, it has changed and evolved as scientists and artists alike have come to understand it.
One major distinction can be found when comparing standard acrylic mediums and acrylic gel mediums. The latter has a thicker, gel-like consistency. These formulations allow for variations in elements like:
- Opacity
- Texture
- Density
- And more.
Acrylic gel medium also often allows for a broader range of application styles and effects, including:
- Impasto, for dynamic works,
- Glazing, for thin layer application,
- Molding,
- Sculptural finishing,
- And more.
While both standard acrylic medium and acrylic gel medium are borne from the same origins, their exact recipe varies. The additives and thickeners that differ between them can create a wildly different brush feel and finish for artists working with them.
Fabrication Process
To make an acrylic medium, some chemistry is needed. This is true of the finished product and the individual components that form acrylics’ ingredient list.
To fabricate an original acrylic paint, a chemist typically follows these steps:
- They first grind a pigment into a fine powder.
- They next disperse that pigment powder into a liquid.
- Finally, they suspend that liquid alongside other additives in a resin.
Making Your Own Acrylic Medium
In truth, acrylic making is not something an average person should attempt. Why? Because the process is pure chemistry and chemistry can be dangerous without the right equipment, fabrication space, and know how.
Rather than rely on attempting acrylic making for yourself, it’s preferable to trust in a proven, reputable paint fabricator to make acrylic paint mediums for you.
With all the talk about chemistry, acrylic-making may seem like an impenetrable process. But in truth, it’s relatively simple to do yourself with the right tools and know-how.
The key to this DIY acrylic-making process is to take your time and expect to try it a few times. The exact ratio, methodology, and output are going to differ from painter to painter. And while it’s simple to create an acrylic medium, don’t be fooled into a false sense of security. It can be difficult to create a solid and reliable acrylic medium yourself.
Like a baker working on loaf after loaf, this is simply a process you will need to work on in an iterative sense. Only then will you be able to craft consistent and well-made acrylic paint mediums for yourself.
An Artist’s Dream Medium
Acrylic medium is truly the Swiss Army Knife of the paint world. It allows for deep experimentation and expression for artists of all kinds. And in many ways, it’s a modern medium, representing a sort of recency in artistic expression.
If you want to extend the life of your acrylic, consider using a trusted thinning formula by a supplier. Nova Color Paint’s collection of thinning formulas are dream sealants. They are designed to work beautifully with both lab-made and DIY acrylics alike. Shop our mediums collection.