How to Use Golden Acrylic Mediums

How to Use Golden Acrylic Mediums

One of the lovely things about working with acrylic paints are the mediums you get to accessorize with. Golden mediums are like extra tricks or tools in your back pocket.

Read on for a list of my 5 favorite acrylic mediums to use from Golden.

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I don’t know about you guys but I think I was really impacted by Easter colors this year:-). This painting is 36″ by 36″, acrylic on canvas. Visit the Gallery to see more of my art pieces.

5 Types of Acrylic Mediums by Golden

Golden is a well-known manufacturer of art supplies, including acrylic paint mediums. Some of the mediums produced by Golden for artists painting with acrylics include:

  1. Gel mediums: These are thick, viscous gels that can be mixed with acrylic paint to add body and texture to the paint. Golden produces a range of gel mediums, including heavy, soft, and extra soft gels, as well as self-leveling gels.
  2. Polymer mediums: These are similar to gel mediums but are more fluid in consistency. They can be used to create glazes, extend the paint, and enhance its adhesive properties.
  3. Fluid mediums: These are thin, liquid mediums that can be added to acrylic paint to increase its flow and reduce its viscosity. Golden produces several fluid mediums, including High Flow Medium, Airbrush Medium, and Pouring Medium.
  4. Molding pastes: These are thick, heavy-bodied mediums that can be used to create textured surfaces in acrylic paintings. Golden produces several molding pastes, including Light Molding Paste, Hard Molding Paste, and Coarse Molding Paste.
  5. Varnishes: These are clear, protective coatings that can be applied to acrylic paintings to protect them from UV light, dust, and other environmental factors. Golden produces several varnishes, including Gloss, Matte, and Satin.

These are just a few examples of the types of mediums that Golden produces for artists painting with acrylics. There are many other specialized mediums available as well, such as iridescent and interference mediums, that can add unique visual effects to acrylic paintings.

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“I dream of painting and then I paint my dream.” ~ Vincent Van Gogh

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This acrylic painting is 36″ by 48″ and titled “Wisteria.” Available for purchase at Art House Charlotte.

My Go-To Acrylic Varnish

When I complete an acrylic painting, I always varnish it with a glossy finish. This gives it an oil-painting likeness and aesthetic. There are several different kinds of top coats you can use but my favorite are the Liquitex High Gloss and Golden’s Spray Varnish.

The photos of these paintings were taken pre-glossy varnish. I typically like to snap a photo of the painting before I apply the last coat to avoid annoying light reflection in the camera.

Spray varnish is easier to use and a quicker application process. However, I typically use the liquid varnish. Liquid varnish is applied with a paint brush, so, you see the texture of brush strokes which contribute to a more authentic finish.

I really enjoyed creating these two floral inspired acrylic paintings. I typically set up a still life or series of reference pics, squint my eyes and abstract away! New to painting? Check out my posts on Art Making for Beginners to learn how to take the first step!

Happy creating.

~Alexandria