ONE OF THE MORE USEFUL MEDIUMS for an acrylic painter is glazing medium. It basically is the basis of fluid acrylic paint without the pigment. Traditionally glazing medium is used to create translucent layers of color. It can also be used to help your acrylics last longer than they normally would or as a binder for dry pigment so that you can make your own paint. In this demonstration, we will focus on creating depth through multiple layers of paint and glazes. The key to creating rich color in many cases is many light layers of paint. Mixing your paint with a touch of glazing medium keeps the paint bright and intact so that the beautiful color shines through. If you add too much water to a paint, it becomes dull and breaks down the binder, making it unstable. The result of too much water mixed with paint is potential cracking or peeling of the color on a surface.
Ampersand Claybord tile
Assorted fluid acrylic paints: Carbon Black, Indian Yellow, Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold, Teal, Titan Buff, Titanium White
Brushes
Fineline applicator
Golden high flow acrylic in Sepia
Jerry’s Jumbo Jet Black pencil
Matte medium
Paper towel
Spray bottle with water
Stencils
Stain the Claybord surface with black acrylic paint. Add water to the surface and wipe away random areas of paint to create a blackboard effect. Scratch the surface as you are wiping away paint with your fingers. Use a baby wipe if you find it hard to remove the paint.
Add a stencil design with Titanium White acrylic. The key to getting a good impression with a stencil is to use a dry brush and a minimal amount of paint. You can also use a cosmetic sponge. Once the white paint is dried, it will recede into the background after glazing over the top with additional paint layers.
Continue adding one or two more stencil designs if desired. Then scribble and write over the surface with a Jerry’s Jumbo Jet Black pencil. The pencil writes best if the paint is somewhat dry.
Once the stencil layer is dry, stain a section with Golden’s high flow in Sepia. Notice how the white design fades into the background.
Add a glaze of color using Indian Yellow around the tile. Gently stroke on the paint using a large brush. The color is translucent so you will create a glaze over the top of the surface.
Using glazing medium on the initial layer of Claybord will actually remove the subsequent layers. It’s important to know your surface and how it reacts with different products to achieve the effect you desire.
Repeat layers of stamps or stenciling. Add thin layers of color, bringing in Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold. Notice how the colors create depth as you add more layers.
Create a veil of paint over a portion of your surface. To do so, mix a small amount of Titan Buff with fluid matte medium. As described in previous experiments, the resulting effect is similar to frosted glass in that the paint will be semiopaque once dry.
Add sgraffito-style designs by inscribing into the tacky paint with the back of your brush. Pulling back the paint at this point reveals the underlayers, which add to the overall sense of depth.
Bring in a contrasting color (Teal) through stamping and splattering. These elements will create interest and complement your existing design.
Add final markings using a Fineline applicator filled with Titanium White fluid acrylic.
