Be sure you thoroughly distribute the water throughout your acrylic. Failing to do so can result in clumping or an uneven color. Have paper towel on hand for blotting brushes once you are ready to begin painting. Too much moisture on your brush, or too much remaining moisture after you’ve cleansed your brush of a previous color, can severely thin your paint, which can lead to drips forming in your painting. [2] X Research source
The composition of each of these thinning agents will likely react differently depending on the kind of acrylic paint you are using. It’s best if you add your agent little by little, until it has the desired effect. [4] X Research source
You can add gesso by stirring it in with your paint using a clean paintbrush. Using gesso with water or another thinning agent may cause your paint to become too thin. [6] X Research source
For paint that is especially solid, press onto it firmly with your finger, the handle end of your brush, or your palette knife. If you notice an indentation form, this is a good sign that you may be able to revitalize your paint. [9] X Research source
You may find it easiest to set your palette down on a sturdy surface before attempting this. You should still maintain a good grip, as the smooth surface of your palette will be prone to slipping or sliding as you grind at the paint with your palette knife. [10] X Research source
This motion will force the water throughout the thicker, hardened parts of the paint. If after some minutes you notice no difference in the consistency of your paint, it is likely too dry to revitalize. [11] X Research source
Student grade acrylics are not necessarily less useful or desirable than artist grade paints. Student grade paints are excellent for large scale projects or any under-painting you may have to do. [13] X Research source
This is important to take into account, because if you plan on using a color-lifting technique, as you would with watercolor paints like gum arabic, it will not work with acrylics. Once the acrylic has been used in a wash and dried, you will not be able to rehydrate the paint.
With experience, you’ll likely begin to develop an intuition for how much a certain kind of paint needs to be thinned to achieve your desired color. To do this consistently, you should note the process you used when you achieve a particularly desired shade through thinning. One of the most common kinds of acrylic paints, and the one you’ll most likely be painting with, has a satin sheen, also called a semi-matte sheen. Other finishes common in acrylic paints are gloss and matte. [14] X Research source
In most cases, when an acrylic dries, it becomes water insoluble. This means that you can paint over your acrylic wash freely without worrying about paint running or the image becoming muddy. [15] X Research source
You may find that you can prevent the drying process by using a dampened piece of paper or card stock when blending. Don’t forget to mist your paints if you are using a plastic palette. [17] X Research source
The masking tape will keep the paint underneath protected from the second application of paint. Masking tape also has little risk of ripping paint free once you are ready to remove it from your painting. [18] X Research source
