What if you have matte or eggshell paint in a can and want to make it glossy?
How To Make Acrylic Paint Look Glossy
Acrylic paint is a type of permanent water-soluble paint that people generally use to paint in their homes. The chemicals contained in acrylic paint allow the paint to have much greater elasticity. This means the paint can expand and contract as the temperature in the home fluctuates.
Acrylic paint is a popular choice for walls because it offers superior intensity, something you don’t generally find with latex and oil-based paint options. Acrylic paint also dries faster, doesn’t have an unpleasant order like other paint types, and is resistant to fading and peeling.
When learning how to make acrylic paint look glossy, you will find you need to use a gloss varnish. Once the painting is done, and the paint is dry, apply a high gloss varnish. Polyacrylic varnish is good for most surfaces.
Read on for the step-by-step process of how to make acrylic paint look glossy.
Materials You Will Need
- Glossy acrylic varnish
- Paper plate or metal tray
- Stiff bristled brush
Before going into the steps below, you want to make sure to wipe down your walls with a lint-free cloth to remove any dust, dirt, or debris that can show up as you begin painting.
Step 1
Pour some glossy varnish onto a paper plate or metal tray. Make sure it is a varnish suitable for acrylic paint. Acrylic resin varnish tends to be glossier, stronger, and clearer than acrylic polymer varnish. So, to achieve the high gloss finish you want after painting, choose an acrylic resin varnish. Now dip the brush into the varnish.
Make sure the brush is clean and dry before dipping it into the varnish. Liquitex makes a product considered a gloss medium and varnish that can be mixed right into the paint you are using on your walls, allowing you to skip a step. You can also use it as your final coat of varnish when you are done painting.
How To Make Acrylic Paint Look Glossy? Color Making Guide
If you like art or are into home painting, then you may know a thing or two about glossy paints whether you like it or not. So, you may want to learn how to make acrylic paint look glossy? When it comes to art painting, some artists don’t hold back when showing their love for glossy paints. It’s thick and shiny and makes the colors of their paints pop! or stand out, some may not like it or just have a different type of style but there’s no doubt that glossy paints are a trendy topic among artists.
Glossy paints are basically known for their sheen. This is basically the definition of glossy paint, a type of paint that has gloss in it. But when referring to acrylic paint, we’re talking about acrylic paint that is known best for its fast-drying pattern depending on its modification with other substances. This brings us to our main topic of how to make acrylic paint glossy.
Acrylic paints are known for their ability to bond on different surfaces whether it’s paper or canvas, they can resemble watercolors and can also build thick layers of paints, and once dry, acrylic paints are considered to be non-removable. But it is very versatile and a favorite of many.
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How To Make Acrylic Paint Look Glossy?
They are many ways to make acrylic paint look glossy, and below we list a few:
Using Acrylic Mediums Base
Using acrylic mediums will give your paint a much glossier look, in this case, the artist has the option to dull or adds more shine to the painting by mixing different types of mediums with the acrylic paint before using, this will give your painting the desired look without having to varnish your painting once done or waiting long hours for it dry. Just mix it into your painting and paint as normal.
Acrylic paints are naturally glossy so these mediums are helpful depending on if you’re going for a more matte look or a varnishing look, the varnish gives your painting a glass-like type of look which most artists aim for. Mediums are very popular among artist but they are other types of glossy paint you can also use to add shine to your paintings such as art resin or varnish. These are specifically fabricated to prevent the yellowing of your painting and tend to be UV resistant, acrylic medium is a great example.
It basically depends on the type of painting you’re trying to achieve, either you’re trying to get a sheen look of the entire painting or just to add some shine to a particular part of your painting or a certain portion, these glossy paintings definitely comes in handy.
Applying Acrylic Varnish and Isolation Coats
To achieve a high glossy look on your paintings it is recommended to apply a high gloss of acrylic varnish once the painting is finished, this is also done to protect your painting or artwork from environmental pollution and allows acrylic paint to last longer. They are different types of varnishes you can choose from to highlight your artworks such as matte, satin, and gloss finishes depending on what exactly you’re trying to highlight. Different finishes can be used on the same painting or you can just add the varnishing to your overall painting as a final touch. Acrylic varnishing paintings are also known as transparent paint or glaze medium and they are definitely a favorite for artists who wish to bring out the colors of their paintings. Make sure the varnish you choose, is an artist-graded type of varnish which are those specifically designated for artworks.
Before applying the varnish, we need to make sure the paint is completely dry, it is recommended to wait at least a week before you start varnishing or until you are certain that the paint is completely dry, this is because although it may seem dry on the surface the below levels may take quite some time to dry. You should begin with thin layers of varnish, then add several more coats depending on the thickness and glossiness you’re trying to achieve in your painting.
To apply the varnish, you can choose a brush-on varnish, which is the most commonly used by artists or you can choose a spray-on varnish, depending on which is easier or you feel comfortable with. It is definitely suggested to add thin coats at a time and allow it to dry really good before adding another coat, adding too many coats and not thin enough will cause your varnish to crack and create unwanted white lines, artists definitely do their best to avoid this, so do not ruin their paintings.
Also, it is recommended to use a separator coat in between the varnish and your painting, this is commonly known as isolation coat, add it between your finished painting and the varnish you want to apply, as it will provide a physical separation or division from your paint. The varnish is used to apply shine or to highlight your painting but it is not permanent, therefore adding an isolation coat will allow you to remove or replace the varnishing which according to artists, lasts 5 to 10 years, this is the reason why adding an isolation coat is key. You can use a soft gel gloss for this purpose, mixing 2 parts of the gel into one part of water, it is also recommended to make enough so you don’t run out. Make sure you sign off your artwork before starting.
Tips to use Liquitex
Liquitex is known for its versatility since can be used for both varnishing and medium gloss which is great, mix it in your medium before you start painting, or just use it as a final touch when adding your final varnishing coats to your painting or artwork. It all depends on your unique style and what you find fun and comfortable to work with.
Liquitex has been around since 1955 and it prides itself on being able to offer so many different types of acrylic paints to the public, especially to artists who can choose between soft or heavy types of acrylic paints for their artworks. Liquitex is well known for its different types of ranges and consistencies and it is famous for working with renowned artists from all over the world.
The art world can be fun but sometimes challenging, artists do their best to try to find their particular style and try to see which painting works well for them. Acrylic painting. Prices can range anywhere from $13 to $30 depending on the size but there are tons of options available for your convenience. We hope you find these tips helpful and continue to fill the world with lots of colors.