Nancy.... You are a brilliant painter and teacher! I don't teach often, but if I did, I would assign my students to see your videos. You have the basics and science down pat! I was raised in Southern California where the humidity was often under 10% and leaving a brush with acrylics in it for just a few minutes could ruin it. In the 60's the additive of choice then to slow drying was propylene glycol. A thick slimy goo that came in tubes. I used some a few times but didn't like the snot like body it gave my paint. When I was 14, I requested a set of oils for X-mas. My parents instead got acrylics. I quickly got over my disappointment when I found how fast one can build up a work in several layers without waiting weeks for underpaint to cure, as the masters had to. I'm still grateful for the mixup because Acrylics taught me to Work Fast. 20 some years later I started my exploration of oils. It was like going to heaven and having your paints behave perfectly.
Hi Tim, thank you for sharing your story. It is good to try several mediums to find the one that feels like heaven! After all, our ultimate goal is to find a medium that feels so second nature to us we can easily express ourselves through it, without having the medium's limitations interfere with our process, slow us down, or create issues. In the last 30 years acrylic has gone far into new areas of development. It is now the most archival medium there is. But the BIG news (and not many people know this) is that you can now customize your acrylic paint in any way you want. You name an adjective (fast drying, thick, thin, opaque, transparent, etc) and there is an easy and inexpensive way to change that quality. I created a course called The Complete Guide to Acrylic Painting (bit.ly/2NgVieB) which demonstrates all these possibilities, and shows how acrylic is no longer the new kid on the block. Yes I'm a big acrylic fan, however, I was trained as an oil painter in art schools for my BFA and MFA. I switched to acrylic because of the limited non-toxic choices to make the oil into transparent glazes. In addition I have studied old master techniques covering everything from silver point to mixed media. I guess I'm a "paint tech geek"! I especially wanted to mention to you that there is a new slow drying acrylic paint called OPEN by Golden where the paints stay wet for 24 hours or more (its true I've tested it). OK enough convincing about acrylic. If oil is your medium then by all means use it! I still take out my oils at times - I think the smell of linseed and turps is intoxicating!
I have been solo painting for many years Now I am retired and can take aka lessons. You are so helpful. I was told I was gifted in high school but i was not permitted to pursue art as a career so I unconsciously fell away. So happy to be learning.
Hello Nancy, I must say your videos were very helpful , thank you so much 😊 .... I have a query about buying the large tub of medium and then shipping out a small quantity .... whilst doing that won’t the large tub eventually face the drying problem too ? It’s seal is also broken so how do you overcome that issue ?
Thanks Deborah! Hope you join one of my Painting Excellence Classes. I only teach it once a year. It is a 6 week online class with a small group (under 20) of artists.
My video uses all fine art non-toxic products, so I do not use Floetrol (not archival) or resin (toxic). I do explain in the video how to get the same effects using alcohol and pouring mediums for long lasting and best results.
Dear Nancy! amazing tips thank you! I have a question: for an acylic painting with gold leaf. I sealed the gold leaf patches; then used a thin layer of gloss varnish for acrylic (same as for gold leaf). Do I need to apply many coats of varnish of one coat only will do? thank you
The more coats of varnish you apply (assuming you are using an archival varnish with UV protection) the more UV protection you will have and the more you can keep colors from fading. One brush application is the same as four spray applications. So one brush application should be plenty. If you are spraying I recommend at least two coats but more would be better.
If the gold paint is acrylic you can use any varnish,water-based or solvent-based. I like to use a non-toxic water-based one like Golden's Polymer Varnish Gloss. If the gold paint is oil or solvent-based you can ONLY apply a solvent-based varnish over it. If you are talking about imitation gold leaf then I recommend the solvent-based one, because water-based varnishes will tarnish the copper in the imitation gold leaf.
Golden makes a product called Retarder. It is meant for use with acrylic paints and products. I do not know of any other brands that sell this ingredient by itself like this.
Nancy.... You are a brilliant painter and teacher!
I don't teach often, but if I did, I would assign my students to see your videos.
You have the basics and science down pat!
I was raised in Southern California where the humidity was often under 10% and leaving a brush with acrylics in it for just a few minutes could ruin it.
In the 60's the additive of choice then to slow drying was propylene glycol.
A thick slimy goo that came in tubes.
I used some a few times but didn't like the snot like body it gave my paint.
When I was 14, I requested a set of oils for X-mas. My parents instead got acrylics.
I quickly got over my disappointment when I found how fast one can build up a work in several layers without waiting weeks for underpaint to cure, as the masters had to.
I'm still grateful for the mixup because Acrylics taught me to Work Fast.
20 some years later I started my exploration of oils. It was like going to heaven and having your paints behave perfectly.
Hi Tim, thank you for sharing your story. It is good to try several mediums to find the one that feels like heaven! After all, our ultimate goal is to find a medium that feels so second nature to us we can easily express ourselves through it, without having the medium's limitations interfere with our process, slow us down, or create issues. In the last 30 years acrylic has gone far into new areas of development. It is now the most archival medium there is. But the BIG news (and not many people know this) is that you can now customize your acrylic paint in any way you want. You name an adjective (fast drying, thick, thin, opaque, transparent, etc) and there is an easy and inexpensive way to change that quality. I created a course called The Complete Guide to Acrylic Painting (bit.ly/2NgVieB) which demonstrates all these possibilities, and shows how acrylic is no longer the new kid on the block. Yes I'm a big acrylic fan, however, I was trained as an oil painter in art schools for my BFA and MFA. I switched to acrylic because of the limited non-toxic choices to make the oil into transparent glazes. In addition I have studied old master techniques covering everything from silver point to mixed media. I guess I'm a "paint tech geek"! I especially wanted to mention to you that there is a new slow drying acrylic paint called OPEN by Golden where the paints stay wet for 24 hours or more (its true I've tested it). OK enough convincing about acrylic. If oil is your medium then by all means use it! I still take out my oils at times - I think the smell of linseed and turps is intoxicating!
I have been solo painting for many years Now I am retired and can take aka lessons. You are so helpful. I was told I was gifted in high school but i was not permitted to pursue art as a career so I unconsciously fell away. So happy to be learning.
Thank you so much-I learned so much-❤🎉😊
You’re a natural teacher. I like how you go into detail. Just love your presentation (no worries about any red stripes. It’s a happy accident).
Thanks and glad you liked the video
Hello Nancy, I must say your videos were very helpful , thank you so much 😊 .... I have a query about buying the large tub of medium and then shipping out a small quantity .... whilst doing that won’t the large tub eventually face the drying problem too ? It’s seal is also broken so how do you overcome that issue ?
Hi nancy!! I love your work. I found a product called improved flow that can revive gels and paints and mediums
Thank you for your wonderful videos! I am new to acrylic and Am learning so much.
Thanks Connie for taking the time to add a comment here. I am so glad you are finding my videos helpful!
Stimulating ideas and information. Thank you.
Thank you dear Nancy
You are so welcome
Great lesson ...thanks alot 👍🌹
This was so helpful. I have your book Acrylic Illuminations and love it. I love your videos. Thank you so much!
Thanks Deborah! Hope you join one of my Painting Excellence Classes. I only teach it once a year. It is a 6 week online class with a small group (under 20) of artists.
Hi Nancy do you have any acrylic pouring videos? Or info on mixtures with Floetrol and also resin?
I do! Thank you for asking. Here's a link for my pouring videos, and other videos on acrylic painting. nancyreyner.com/media-store-new/
My video uses all fine art non-toxic products, so I do not use Floetrol (not archival) or resin (toxic). I do explain in the video how to get the same effects using alcohol and pouring mediums for long lasting and best results.
Thank you for your reply. Some artists don't reply. You are very kind.
Professional all the way
Dear Nancy! amazing tips thank you! I have a question: for an acylic painting with gold leaf. I sealed the gold leaf patches; then used a thin layer of gloss varnish for acrylic (same as for gold leaf). Do I need to apply many coats of varnish of one coat only will do? thank you
The more coats of varnish you apply (assuming you are using an archival varnish with UV protection) the more UV protection you will have and the more you can keep colors from fading. One brush application is the same as four spray applications. So one brush application should be plenty. If you are spraying I recommend at least two coats but more would be better.
Could you tell me how to varnish a painting after using gold paint some of which had a solvent. Which I will not use in the future.
If the gold paint is acrylic you can use any varnish,water-based or solvent-based. I like to use a non-toxic water-based one like Golden's Polymer Varnish Gloss. If the gold paint is oil or solvent-based you can ONLY apply a solvent-based varnish over it. If you are talking about imitation gold leaf then I recommend the solvent-based one, because water-based varnishes will tarnish the copper in the imitation gold leaf.
Thanks a lot
I love mixing cold wax and oil, can you mix cold wax and acrylic paint?
Hi Brian, you can definitely mix cold wax and oil, but not with acrylic to make sure your painting will not have any issues.
That's what I thought. A Shame.
Thank you so much!
You are very welcome!
Great video, excellent information for a newbie. The women with the wooden spoon was very distracting though!
I'm not sure I know what you mean by the women with the wooden spoon is. But thanks for your comment.
During your link you had several people on the right of the screen, one woman was using a wooden spoon to itch her back. Funny but distracting 😂
Oh that is too funny! I had not noticed that but will have to play it again to see.
What retarder to use????
Golden makes a product called Retarder. It is meant for use with acrylic paints and products. I do not know of any other brands that sell this ingredient by itself like this.