Drying retarder for acrylic paints: features of use

Acrylic paints dry instantly on the surface of the substrate. However, fast drying is not always a useful property. In such cases, a retarder for the drying of acrylic paints can be used.

A retarder is called a thick gel-like mass without color (transparent). In the composition of such a mixture, glycol is present - a substance without a special odor, which helps moisture to linger longer in acrylic paints.

An indispensable retarder is considered in cases where it is necessary to work with a certain shade in order to obtain smooth transitions, to transfer all halftones, to denote feathering softer, and also to draw shadows. The drying time of acrylic paints depends on the volume of the added composition, which can take from 30 minutes to 5 hours.

When experimenting with auxiliary material, it should be understood that the amount of retarder introduced has a different effect on the behavior and the corresponding consistency of the resulting mass.

Undiluted colors are highly viscous. This will allow you to create a different texture, give a clearer relief to the paint layer, and apply larger strokes. This coating will dry in 40 minutes. The diluted color scheme stretches perfectly after the brush. Drying time is 10 minutes.

The additive, which promotes delayed drying, is easily mixed in a ratio of 1: 4. During the manufacture of the composition, no foam or bubbles are formed. The layers applied with a palette knife (a special spatula) practically do not differ in their pastiness from the color scheme without additives, therefore, this tool will become much more mobile during operation. Complete drying takes place in 3 hours.

By increasing the amount of auxiliary material by exactly half, (with a ratio of retarder and acrylic material of 1: 2), it becomes possible to create an texture, and you can also start working with a palette knife. In this case, the structure will be soft and streamlined in relief. During mixing, small bubbles may appear. A thin layer of this diluted color dries up in 3 hours.

This acrylic material spreads easily. Drying time is one hour.

When proportionally combining acrylic color with a retarder in a mixing ratio of 1: 1, a jelly-like mixture is obtained. The process itself is rather complicated. This composition is not suitable for a palette knife, but it will be easy to work with a brush thanks to the resulting jelly-like composition, creating free sliding along the canvas. The paint dries in 2 hours.

Various auxiliary materials add special properties to common acrylic paints. Colors become transparent, liquid or thick, opaque, glossy or opaque.

For versatility, acrylic colors are diluted with several separate additives at once. For example, a retarder is considered indispensable when you need to carefully work out colors.

To obtain a "haze", do not mix the paint with the auxiliary material. Water and retarder are added if it is necessary to paint a large surface of the embossing canvas (using a bag).

Too much retarder should not be added to acrylic colors to avoid unwanted changes in the paint composition. A large amount of auxiliary material promotes the appearance of bubbles, delayed mixing. You can add no more than 25% of the retarder based on the total volume of the acrylic mixture. Only in this way will it be possible to maintain a bright shine, increased spreadability and the required color density.

The technique of adding retarders to paints is usually used by artists when creating paintings with acrylics for "watercolor". For artistic decoupage, this technique is rarely used.

Common way:

• the brush is wetted in a special retarder;
• then wetted in paint;
• after that, strokes are applied to the palette from top to bottom and bottom to top. In the absence of a palette, plastic plates are used. This method will allow you to distribute the color over the fibers of the brush, mix the color with a moderator and see the resulting color;
• then you can start working.

If necessary, paints can always be diluted with water with the addition of a certain amount of retarder. The resulting composition must be thoroughly mixed. After the preparatory work done, you should proceed directly to painting the base. To do this, use a brush or a special sponge. If desired, an impression is made, for example, using a package.

See below for an example of using a retarder for acrylic paints.