Kimberly A. Smith has been a freelance writer for two years. She graduated from the University of California at Davis and the California Culinary Academy, then pursued a career baking wedding cakes. During her time at CCA, she received certification in nutrition and food safety. She currently attends the University of Oregon School of Law.
Because acrylic paint is water-soluble, it can be thinned down to achieve a variety of textures and looks. Glazing with acrylic paint is one of the most popular techniques. It changes the appearance of an entire painting and can soften colors and shapes. Follow these easy steps to learn glazing techniques for acrylic paint.
Paint Your Image
The first step is to lay down the basic image on your canvas, as you wish it to look in the final product. Though the colors will change when you apply glaze, brush strokes may still show through so take care with this step. Consider the colors that you will be glazing with before you paint and you will have better results. Acrylic paints dry quickly, and you want this layer to be completely dry before moving on.
Choose a Medium
Glazing mediums are perfect for thinning paint as well as retarding the speed at which it dries. Because acrylic paints dry so quickly, they may begin to set before you have finished applying a layer of glaze to your image. Using a medium with a retarder can prevent that. Golden's Acrylic Glazing Medium is one of the most popular brands. It only takes a small amount of paint to achieve a good consistency.
Thin the Paint
A small amount of water can be added to the finished glaze to thin it further. Limit this to no more than 50 percent of the original amount of paint added to the mixture if you are already using a glazing medium.
Apply
Glazes can be applied with a brush or roller, depending on the outcome you want. Soft brushes provide a smooth appearance while bristle brushes may leave marks in the glaze. Rollers may leave a bubbly look on the surface of your painting.
Repeat
Multiple layers of glaze can be applied if you want to change the appearance of your painting further. Wait until the previous layer of glaze has dried before applying a second layer.
