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Artist | Owner of Squishing Paint | Educator - Sara brings over 40 years of creative experience, a decade of specializing in acrylic painting, and a passion for guiding new artists as they embark on their own artistic journeys
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Acrylic mediums are products that you mix with acrylic paint to change the way it behaves—without weakening the color or binder. They can make your paint thicker or thinner, glossier or more matte, and even slower to dry. In short, they give you more control.
If you’ve ever struggled with your acrylic paint drying too fast, not blending the way you want, or feeling too thick or too thin, you’re not alone. When I first started painting, I used only the basics—cheap paint, cardboard, and a bit of water. I didn’t see the point in spending extra money on acrylic mediums. But then I saw artists on YouTube creating beautiful, misty landscapes, smooth blends, and rich textures with ease. That was my lightbulb moment.
This guide will walk you through what acrylic mediums do, why they matter, and how to choose the right one for your painting style.
Why Acrylic Mediums Are A Total Game-Changer
When I first started, I thought water was a good enough substitute for thinning my paint. But I quickly learned the hard way—adding too much water weakened the paint and sometimes left my colors looking dull.
Acrylic mediums are specially made to work with your paint, without breaking down the binding agents. That means you get smoother blends, better texture, and more consistent results. Whether you want slow-drying glazes, bold brushstrokes, or smooth coverage, there’s a medium that can help.
If you’re hesitant to try them, I get it. It might seem like a marketing gimmick, but trust me, once you experience how much easier mediums make painting, you won’t want to go back.
My Four Favorite Acrylic Mediums (And Why I Love Them!)
Not all acrylic mediums are necessary for every artist, but these four are my personal favorites. They solve common painting problems and are incredibly versatile.
Gloss Medium
Gloss Medium is a game-changer if you want your paintings to have a vibrant, glossy finish. It enhances color vibrancy, making colors look richer and deeper. It also works great for glazing, which is when you layer transparent colors over one another to create depth.
One of my favorite ways to use gloss medium is as an isolation coat before varnishing. This helps protect the painting, so if I ever need to remove the varnish, my paint stays intact. The first time I used gloss medium, I made the mistake of overworking it, which caused some cloudiness. Now, I apply it in thin layers and let it dry completely before adding more.
Check out my article on how to seal an acrylic painting to learn more about isolation coats.
Matte Medium
If you don’t want your paintings to have a shiny finish, Matte Medium is a great alternative. It reduces glare, making colors appear softer and more subtle. I love using it when painting landscapes because it helps create that hazy, distant effect.
One of my favorite exercises for learning to use matte medium is from Painting with Jane on YouTube. She has a challenge called “Mystical Forest” where you pick two colors—one opaque and one transparent—and use matte medium to create mystical landscapes. It’s a fantastic way to get comfortable with glazing and depth. She has about five of these type of tutorials, but her “Yellow and Grey Mystical Forest” is my favorite.
Golden Glazing Liquid
Golden’s Glazing Liquid is my absolute favorite medium, hands down. It does two things: it slows drying time and creates beautiful transparent layers. This is perfect for blending and adding depth to your paintings.
When I first started using glazing medium, I struggled with how much to load onto my brush. I kept using too little, and my paint would go on too thick. Eventually, I figured out the trick—load your brush with medium first, pick up just a little bit of paint, and then reload with medium. This method gives me the smoothest, most consistent results.
Extra Heavy Gel Medium
I love texture in paintings, and Extra Heavy Gel Medium is the best for adding thickness to acrylic paint. If you enjoy using a palette knife or want to create raised, sculptural effects, this medium is for you.
At first, I only used gel medium to thicken my paint, but over time, I found some unexpected uses for it. I’ve used it to adhere paper to canvas, creating a cool mixed-media effect. I’ve even used it to fill small holes in drywall (yes, really!). It’s flexible, strong, and can be tinted with any color.
If you want to see Gel Acrylic Medium in action, check out my article where I teach you how to adhere a paper painting onto canvas.
Other Acrylic Mediums and Their Uses
Beyond my top four favorites, there are plenty of other acrylic mediums you might find useful depending on your painting style.
- Gel Medium (Gloss/Matte) – Thickens paint while keeping it flexible. Great for collage, impasto and mixed media.
- Modeling Paste – Creates sculptural, 3D effects. Can be carved, sanded, or painted over.
- Texture Gels – Adds special effects like sand, glass beads, or fibers for high-texture surfaces.
- Retarding Medium – Slows drying time for better blending. Great for soft transitions but should be used in moderation.
- Flow Improver – Reduces paint thickness for smoother glide. It isn’t added to your paint but, instead, added to water.
- Fabric Medium – Makes acrylic paint flexible for fabric painting. Prevents cracking and stiffening.
- Glass Medium – Improves adhesion for painting on glass, ceramics, and non-porous materials. Some require heat-setting.
- Pouring Medium – Creates smooth, glossy paint pours with minimal cracking.
- Golden GAC Mediums – A set of mediums that improve adhesion, flexibility, consistency, and much more, for specific needs.
- Metallic Mediums (Iridescent/Gold/Silver) – Adds shimmer and metallic effects to paint.
How to Choose the Right Acrylic Medium
Choosing the right medium depends on what you want to achieve with your painting. If you struggle with blending, any of the mediums that specialize in glazing are a great place to start. If you love texture, try a heavy gel medium or modeling paste.
If you’re on a budget, start with just one medium that solves your biggest challenge. Golden’s Glazing Liquid is my top recommendation because it helps with blending, layering, and extending drying time—all in one bottle.
How to Use Acrylic Mediums (Step-by-Step Guide)
Using mediums is easy, but a little goes a long way. Here’s how to get started:
- Mixing on the Palette: This is my favorite method. Add a small amount of medium to your palette and mix it into your paint with your brush/palette knife before applying it to your canvas. This helps you see how it will behave before committing to it.
- Mixing Directly on the Canvas: Some mediums, like heavy gel or modeling paste, can be applied directly to the canvas before adding paint. This works well for creating texture.
- Avoid Overuse: Adding too much medium can make paint too thin or change how it adheres. Start with a small amount and add more if needed.
- Use Clean Brushes: Some mediums dry clear, but if your brush has leftover paint, it can make colors look muddy.
- Don’t Rush Drying Time: Some mediums, like gloss medium, can turn cloudy if you overwork them while drying. Apply thin layers and let them dry fully before adding more.
Important Note:
If you’re using a glazing medium, try testing it on a separate surface first. This will help you see if you’ve added enough medium before painting over important details. For instance, if you’re trying to create fog or mist with Titanium White you’ll need more medium to make it transparent enough to see the trees through the fog/mist. If you don’t test it out first, you run the risk of painting over your trees completely and having to redo them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are acrylic mediums?
Acrylic mediums are additives you mix with your acrylic paint to change its properties. They can alter drying time, texture, flow, and finish without affecting the pigment or binder. This lets you achieve different effects and techniques in your work.
Can I mix different acrylic mediums together?
Yes! Many artists mix mediums to get different effects. For example, you can mix gloss and matte medium to create a custom satin finish. Just be sure to test your mix on a piece of scrap paper/canvas first.
Can I use acrylic mediums with other types of paint?
Acrylic mediums are specifically designed to work with acrylic paints. They might not work as expected with oils or watercolors, so it’s best to use them only with acrylics. But, hey, if you want to experiment, go for it! You never know what new technique you could come up with!
Do acrylic mediums change the color of my paint?
No, they don’t change the color itself. They might affect the paint’s transparency, sheen, or thickness but the pigment stays the same. This helps you maintain color vibrancy while adjusting the paint’s behavior.
How do I mix an acrylic medium with my paint?
It depends on the medium. For example, retarder medium is mixed directly into the paint to slow drying time, while flow improver is usually mixed with water to thin the paint without diluting it. Always start with a small amount and test the mixture on a palette first.
How much medium should I add to my paint?
Start with a small amount—a little goes a long way. You can always add more if needed. The ideal ratio may vary by medium, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions and experiment on a test surface.
What’s the difference between flow improver and retarder medium?
Flow improver is used to reduce the paint’s surface tension, helping it flow more smoothly and evenly—this is especially useful for fine details. Retarder medium, on the other hand, slows the drying time of the paint, giving you more time to blend and work on wet-on-wet techniques.
Which medium should I start with as a beginner?
Many beginners find that starting with a glazing liquid or a gel medium is helpful. Glazing liquids help with blending, while gel mediums add body to the paint. Your choice depends on whether you want smoother blends or more texture.
What are some common mistakes beginners make when using acrylic mediums?
Common pitfalls include adding too much medium (which can thin out the paint too much), overmixing on the canvas, or not testing the mix first. It’s always a good idea to experiment on a scrap piece of paper before applying the medium to your finished work.
Not Sure What All The Terms Mean?
Here’s a quick paint term cheat sheet to help you make sense of it all before we wrap things up.
Final Thoughts & Personal Experience
Acrylic mediums can make a huge difference in your paintings, but you don’t need to buy them all at once. Start with one, experiment with it, and see how it changes your painting experience.
If you’re not sure where to begin, I highly recommend Golden Glazing Liquid—it’s my go-to for blending and layering. I also use gloss or matte medium and extra heavy gel medium regularly. These are the ones I’ve worked with for years and feel most comfortable recommending.
I’m still exploring some of the other mediums mentioned in this guide, but I haven’t found any that are part of my regular routine—at least not yet.
Once you get comfortable with one medium, try adding others to see how they enhance your work. If nothing else, it’s a fun way to play with your paint and discover new techniques.
Happy painting!