My Journey of Discovering Acrylic Mediums
I wanted to share with you how I came about using acrylic mediums that I like to use today for layering colors and creating beautiful effects.
Ok, let's go back and start at the very beginning....
Back in my hobby days. I wanted to try out acrylics as I read about how fast they dry (I had tried realistic oil painting way in the past as a weekend hobby and although I loved that, I was now looking for something less messy and quicker to dry). I was also adoring all the beautiful acrylic art on the internet and was fascinated by the amount of styles that seemed to be possible. I was especially intrigued by some impasto abstract painting style at the time. And I learned that using a heavy gel medium would help create a lot of body and 3D effect.
So I went to the art store and grabbed a few acrylics... as I was a beginner, I naturally looked at the student section, grabbed few colors, some brushes, and some painting knives... and a heavy gel medium. So right off the bat, I started with that gel medium. And I had no idea what was to come later... as I didn't have a clue about mediums, but just this heavy gel was all I cared at the time
I created some painting (see below) with white impasto abstract flowers that I volumized with the heavy gel
(I adored this painting at the time - I still keep it at home as it marks the beginning of my journey with Acrylic paintings).
Have a look - here it is - Yep! Styles do change over time :))
I created similar designs for friends too as they saw mine and wanted one.. but I quickly grew out of the style.. as I felt I needed something new.. and less structured. I felt that I wanted to challenge myself with something quite different. Something a little more liberal, messy and intuitive... (not messy from a materials perspective but from style and strokes perspective).
I tried to skip on the heavy gel.. as I wanted to explore less thickness and more fluidity in my strokes.
I was curious about what's the deal with fluid acrylics and artist quality colors... those color options at the art store!... I knew I had to try them...so I grabbed 3-4 Golden Fluid colors to begin...and expanded slowly, as I knew once I tried them, that professional grade colors was what I would use going forward.
Golden Fluid Acrylic Paints - their smallest 1oz series
At one of those visits I stumbled upon the Catalyst Wedge at the art store, just accidentally. I hadn't seen it before, and I thought "that looks interesting" and like a nice contemporary and fun substitute for my painting knife.
Catalyst Wedge + Fluid Acrylics combined... gave me a big aha moment. Now, I was really on to something....
But something was missing.. While the fluid colors were gorgeous to layer and the wedge was more fun than I ever imagined... I wanted to have something more transparent, and something I can play more with (rather than fast drying).
So I read that fluid mediums could help me increase flow and delay the drying time... hmmm... sounded just perfect. So went back to the art store for investigation in the Golden and Liquitex mediums aisle... only to find myself lost in the entire section...
Catalyst Wedge W-06
Abundance of mediums
Starting from that day onwards, I tried a variety of fluid mediums, having absolutely no clue at that time why there is such a variety (and being in total confusion)... I was fascinated though as I saw the potential of creating something really interesting... I started to see that colors could become transparent, and I could keep moving and pushing paint around, without the immediate drying... and I found I could create such a variety of guestures (especially with the Catalyst Wedge).
Some mediums didn't work the way I wanted, I didn't like the stickiness some had or some just dried too fast, some were way too fluid... until I stumbled upon Glazing Liquid.. and I realized I found something special.
That's when I entered the next phase of my creative journey... where I knew I would keep exploring this material combination for a long time to come and see where it can take me.
I still like to experiment with different products and mediums, but glazing liquid has become my staple medium in creating glossy, vibrant, and translucent effects.
Totally grateful for the times we live in with such amazing products that expanded the realm of acrylic painting.
What's next, and what's in the future in my journey... after many more paintings and many more investigative trips to the art store and based on what calls me at that time , we shall see....
What are your most favorite materials and tools within your painting practice ? Was it love at first sight, or have you explored a lot like me to find what works?
Examples of Layering and Translucency with Glazing Liquid (Medium)
I share how you can create vibrant, colorful, and translucent layers in your abstract paintings with Acrylic paints & mediums in my course called "Vibrant Layers with Acrylics & Mediums". You can find out more about this learning opportunity and watch a preview video as well.
Comments
Patricia howell
November 5, 2019 at 9:13 pm
Hi Deniz, thank you so much for your blog. I have been painting with golden flow paints for a long time and as i have been awatercolourist i was using them to do glazes..This is the moment i fell in love with your exciting and creative paintings ..using the colours in the way ihave not see anyone use them before .my glazes were lacking in something ,but wow your way is absoltely incredible ..your generousity in sharing is exceptional and I thank you .I have used the gloss mediums too but again your way is wonderful .. i am very excited that you will be teaching this ..LOVE LOVE your work ,like no others .now i have to wait to enrol ..not sure i can stand the suspense .Deniz Altug
November 7, 2019 at 11:19 am
Patricia, thank you so much for your very kind comments!! I can’ wait to have you in the course soon