How to Thicken Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is incredibly versatile, but sometimes it is just too thin for the texture or coverage you want. In this article I am going to show you the easiest way to thicken acrylic paint without losing vibrancy. You can watch the full video below, and then keep reading because I expand on the steps and include extra tips. I also have a free Acrylic Painting Supply List you can download to make gathering supplies even easier.

Watch the video

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Why Craft Paints Don’t Work

The first thing I want to clear up is that thickening does not work well with craft paint. Craft paints are those little bottles you find in the craft aisle at places like Walmart, Michaels, or Hobby Lobby. They are the cheapest paints available, but the problem is that they already have a very low amounts of pigment. This means they contain a lot of filler and water compared to higher quality paints.

When you try to thicken craft paint with a medium, you are diluting the color even more. The result is usually a dull, translucent paint that lacks vibrancy. That is why I recommend you skip craft paints for this method. Student grade paints are affordable and work just fine, and you can always upgrade to professional soft body paints as you grow.

Best Mediums for Thickening Paint

To thicken acrylic paint, you need the right medium. My go-to product is Golden Heavy Gel Medium, but the Liquitex Heavy Gel Medium (links to both below) works just as well. Both of these are designed to build body and texture without changing the color of your paint. They also maintain flexibility so your finished painting does not crack.

These mediums are easy to use. Just scoop out a bit onto your palette and start mixing it with your paint. They can make even thin paints feel creamy and substantial, which is especially helpful when you want to add brushstrokes, palette knife textures, or thicker layers.

Supplies Mentioned in This Video

Mixing the Medium and Paint

For student grade paints like Liquitex Basics, I like to start with about a 50/50 mixture of paint and gel medium. Place them side by side on your palette and blend them together until the consistency is even. The paint should look rich and thick without appearing watery or translucent. This is an easy way to make affordable paints perform like higher-end products.

With professional soft body paints like Liquitex or Golden, the process is similar but you may need to stir a bit longer. The heavy gel medium is much thicker than the paint, so it can look chunky at first. Keep mixing until it smooths out. If the mixture looks more transparent than you would like, just add a little extra paint to balance it.

Saving Your Thickened Paint

Once you have the perfect paint mixture, you will want to save it so it does not go to waste. Thickened paint can dry out quickly if left exposed, so the best option is to store it in a reusable palette system or airtight container. That way you can come back to it for your next session without having to remix every time. I use a simple setup that keeps my paints fresh for multiple uses, which saves time and money. Watch this video to learn more

Final Thoughts

Thickening acrylic paint is simple once you know which products to use and how to mix them. Skip the craft paints, grab a heavy gel medium, and you will get vibrant color with the body and texture you want. It is one of the easiest upgrades you can make to your painting process. If you want to keep improving your acrylic skills, check out my article on blending acrylic paint. It will give you even more control over your painting consistency and results.

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