How to dilute acrylic paint for drawing. Acrylic paints dried up, what to do? Why dilute acrylic paints

One of the most popular, colorful and easy-to-work paints are acrylics. Since their main component is water, they dry out very quickly. How to dilute dried acrylic paint so that it is no different from the one just purchased, we will consider further.

Features and properties of acrylic paint

About fifty years ago, acrylic paints appeared, but during this time they have become the most popular among other types of this finishing material. With their help, the ceiling, walls, floor, wooden, metal, plastered surfaces are painted. Their popularity is high due to the presence of such advantages:

• environmental friendliness - the acrylic paint solution does not contain substances harmful to the environment, and therefore is absolutely safe;

• acrylic paints are comfortable to work with, as they do not have a sharp and unpleasant odor;
• differ in a huge color palette, have the greatest number of colors and shades, in comparison with other types of paints;
• after applying the paint, you do not need to wait a long time for it to dry;
• the painted surface becomes elastic, well washable, and the paint, even after washing, does not wear out;
• dirt and dust do not accumulate on the surface of the paint;
• the acrylic paint coating allows air to pass through, thereby allowing the surface to breathe, but does not allow water to pass through;
• when choosing a quality manufacturer of acrylic paint, it can last more than ten years.

Acrylic paint photo:

The main components of acrylic paint are:

• pigment;
• binder component;
• water.

In the form of a binder, a material of synthetic origin acts, which is called an emulsion based on polymer acrylics. The drying of the paint occurs due to the rapid evaporation of water, at the end of this process, an elastic film is created that covers the surface. The paint does not crack, frost-resistant, resistant to delamination and does not crumble.

The separation of acrylic paints occurs in relation to their:

• application;
• resistance to physical influences;
• degree of whiteness;
• glitter.

Acrylic paints are used for painting interior or exterior surfaces, depending on the application. Paints are universal or combined.

Among acrylic paints, there are types with the properties of moisture resistance, light resistance, resistance to mechanical stress.

Acrylic paints are used not only in the construction industry, but also in the artistic field. Acrylic is used to paint glass, make ceramic products, paint on leather, paper or canvas.

Some paints differ in scope, as they are intended for application to brick, concrete, plaster, wood or paintwork surfaces.

To paint the walls, floor or ceiling in a room in which there is optimal humidity and air temperature, a special type of acrylic paint is used. Its properties make it possible to cover both plastered and embossed or plasterboard surfaces.

How to dilute acrylic paints

Before answering the question of how to dilute acrylic paint, let's try to figure out the reasons why this should be done.

According to its structure, acrylic paint has a rather thick consistency, so if it is not diluted before work, it will lead to inconvenience in application and its uneven distribution on the surface. Another reason why acrylic paint should be thinned is when it is used after a long period of exposure. If it is planned to restore furniture or create a picturesque masterpiece with acrylic paint, then its dilution is mandatory before use. If this is not done, then the traces of the tool with which the paint is applied will be displayed on the structure of the painted surface.

Acrylic paints are water-based paints, so water is their very first and main diluent. Although, after applying the paint, the coating becomes waterproof. Therefore, it is recommended to clean all the tools that were used in the process immediately after applying the paint, before it dries.

Another thinner option is the material recommended by the paint manufacturer. To do this, refer to its instructions. Special proprietary type solvents change the characteristics and features of the paint, for example, make the surface glossy or matte. Therefore, before choosing a solvent, it is necessary to know all the properties of the paint.

Dilution of acrylic paint with water: proportions and features

If, nevertheless, water is chosen as a solvent for acrylic paint, then you should read the recommendations that will help make the paint of the desired consistency and will not affect its properties in any way.

Use only clean and cold water. Before mixing all the paint with water, you should conduct an experiment and determine the exact amount of water needed to dilute it.

Prepare a pipette or a dropper bottle that can measure the amount of water in drops. Proceed to determine the proportions and consistency of the paint. The most popular proportional paint dilution options are the addition of water in a ratio of one to one, one to two, one to five, or one to fifteen.

Let's look at these options in more detail:

• if the paint is diluted with water in a ratio of one to one, then you get a paint that is suitable for applying the base layer, it fits well on the surface, is quite thick, but does not stick to the brush, evenly and evenly paints the surface;
• when using paint dilution in a ratio of one to two, a material is obtained that is high in liquid, which fits well on the brush; when applying such paint to the surface, the layer will turn out thin and even;
• if you take five times more water for one part of the paint, then the paint will take on the appearance of colored water, which penetrates well between the villi of the roller or brush, and the layer turns out to be light and slightly noticeable, this option is suitable for painting textured parts or surfaces, since the paint is well is absorbed and does not remain on convex elements;
• if acrylic paint is diluted in a ratio of one to fifteen with water, you get ordinary water with a small amount of coloring pigment, it is used to create gradient colors or to build a smooth transition between two tones.

Dilution of acrylic paints intended for painting on walls

To create a unique masterpiece on the wall or just to decorate it, they use multi-colored acrylic paints, which are sold in small boxes. They are also used by artists to paint on canvas.

1. In order not to overdo it with the amount of water, use a pipette. To dilute such paint, use a dry or important palette. If they have a cap, then breed them in it.

2. The place of dilution of the paint depends on the speed of its drying. It is recommended to dilute acrylic paints on wet palettes.

3. The consistency of this paint depends on what tone is required to color the picture. If you need a pronounced color, dilute the paint in a ratio of one to one, otherwise, increase the amount of water.

When using water as a thinner, make sure that it is free of foreign chemicals and other elements. It is recommended to use water that has stood for several hours. Make sure that the paint does not get on other non-paintable surfaces, if this happens, then it should be removed immediately with a damp cloth.

When applying paint with an airbrush, the paint composition must be uniform and of high quality. In this case, it is better to use purchased thinners recommended by the paint manufacturer. With their help, the consistency of the paint will become optimal for application with an airbrush.

The use of a thinner for acrylic paint significantly changes its properties, namely:

• surface appearance;
• layer strength;
• color and shade.

For these purposes, special solvents are used, the composition of which changes the properties of the paint. Be sure to use only those thinners recommended by the manufacturer. Since an unsatisfactory result of work is possible, which will appear immediately after the paint has dried or after a certain period of time.

The addition of thinner to the paint occurs gradually, while it is recommended to use a construction mixer to mix it evenly. To change the color of acrylic paint, use special toners. They allow you to get almost any color and its shade. Pre-add a little toner to a small amount of paint, select the desired color and apply it to the surface to see how it looks, and then add the toner to all the paint.

To apply paint, use a roller, brush, spray gun - it all depends on the surface on which the paint will be applied, its features and area. We should not forget that after the acrylic paint dries, it changes a little in color, so first apply a little paint on the surface and wait for it to dry, if this shade suits you, then feel free to apply all the paint.

It is desirable that a small amount of paint remains in the jar, since it will be quite difficult to get the desired shade after a while, and the paint may be needed for restoration.

After using acrylic paint, it happens that a little paint remains, and in order to return it to its previous state after a while, it will take a lot of work. The whole reason is that acrylic paint has a water base, and, after a certain period of time, the water gradually evaporates, when this process is completed, the paint polymerizes. This process is irreversible, therefore, the less moisture is in the paint, the worse its quality characteristics become.

The process of restoring the paint should begin based on its appearance. If there are small clots in the paint can and it has not yet completely thickened, then you should add ordinary acrylic thinner or water with alcohol to it.

If the paint is very dry, try to grind it into a powder, and then pour some hot boiling water into the box, after a few seconds, drain the boiling water from the paint and repeat the procedure again. When the paint warms up, leave the third poured water in the jar and stir the paint. Of course, the qualitative characteristics of such paint will be much worse than that of fresh paint, since it contains small lumps and a layer on the painted surface will become less durable.

If acrylic paint has dried to such an extent that it resembles a large and elastic lump, then it is better to throw away such paint, although you can try to reanimate it before doing so. To do this, it should be crushed and heated with boiling water, as in the previous method, but instead of ordinary water for the third time, water with alcohol should be added. In this case, the quality of the paint will suffer significantly.

The final result of the work depends on the thickness of the paint, so it is very important to pay a lot of attention to the process of thinning acrylic paint. If the paint is of a rather thick consistency, then the stripes and joints that the brush or roller leaves will be very noticeable after it dries.

Therefore, before application, it is recommended to dilute and then mix the acrylic paint very well. Some types of paints require dilution with water, while others do not. Therefore, before starting work, be sure to read the instructions. If a film appears on the surface of the paint, you should get rid of it. It does not need to be mixed with paint, as it forms lumps that will be visible when stained. After removing the film, strain the paint to finally get rid of micro-lumps. It is possible to add additional components to acrylic paint that increase its resistance to fungus or mold.

When choosing a tool, you should proceed from the area to be painted. If it is small, then a brush will be enough, and when painting large areas, it is recommended to use a roller or spray gun.

While working with the brush, hold it at a slight angle in relation to the surface to be painted. It is not necessary to touch the bottom of the dish in which the paint is located with the brush to avoid deformation of its bristles. Do not wipe the brush on the dishes with paint, it is recommended to shake it gently. The strokes of the brush should be uniform, and the stripes should be wide. Gently blend the joints between them. If you need a smooth surface, avoid crossing stripes or strokes. Apply paint twice, the first stroke of the brush is directed upwards, and the second downwards. Periodically change the side of the brush that is used to apply paint to the surface so that the bristles wear evenly. If the paint is applied intermittently, then the brush should be constantly washed, because even after a few minutes it hardens and becomes unsuitable for further work.

When choosing a roller, you should decide on its optimal size. This is affected by the size of the surface to be painted. Use special baths that will ensure comfortable work with this tool. Make sure that the roller is completely saturated with paint during the immersion process. Prepare a non-working surface on which the roller will be run in after it has been immersed. If this is not done, then the surface will become stained. Start applying paint from the areas farthest from the corners, spread the paint over the surface, and make sure that the strokes overlap.

When painting a surface, the pressure on the roller or brush is also of great importance. If it is weak, then the layers will be uneven and with gaps. With strong pressure, streaks will form that will adversely affect the appearance of the painted surface. If an unpainted area forms on the surface, do not paint over it with thick acrylic paint, it is recommended to apply a thinner layer that will remove all defects and connect this area with the general painted area.

If the paint is applied in several layers, then during their application it is recommended to wait several hours until the previous layer of paint has completely dried. Otherwise, the second layer will simply wash out the paint and ruin the surface. If small spots form, sandpaper will help get rid of them.

Acrylic paint video:

Acrylic paints for drawing combine the characteristics of watercolor and oil. The main feature of these paints is that the dried image takes on a filmy appearance and becomes protected from exposure to water and sunlight. Using this material is not difficult, given a few important points.

When working with acrylic paints, one of the most burning questions that beginners worry about is what are acrylic paints made of? How to dilute paints by numbers? Can acrylic paints be restored if they are dry? If so, how can they be revived? How to revive acrylic enamel if it is dry? What brush to use? How to paint with acrylic paints on canvas? How to paint water with acrylic paints?

Acrylic paints for drawing combine the characteristics of watercolor and oil

Acrylic paints are most often used for decorative painting and crafts. This material has a covering ability, that is, one dried layer can be applied to another, while the applied pattern or texture is not damaged.

In order to master the skills of painting with acrylic paints, you will need a set of 6 colors and the following recommendations:

1. As a basis for drawing, you can take wood, plastic, glass, paper, cardboard, canvas.
2. In the process of drawing, it is allowed to use synthetic and natural brushes. It is worth considering that with the help of synthetic brushes a thinner layer is applied than natural ones.
3. In the process of working with acrylic, you can use a palette knife. This tool will allow you to apply textured bright strokes.
4. Paints are diluted with water or a special solvent on the palette. The material must be diluted carefully so that it does not become too liquid. To draw with lessers, it is necessary to dilute the material to a watercolor state, and alla-prima can not be diluted. Undiluted paints are applied to the base only with synthetic brushes or a palette knife.

Acrylic paints are most often used for decorative painting and crafts.

How to dilute acrylic paints?

Before diluting the material, you need to decide on the basis for drawing. For painting on walls, you can dilute the material with plain water. For decorating glass, ceramics, furniture, and other wooden bases, it is best to use specialized thinners.

When diluting the material with water, it is necessary to collect only clean and cool liquid. Most often, acrylic is diluted with water in the following proportions: 1:1, 1:2, 1:5. Moreover, the use of each proportion gives the paint special properties:

• 1:1 - used to form the initial layers. This application is due to the fact that the paint becomes more fluid and does not accumulate on the brush;
• 1:2 - used for secondary layers, as the brush is perfectly saturated with pigment and distributes it in an even layer;
• 1:5 - used in glazing technique, since this composition allows the pigment to penetrate into the pores and form a translucent layer. It is impossible to achieve such an effect if the pigment is diluted with a special solution.

To obtain a gradient, the pigment is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:15.

What to do if acrylic paints are dry?

Acrylic can be used for painting even after drying. But in order to return their consistency, you need to know a few tricks. It is worth considering that it will not work to dissolve the dried paint with cold or warm water, since this material acquires a film structure and is not subject to destruction under the influence of low temperatures. Therefore, if the paints are dry, boiling water is used to dilute them. The return of the pigment to a liquid consistency is carried out according to the following instructions:

1. The dried piece is crushed and transferred to a bowl.
2. Then the mass is poured with boiling water.
3. As the liquid cools, it should be updated.
4. After all the crushed parts are saturated with water, the paint will be suitable for drawing again.

It is worth considering that most experienced craftsmen do not dilute dried acrylic, as its properties will be somewhat different from fresh paints. For example, the main disadvantage of pigments diluted in this way is their heterogeneity, due to the fact that some lumps did not dissolve in boiling water.

How to draw with acrylics (video)

Acrylic paints for plastic and glass - is there a difference?

Most manufacturers produce various types of acrylic, among which you can find material for painting glass and plastic. Acrylic for glass is designed specifically taking into account the characteristics of the material. Most often, such a material is distinguished by a glossy sheen, translucency of the pigment. Such features allow you to create a sparkling painting on a glass surface, imitating stained glass windows.

Most manufacturers produce various types of acrylic, among which you can find material for painting glass and plastic.

The use of acrylic for plastic for glass processing is possible, but this material will not be able to maximize the elegance of light overflows in the product. Acrylic for painting on plastic surfaces and canvases has a rich opaque color that allows you to overlap the color of the previous layer. With the help of this feature of the material, you can create the most beautiful crafts, making plastic more elegant by forming a layered texture on its surface.

The composition of acrylic paints

Acrylic is made from acrylic resins. They are polymers that, when dried, form a structure that retains the pigments that are part of the paints as an additional component. Acrylic pigments can be inorganic, natural or synthetic. Most often they are a dry powder that fills the base with color and makes it less transparent.

Acrylic is made from acrylic resins.

The resulting film after drying is formed due to the presence of polyacrylates and polymethacryls in the paint composition. In addition to these components, fillers are also added to acrylic - large pigment particles, a binder necessary for gluing solid particles.

The best acrylic paints for painting

There are many manufacturers who make acrylic paints for painting. However, not all acrylic products are of high quality and reliability. For example, some manufacturers use low-quality raw materials in order to reduce the cost of their products. And such a move, in turn, affects the quality of the colorful material, for example, after drying, many of them begin to crack or lose their brightness. To avoid such problems, it is necessary to give preference to trusted manufacturers, the best of them are presented below:

1. Acrylic color - produces products in tubes. The consistency of the material is quite liquid, therefore, in most cases, dilution with water is not required. This material does not allow the use of a palette knife for drawing.
2. Gamma is a medium-priced acrylic suitable for beginners to paint. The consistency of the pigment is quite thick, so it can be further diluted with water or thinner. Allows you to draw both with a palette knife and a brush.
3. Nevskaya Palitra and Ladoga - acrylic, improved quality. It is used for drawing by professionals, students of art schools and universities. They form a beautiful texture of strokes, and also retain their color qualities and structural features.

Step by step acrylic painting: lesson (video)

Acrylic-based paints have become one of the most successful introductions of the modern chemical industry. For all their apparent simplicity, they are surprisingly well suited for all types of finishing work, as well as for artistic purposes. How to dilute acrylic paint is a topical issue for any person who is faced with the need to use it.

The characteristic features of the dye is that it is suitable for any type of surface, with the exception of some types of plastic that are rarely found in everyday life. It is possible to create an unlimited number of colors. Another difference between acrylic paint is high environmental friendliness, since the composition has no odors, no harmful substances are emitted. Most importantly, acrylic is fireproof.

The dye that is on the shelves of commercial enterprises is too thick for immediate use. Its consistency must be brought to a state suitable for the purpose of use. Sometimes, due to improper storage, there is a need to reanimate the composition. In any case, you need to know how to dilute the acquired, which substances are best suited for the required purposes and how to use them correctly.

The second name of acrylic dyes is water dispersion, this is due to their chemical composition. Despite the presence of water, their striking feature is that after drying they are not affected by moisture, forming a strong film, so they can be used as facade paint.

Regardless of the manufacturer, all acrylic-based paints have a similar composition:

• Pigment is an insoluble powder that imparts color. It can be obtained synthetically or from natural ingredients.
• Acrylic resin is the binding element. After drying has passed, the pigment is retained in the resulting film.
• Water or organic solvent- it depends on the manufacturer, determines the degree of viscosity.
• Fillers and additives- give the dye specific properties depending on the purpose.

On the video: all about acrylic paints.

Thinner or solvent?

Very often, novice masters replace concepts such as thinner and solvent. To get the desired effect when painting with acrylic paints, you need to distinguish between them. Otherwise, the dye can only be thrown away. So, what are the differences between these compositions:

• If solvents are added to acrylic paint, its properties will change. This will be the reflectivity of the painted surface, as well as the speed at which the layer dries. In addition, with the help of solvents, paint is removed from those places where it has dried.

• Thinners for paints do not affect their properties. With the help of them, only the consistency and, accordingly, the saturation of the color change. You can achieve the effects of a translucent layer and textured coating. To dilute acrylic-based enamels, water is used.

Preparation for work

If you decide to use acrylic dyes to achieve your goals, then you need to start preparing. All their charm lies in the widest scope. You can create works of art by painting pictures, use in repair and decoration, and such paints can even be used for furniture restoration.

But in its pure form, the use of acrylic paint will not bring the desired effect. Due to the density of the dye, the painted surface will become a reflection of the relief pattern of the tool that applied the composition. Therefore, dilute solutions are used.

Dyes are produced for various purposes: for external or internal work, for creating paintings by numbers. Therefore, when answering the question of how to dilute acrylic wall paint, it is important to study the instructions. The diluent can be either water or an acrylic thinner.

Before diluting acrylic paint with water, you need to make sure that there are no impurities in it, and that the temperature is not more than 18-20 o. You will need to prepare small containers for trial dilution. The main thing is that they can determine the amount of ingredients used.

Experienced craftsmen identify several basic proportions for diluted paint, you can mix it in different ways, after experimenting:

1. When choosing a ratio of one part of water to one part of the purchased paint, there is no longer the appearance of clots on the staining tool. The color of the surface is even and uniform, but the consumption of the composition is quite high.
2. If the amount of water is doubled, the paint dissolves and becomes quite liquid. Completely impregnates the tool. This composition is easy to type on a brush, ideal for smooth surfaces.
3. When adding one part of the base to five parts of water, the substance becomes too liquid. She paints those elements in which it is necessary to emphasize the texture, or parts with complex geometry are selected for coloring.
4. When diluted to a ratio of one to fifteen, tinted water is obtained. It is used to create gradient transitions.

Some manufacturers recommend using only special solvents for acrylic as a thinner. Otherwise, the paint will become like rubber. Therefore, choosing how to dilute acrylic paint, you should carefully read the instructions.

Whatever you choose, the technique for how to dilute acrylic is the same:

• Prepare a container of sufficient volume and measuring rulers.
• Pour the required amount of base paint into it, check the level with a ruler, mix.
• Prepare the required volume of liquid for dilution, check its quantity.
• Slowly add acrylic paint thinner to the base stock, stirring continuously to obtain a uniform mixture.
• If you need an acrylic enamel with rigidly defined parameters, for example, for painting an automotive part, to determine the viscosity, use a viscometer.
• Filter the solution if necessary.

Despite being mostly water-based, once acrylic paint has dried, it is very difficult to remove. The tool used should be washed immediately in soapy water or an acrylic thinner should be used. Otherwise, it will not be possible to soak the tools, they become unusable.

Solvent application

There are no special rules for the use of acrylic thinner. The compositions themselves can be divided according to their purpose: changing the properties of the dye and washing. The latter removes the dye from any surface except the skin, so if it gets on your hands, immediately wash it off with soapy water.

To paint a picture, there is a choice of which acrylic solvents to use, since the effects are different:

• give the paint a soft matte or glossy character;
• change in drying time;
• improvement of paint flow, for covering large surfaces.

Therefore, how to dilute acrylic paint for drawing will depend on your artistic intent.

Acrylic paints for painting have become very popular, especially paint by numbers, which have a ready-made stencil and indicate the positions where the dye needs to be applied. Whoever draws, the effect will be amazing.

Causes of drying paint and its restoration

Acrylic paint can dry out due to poorly closed storage dishes, since the drying mechanism is reduced to the evaporation of the diluting element. After that, the chemical reaction of the combination of the resin with the coloring composition begins, and a dense film is formed.

What to do if the paint is dry? The answer is in the instructions, but it should be remembered that in most cases it will most likely not be possible to return its original color. She will fade. When the paint is restored, the coating becomes uneven.

To restore the composition, grind it to a powder state and dilute it with boiling water. You can dilute dried paint using a water bath. Some masters recommend the use of diluted alcohol or vodka, and it revives the composition. If there is no alcohol, the paints dissolve with water. The dissolution is repeated several times until the mixture collects the required amount of liquid. But it is better not to use dried acrylic paint. But if the paint has thickened, then it can be restored. The thickened solution is diluted with the required amount of water.

Now you know how to dissolve acrylic, what to do to give the coating a lot of visual effects, how to dilute facade paint and how to make it retain its properties. But before the acrylic paints dry, it is better not to finish.

Tips for working with acrylic paints (2 videos)

Different types of acrylic paints (30 photos)

Paints were invented a long time ago, but the process of obtaining them is being improved all the time, since many requirements are imposed on their properties. This includes fire and environmental safety, as well as ease of use.

Acrylic paints are the most successful development for art and finishing work, because when working with them you get incomparable pleasure. They are easy to mix with each other, which allows you to get bright and saturated colors. The shade range is unusually wide, and this is important when creating complex color effects. Acrylic paints are enjoyed by professionals, designers and just amateurs to create their masterpieces.

Acrylic paints dry very quickly, since their main element is ordinary water. Once the paint has dried, it becomes weatherproof so it can be used for both exterior and interior applications. Acrylic paints can be used to paint everything: paper, wood, metal, glass, concrete and whatever your heart desires, up to dried flowers, giving them a second life in the form of interior elements.

When selling acrylic paints, they usually have a very thick consistency and, for ease of use, they almost always dilute it, as a result of which the coating is as even as possible. Acrylic paints are not diluted when creating various curls, flowers and other design elements on female nails. Here, the density of the paint helps to create the volume of the applied pattern, making it more lively and beautiful.

How are acrylic paints diluted?

When using acrylic paints for restoration purposes or for the implementation of artwork, they must be diluted. If the paints are not diluted, they will repeat the structure of the tool used for painting, that is, brush or roller marks will remain.

Acrylic paints contain water, so they can be diluted with cold and filtered water. The most interesting thing about these paints is that after drying they become water resistant. Therefore, after working with these paints, all tools must be cleaned immediately, otherwise you will have to buy new ones every time you use the paint.

Acrylic paints can be diluted with special solvents, which are produced by paint manufacturers. Solvents work a little differently than water, as they change not only its density, but also its properties. With the help of a solvent, the paint becomes glossy or matte, so remember this when choosing a solvent, otherwise you risk getting an unpredictable result.

The composition of acrylic paints

All acrylic paints are identical in composition and contain only three elements, where the main one is water. The pigment is necessary to give the paint a certain color, and a special resin is a binder. Each manufacturer has a binder resin and a pigment of its own design, so it is not recommended to mix paints from different manufacturers with each other.

The result is an environmentally friendly paint, which during the work does not smell and does not emit toxic substances into the environment. The paint does not ignite due to the presence of water in its composition, so it is suitable for use in residential and office buildings.

Acrylic paints can vary in intended use and the manufacturer's recommendations should always be read. But in any case, paints of this category have many advantages over other paints:

• dry quickly;
• resistant to any external influences;
• do not lose color over time.

What should be done to prevent acrylic paints from drying out?

• It is always necessary to dilute or mix acrylic paints in a separate bowl, as they dry fairly quickly.
• The container with paint should always be tightly closed, this will slow down or stop it from drying.
• The edge of the container should not be in the paint, as the paint perfectly glues the surfaces together.
• All tools are washed in soapy water to avoid damage.

To understand how to dilute dried paint, you need to understand the process of its drying. The presence of water in the paint means that during its use, the moisture will quickly evaporate, after which the resin begins to harden. The color pigment does not change its properties, but it reacts with the resin, forming an even and uniform coating. When acrylic paint is re-diluted, it can fade and even lose its original color. Water for thinning the paint should be clean and cold, which must be added in small portions and thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous paint composition is obtained.

How to dilute acrylic paint if it is dry?

In some cases, it will not work to dilute acrylic paint, the manufacturer must indicate this on the packaging. The necessary diluent is also indicated there. In the event that the packaging is not preserved, you can use a universal solvent for acrylic resins. Since solvents can be glossy or matte, be sure to warn the seller about this when choosing. The solvent is added in small portions to the dried paint, after which it is necessary to knead it until the lumps completely disappear.

To restore acrylic paint, you can use warm alcohol with water or vodka, but before diluting all the paint, you need to experiment on a small amount of paint. As experts advise, it’s better not to experiment, but to buy a special solvent, while the paint will completely retain its original color.

In the event that the paint is completely dry, it must be kneaded to a powder state. After that, boiling water must be poured into a container with paint. When the water has cooled, it must be drained through cheesecloth. This procedure must be repeated several times until the paint has absorbed the right amount of water. After each heating, the paint must be stirred until it becomes sufficiently liquid.

It is very difficult to dilute a heavily dried acrylic paint, and it must be remembered that its original qualities will not be restored in full, even if the desired density and uniformity are obtained. First of all, the shade of the paint may change, it will no longer lie so evenly and will have an uneven color, which is very noticeable on large surfaces to be painted. For painting small surfaces, they are quite suitable, but it is still better to purchase new paints or not allow them to dry completely, periodically checking them and diluting them if necessary.

"Anyone can become an artist!" - Today this motto is more relevant than ever. Yes, yes, do not be surprised, in our time, anyone can feel like an inventive Leonardo da Vinci or an expressive Van Gogh. After all, it used to be that in order to paint your canvas, you had to study at an art school for years or, at least, finish expensive drawing courses. And everyone, regardless of gender and age, can create their own still life, portrait or landscape in just 3-5 days - just like a real master exhibiting in famous galleries.

What is the reason for this phenomenon? In paintings by numbers, which are gaining more and more popularity in the 21st century. After all, they allow to reveal the creative potential of everyone who craves it, even if they do not have enough experience or free time.

Drawing on the principle of "all inclusive"

Best of all, any home painting kit already comes with everything you need: numbered paint jars, one or more brushes, instructions, a checklist for checking shades, divided into sectors and marked with numbers cardboard or canvas with a stretcher, varnish mixture and wall fasteners for the finished painting. You can start creating right away! But first, you should choose the desired basis for the picture and get acquainted with life hacks for coloring.

Cardboard vs canvas

Experienced painters by numbers believe that it is worth starting with. After all, this material is very cheap, but at the same time it is able to absorb excess paint applied to it, which is important for beginner artists. But the cardboard does not give the paintings the texture and “realness” that the canvas gives: a little rough to the touch, already primed and stretched on a real stretcher (). Canvas, in turn, is available with a monochrome numbered outline or color. The last type of canvas is suitable even for the elderly and visually impaired, as well as children, because. coloring becomes intuitive. It is better to start with small formats and understandable subjects: animals, fish, birds, landscapes, nature or flowers. But it is worth moving on to drawing people, angels, icons or complex architectural structures after mastering the basic techniques of number painting.

With or without rules?

Of course, contemporary art no longer has clear “do's and don'ts” instructions, and the rules of contemporary art exist solely to be broken. But for this you need to know at least a little, and therefore, before you start unpacking the treasured box with canvas and paints, you should study the Internet encyclopedias in order to learn or refresh the concepts of light and shadow, line and shading, perspective and plane, front and background, color separation and contrast…

And if you are still a beginner and do not have experience in creating paintings by numbers, then it is better to follow the instructions that are in each set exactly. And when you master the basic techniques of this kind of painting, you can already work out the baggage of your techniques and chips. Moreover, there are not so many basic techniques that greatly facilitate drawing.

"Magnificent Four" methods of coloring pictures by numbers

There are 4 principles of canvas painting. You will memorize them without difficulty, because they are unusually logical and functional, they are already prompted by common sense and convenience to anyone who paints.

From light to dark

By painting over white, yellow, blue or pink areas at the very beginning, you will avoid accidental blots. After all, it is much easier to erase or block a pastel shade with another color than a bright or dark color.

If you paint all the large details of the picture at the very beginning, then you will not only avoid the blunders and blots mentioned above, but you can then correctly place the nuances and draw small details, put the right strokes and highlights. So it will be easier to compare the “small things” with the main semantic spots of the picture: agree that by painting over the vase and the three largest buds in it, it will be easier for you to place medium-sized flowers and leaves of the bouquet next to it.

Moving in this direction, you definitely won’t smear the pattern already applied on the edge with your shirt sleeve or elbow. As a rule, it is in the middle of the picture that classical artists have the main image, whether it is a hut in a pastoral landscape or a vase of fruit in an appetizing still life.

This way of moving across the canvas also allows you not to rub off the already applied paints with your elbows, they will dry out during the application, and when you get to the bottom edge, the top of the painting will be almost dry.

How to hold a brush and make strokes?

The brush is easiest and most comfortable to hold in the same way as you hold a ballpoint pen. Your hand must be supported. This is enough so that you do not get tired, and the picture is neat. To begin with, it’s worth mastering the usual strokes: just try to paint over each numbered fragment as evenly as possible, making smooth movements with the brush from left to right (if you are right-handed), putting the paint in an even layer of the same thickness, without going beyond the outline.

Once you get the hang of it, you can experiment with layer thickness, hatching, and even dot painting if your artistic intent requires it. For example, if you need to draw a heavy and water-saturated rain cloud. After all, its lower part is rough and dark, which is well conveyed by small ripples of dots, and rain threads descend below, which are easiest to imitate with short oblique strokes.

Bright mix: how to mix paints correctly?

As a rule, paints are already mixed in a set, which is why there are so many numbers in it, because each of them means a certain shade, which sometimes differs only by a fraction of a tone from the previous one. If in the process of drawing you run out of the desired color, it is quite possible to mix it yourself from existing paints. Usually light tones end first of all, because there are usually more light spots in the picture than dark ones, and therefore you just need to slightly dilute with white the tone that is closest in shade to the one you need. It is best to do this on a palette or a sheet of cardboard, and not directly in a jar, so as not to accidentally spoil the entire mass of paint.

Effective and Effective: Blurring the Boundaries

It's amazing, but with just two tricks - creating clear or blurry borders - you can give the picture depth, expressiveness, and a professional look. To understand in which area it is worth making the most clear contour, and where to slightly blur the edges, it is enough to carefully consider these places on the sample reproduction.

This is glitter: 3 unique types of varnish

When the picture is ready, you will probably want to give it a gloss and keep it from dust, cracking and fading by covering it with a transparent protective base.

Matte acrylic varnish is good because it dries unusually quickly, and also gives the colors extra brightness. Literally in a couple of 6-8 hours after covering the painting, you can proudly hang it on the wall and invite relatives and friends to your own vernissage.

Gloss, as the name implies, gives the image a special shine and smoothness. This is a plus if you want to smooth out some roughness, but a minus if you want to emphasize volume. The aforementioned matte does better with giving texture.

Craquelure truly magical: it allows you to nobly age a completely new picture in moments, covering the surface with a network of bizarre cobweb cracks, turning a newly created portrait or landscape into an elegant antique.

Auxiliary materials

Before starting work, you should cover the table with newspaper or film, install bright, but not eye-catching lighting, and also stock up with toothpicks and cotton swabs. The former will help to draw even the thinnest lines, while the latter will be useful in order to remove excess paint in time or correct an unsuccessful stroke. In addition, you may also need a set of brushes of the best quality and different diameters, a palette and even an easel if you are going to paint in nature or in the country.

Do not forget to put a jar of water on the table and put disposable napkins. But do not rush to immediately open all the cans of paint: acrylic quickly thickens, so open them in stages, number by number.

Frame for a man-made masterpiece: choosing the perfect frame

Acrylic perfectly imitates classic oil paint, and therefore it is worthwhile to decorate the finished picture with dignity. A textured, slightly deepened and gilded or silver-plated frame in the Baroque style will suit almost any plot: with fine ligature, vignettes or vines. After all, then the image will acquire the proper volume and become a worthy decoration of your home art gallery! ()