Q I want to paint a large area in acrylic and achieve a nice flat finish without any visible brushstrokes. Is heavily thinning it with water the best solution?

A If acrylic is heavily thinned with water underbinding can occur. This is where the binder is thinned to the point where it no longer provides enough support for the pigment, which because it is not locked in the paint film, becomes exposed, and can easily be lost from the surface to which it is applied. To overcome these issues, Winsor & Newton Artists’ Acrylic Flow Improver should be used. This medium increases the flow of acrylic colours, allowing the application of areas of flat, even colour without changing colour strength. It works by breaking down the surface tension of water, thus allowing it to lie very flat; as well as maintaining stability, it slightly slows drying. This medium has been specifically formulated to ensure there is no colour shift from wet to dry when used with Winsor & Newton Artists’ Acrylic. It is not used neat with the colour but added to the water used to thin colour, reducing the amount of water needed to improve flow. It is very effective for hard edge painting techniques and when using masking materials.

Q I work in a number of media on flat surfaces, including collage using digital printed images. I have just finished a commission and I want to ensure the longevity of the work.

A The majority of artists’ colours are classified as permanent for artistic use, therefore UV protection is not essential when varnishing. However, some traditional colours and other media may not be classified as permanent, so it is important to consider the effect of UV light. Non-permanent media can lighten, darken or change hue with the effects of sunlight. The best way to protect these is to use a varnish such as Winsor & Newton Artists’ Acrylic Varnish, which comes in matt, satin and gloss finishes, and has the additional benefit of UV protection. As with all artists’ varnishes they are removable (using Artists’ Acrylic Varnish Remover), in order to act as a sacrificial layer that collects any dirt or pollutants that may collect on your work. Regular removal and re-application ensures your work will always look as clean and fresh as the day you completed it.

Q I would like to achieve some dramatic textures in my acrylic paintings. A fellow artist told me I could add all sorts of items to my acrylic paint to achieve this. Is this okay?

A The problem with adding various bits and pieces to your paint is that you don’t know whether the additives will stand the test of time or react with the paint, causing later problems such as cracking or peeling. The worst-case scenario is that you could end up with a piece that falls apart. The best way to achieve a variety of textures is to use mediums. Winsor & Newton Galeria acrylic mediums offer a variety of textures and bodies such as glass beads, black lava, sand, mineral texture and medium and large grain. There are also two modelling pastes that enable you to build up extreme textures. The advantage of all of these is that they are stable and will not affect the permanence of your acrylic paint. For the best results, mix with either Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic or Artists’ Acrylic, as the range of mediums has been formulated to give the best results with these colours.

Q I want to achieve some extra depth and luminosity in my acrylics by building many transparent glazes of colour. What is the best ratio of paint and medium to use?

A There are no hard and fast rules for the combination of medium and paint when mixing glazes. Winsor & Newton Artists’ Acrylic Glazing Medium can be added to Winsor & Newton Artists’ Acrylic colour in any ratio. Choose a transparent colour for this and mix it on your palette with Glazing Medium; the more medium you add, the more transparent your glaze will become. You can even use Glazing Medium neat to create a clear glaze. It’s worth pointing out that as the Glazing Medium is not removable, it is not advisable to use it as varnish, as all artists’ varnishes are removable. In summary, add as much medium as you need to achieve the required level of transparency.