How to Make Your Own Acrylic Paint
You will have more control over your artistic creativity when you make your own acrylic paint. Using different pigments and mediums in the paint will allow you to experiment and change the vicosity of paint. Although making acrylic paint is challenging and takes practice, the ability to create and use your own paint is rewarding.
Materials Needed
- Palette
- Pigment powder
- Distilled water
- Palette knife
- Muller
- Jar or container
- Acrylic medium
- Retarder
1. Place a palette on a tabletop. Pour only a handful of pigment powder in the middle of the palette to form a mound. You can add more or less depending how much you will need. There is no specific measurement for how much powder you will need.
2. Create a well or hole in the center of the mound for the water. Pour a small amount of water into the small hole. You want to add just a little at a time.
3. Stir the water and powder with the palette knife. You should notice the mixture turning sticky and thick. Add more water to obtain a smooth consistency. The texture should not be runny.
4. Take a muller and grind the mixture using even pressure and a figure eight motion. You can purchase the hand muller at your local art supply store. The mixture should have a creamy texture.
5. Use the palette knife to scrape the acrylic paint into a jar with a lid.
6. Pour acrylic medium over the ingredients. You can use the ratio of one part pigment to two parts acrylic medium. Mix the ingredients with a palette knife. The acrylic medium can be purchased at your local art supply store. It is used to thin paint so it will stick. Most of the mediums are white but will dry clear without changing the color of the pigment.
7. Add the retarder to the paint. You will need an amount about the size of a dime. Mix the ingredients with the palette knife.
8. Cover the jar with a lid.