Liquid acrylic paints are used as an ink or wash and can be applied to a painting surface through the use of a dip pen or paint brush. Liquid acrylics have a permanence and brilliance of color that regular drawing ink does not have–the color is resistant to fading. Liquid acrylic flows easily and dries quickly. As it dries, its color deepens and becomes more brilliant. Colors can be used as is or can be mixed together to achieve another color.
1. Use an artist’s mixing tray with multiple compartments or wells and give each liquid acrylic color being used its own well. Use the dropper to place the chosen color into a well. Do not pour the paint back into its original container after it has been used on the mixing tray to prevent contamination of colors.
2. Keep a glass or cup of water nearby to clean brushes and pens. Moving from color to color requires a rinse of the brush or pen in the water. Drop the tool into the water and agitate it. Remove and wipe the tool on a paper or cloth towel before placing into the next color.
3. Mix liquid acrylic colors together to make new colors. Use the open area of the mixing tray or a separate, clean well to combine the colors. Combine no more than three colors together at a time to keep the results bright; adding more than three colors can make liquid acrylic paints become muddy and lose their brilliance.
4. Find the desired color and then stop mixing. Stirring or mixing too thoroughly will begin to break down the color & use a clean eye dropper to gather mixed colors and place into dip pens. Load single colors using the bottle’s eye dropper.
5. Thin the liquid acrylic paint using water for a more watercolor effect. Simply dip the brush into the glass of water and add then place the water loaded brush into the acrylic color. Water can also be applied to the painting surface first and then followed by a brush loaded with the liquid acrylic paint.
6. The paint can be layered; once dry, the liquid acrylic is permanent, allowing other colors and layers to be applied without disturbing the color below & use painting surfaces that are free of wax or oil. These substances repel acrylic paint.