Newb Q\'s

[mack1]

Hello everyone, I am a long time lurker and have marvelled at the many fine examples of mini\'s that have been posted here and having read many articles and posts, have decided to invest in some proper materials!

They duly arrived today -

1- acrylic wet pallete (which I undersand how it works)
2- A set of series 7 brushes
3- 75ml bottle of \"cryla\" flow enhancer
4- 60ml tube of \"cryla\" Gel retarder

The question is .... How the heck do I use the flow enhancer and retarder gel?

Having used \"just\" water in the past, what difference does this stuff make and what ratios do I use them in?

Please help as I am anxious to take my painting to the next level and would appreciate any advice.
Thanks - Mack1

 

[airhead]

Bad news: I don\'t use gel retarder. I am not trying to make my paints thicker. I just want to slow the drying time.

I mix the following:

8 oz empty bottle

1 oz retarder
1 oz flow enhancer
6 oz airbrush medium (you can use glazing medium or water but I get airbrush medium by the quarts anyway.)
1 or 2 DROPS of diswashing soap.

Mix and put in an empty dropper bottle. Add a drop or 2 of this to a drop of paint to thin your paints on your wet pallet.

Others use slightly different mixes. Play around with it and see what you like.

 

[ipaintminis]

we have the gel retarder, i use it with paints that i want to look uber thick...not like chunky thick but like deep looking, if that makes any sense. it helps to blend paint because the gel drys soooo slow, i have to get up and do something else while im waitning for it to dry.

 

[mack1]

How do you actually use the gel?????

From the instructions on the flow enhancer bottle - I add it to water for mixing purposes but I am clueless as how to even use the gel

Thanks for the feedback so far

 

[Calavera]

The way I use my retarder(gel from W&N) is to put a little on my index finger, smear it on my palette on a certain area, rub it well, and add a drop or two of water to the area, and put the paint over it. Works for me