thinning paint

[gumbo69]

just wanted to know whether people just use water or something else like flow improver, or a combination

thanks

 

[SJB]

Well, I use just water. Regular tap water. I\'ve never found any additives to make much of a positive difference to my paints.

 

[Highbulp Billy]

I just use tap water too but I\'m still trying to find the ideal quantity/ratio to use. It\'s a difficult thing to learn without seeing a live example in front of you.

 

[krom1415]

I use distilled water (sometimes, when I remember) as I live in a chalky water area.
Liquitex-slow dri fluid retarder (the watery one) can be mixed with the water and can aid the painting, but at the end of the day I think its learning to control what one does with the paint that matters

 

[chrismisterx]

I also use water, but will be using I use distilled water now i have some.

I also use glaze medium in the water / paint mix, if i need a really thin wash.

 

[Ritual]

Plain water straight from the tap! The only additive I use sometimes is Liquitex Slo-dri, but that is just to prolong the drying time.

 

[EricJ]

yeah, just water for me, although due to how many particles are in my plain tap water, I just use filtered water. No additives for me!

 

[darkartminiatures]

Tap water for me. Its cheap and it works.

 

[faulkns]

Mostly tap water, but occaisionally a flow improver like Windsor & Newton.

 

[Arma]

if Seb is around he\'ll start shouting soon!

I use water only too, I\'m still very much a beginner and learning to use water is key imo, before you start messing with the paints properties.

 

[J2FcM]

I just bought WN flo improver, and Liquitex Slo-dry.

They are interesting to toy with. I find the flo-improver does make paint... flow better... But also it seems to dry quicker on the pallette.

The slow dry is fun to use, because u can really screw around with the paint for longer periods of time. I think they all have their uses.

At the end of the day though. My painting still looks like chalk.

 

[ktooloo]

I\'ve found it depends on the climate in your area

After talking with some of my out of state friends, We\'ve noticed it depends on the climate of where you are. A friend in on the east coast uses flow improver in the summer since its hot and humid which makes the paint clump, but he\'s fine in the winter with just water, a friend in Vegas uses retardant since it\'s really dry out there (and maybe a little flow imp. depending on the weather) with his water. I\'m in Southern California, so I use a mix of all three in different ratios depending on what it\'s like out side or how far I am from the beach when I paint (the climate changes about every 5 miles you go inland).

 

[J2FcM]

Yes, I live on the East Coast, and some days I have AC on, its super dry, and cool... without AC, its super humid.

 

[Ebonbuddha]

I sometimes use filtered water. I use to use distilled water. It is really cheap and it last a long time.