What is the best finish for acrylic paint?

Author: Neil Nicolas  |  Last update: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

In general, acrylic resin varnishes are glossier, stronger and clearer than acrylic polymer varnishes. Therefore, if you want a high-gloss finish, you should go for an acrylic resin varnish such as Golden MSA Varnish. Before applying the final varnish, you'll need to apply an "isolation coat" over the entire painting.

Is matte or glossy better for acrylic painting?

The choice between a glossy or matte finish for acrylic paintings depends on aesthetics, artwork type, and practical considerations. Glossy finishes enhance colors, provide protection, and add depth, while matte finishes offer a softer, subdued look, minimizing glare, and highlighting textures.

What kind of clear coat should I use over acrylic paint?

Re: Clear coat over acrylic paint? You can use nitro or acrylic lacquer, and probably just about anything else. I like to use Krylon Crystal Clear which is an acrylic lacquer.

How do you make acrylic paint smooth and shiny?

The best way to apply a shiny finish to an acrylic painting is to apply a gloss acrylic varnish to the dry painting. Be sure to use an archival varnish made for fine art application. You can use a spray or brush on varnish but my preference is to use the brush on type. Apply multiple coats to achieve a gloss finish.

How do you get a good finish on acrylic?

The best way to apply a shiny finish to an acrylic painting is to apply a gloss acrylic varnish to the dry painting. Be sure to use an archival varnish made for fine art application. You can use a spray or brush on varnish but my preference is to use the brush on type. Apply multiple coats to achieve a gloss finish.

Acrylic Varnish - The Pros And Cons | Acrylic Painting | Liquitex

What is the best finish for acrylic painting?

In general, acrylic resin varnishes are glossier, stronger and clearer than acrylic polymer varnishes. Therefore, if you want a high-gloss finish, you should go for an acrylic resin varnish such as Golden MSA Varnish. Before applying the final varnish, you'll need to apply an "isolation coat" over the entire painting.

How should I seal my acrylic painting?

A brush-on sealer is a good option if you want more control over where the sealer is applied. Again, be sure to use a sealer that is specifically designed for use with acrylic paints. Apply the sealer to a small area at a time and then use a soft brush to spread it evenly over the surface of the painting.

How do you get the best results with acrylic paint?

The key things to note when painting with acrylic paint on canvas is the need to (1) prepare the surface with gesso beforehand and (2) consider applying a spray varnish after your painting is finished and dry. Both will have a dramatic effect on your results.

Do you wet the brush before using acrylic paint?

Acrylic Paint Instructions and Tips. You don't 'need' to start with a wet brush, but if you want your paint to glide smoothly then it's best to have the bristles wet. I just quickly dip my brush in water, it doesn't have to be soaking wet.

How do you make acrylic paint look glossy without varnish?

Heavy Gel, Impasto Gel, Soft Gel are all gels that bulk out acrylic paint and add texture, while making it more transparent and glossy. Basically, anything with the words gel, gloss, metallic, iridescent, interference, and pearlescent tend to add shininess to paint.

What top coat to seal acrylic paint?

Which clear coat is best for acrylic painting projects?
  • Mod Podge. Mod Podge is a budget-friendly clear coat that resembles Elmer's glue. ...
  • Varnish. Varnishing is often used as a catch-all phrase for applying a sealer in general. ...
  • Acrylic Polymer Varnish. ...
  • Resins. ...
  • Glue. ...
  • Spray Sealant. ...
  • Polyurethane. ...
  • Lacquer.

Can you put polyurethane on acrylic paint?

But if you want to preserve your colors, stick to water-based. Acrylic paint: “Water-based polyurethane is recommended for maintaining the clarity and vibrancy of the paint. Oil-based polyurethane can cause discoloration in acrylic paint,” Sanders explains.

What looks more professional matte or glossy?

Glossy prints are great for vibrant, detailed images, while matte prints offer a glare-free, natural look, ideal for formal settings and framing.

What does matte medium do to acrylic paint?

GOLDEN Fluid Matte Medium is a liquid, liquid acrylic medium useful for extending colors, increasing translucency and decreasing gloss. This product is particularly useful with GOLDEN Fluid Acrylics to decrease gloss without altering viscosity. It is also useful as a translucent ground.

What is the best painting surface for acrylics?

Acrylics can be used on a large variety of supports, including canvas, paper, wood, degreased leather, brickwork, or anything which is neither greasy nor too glossy. Professionals and those painters using an oil technique favour canvas whilst paper is used by those working in a watercolour style.

Do you rinse your brush when using acrylic paint?

As you work

Once you've finished using your brush, rinse it, blot it, and then rest it (while wet) on a piece of paper towel during your project. This will keep the brush moist throughout your creative session so that no paint dries on it.

What happens when you add too much water to acrylic paint?

Using too much water on your acrylic paints can result in a loss of adhesion. This means that your paint may become too watery and simply flow off your canvas or muddy up your colors when you try to blend them. You can avoid this by using acrylic mediums instead.

Why do I need gesso for acrylic painting?

Gesso is very similar to white acrylic paint, only thinner. It dries hard, making the surface more stiff. Gesso prepares (or "primes") the surface for painting, making the surface slightly textured and ready to accept acrylic paint. Without gesso, the paint would soak into the weave of the canvas.

How to get a smooth finish with acrylic paint?

Firsts, I suggest sanding the surface with a 240grit sandpaper and then finishing it off with a 320 or 400grit sandpaper. This will take away all the fine timber fibres on the surface. You'll be able to feel it with your fingers how smooth the surface will become. Second is the quality of your brush or roller.

How can you tell if acrylic paint is high quality?

Artist-quality paint (also known as premium or professional) comes in a wider range of colors and contains more pigment compared to student-quality acrylics. It also has a higher permanence rating, which means that it will stay vibrant for a longer period of time.

What brand acrylic paint is best for beginners?

Liquitex Basics are student grade acrylics designed for beginners and students.

Can I use Elmer's glue to seal acrylic paint?

Cover the paint with a coat of Elmer's Glue-All glue. While still wet, paint on another coat of a different color of acrylic paint. The painted item will begin to crackle as it dries. When dry, cover with another coat of the Elmer's Glue-All as a sealer.

Can hairspray seal acrylic paint?

You shouldn't use hairspray to fix drawings. It is likely to yellow over time, often quickly. It may also change the appearance of your work, making it appear darker or even dissolving some colours completely. You should seal your drawings with an artist quality fixative spray instead.

What happens if you don't seal acrylic paint?

Protect From Atmospheric Conditions

Weather, light, and dust will harm youracrylic paintings . Constantly shifting temperature and humidity are paintings' worst enemies. If the temperature gets too hot or too cold, this can cause the paint to flake and become unstable.

Previous article
How much does it cost to replace a 25 foot sewer line?
Next article
How to vacuum old insulation from an attic?