Again, here I am trying to save you some money by making a homemade recipe for your acrylic pour paintings (or other acrylic paintings).
This time, I am here to give you my recipe for my homemade acrylic paint retarder.
What is Acrylic Paint Retarder?
Acrylics paints are water-based, and cure when water evaporates from the paint.
A retarder is an additive used to increase the drying time of acrylic paints. Depending on the ratio of extender to paint, the drying time can vary from a few hours to a few days.
Retarders come in a gel or liquid form. The gel is suitable for direct acrylic paint to canvas type applications, whereas the liquid version is great for producing flowing paints.
What is Acrylic Paint Retarder Used For?
In acrylic painting, a retarder is added to acrylic paints so that you can paint in better detail without the fear of your paints drying up while painting.
In acrylic pouring, when the acrylic paint dries too fast it can cause paint cracking. So I like to add a little bit of retarder to my pouring medium and paint mix, specially in arid climates that are known to wick water out of acrylic paint.
Homemade Retarder Recipe
This DIY acrylic paint retarder recipe that I am going to share with you is super cheap and easy to make. All you need is some vegetable glycerin and water.
So let's learn how to make your own acrylic paint retarder.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 oz 100% Vegetable Glycerin
- 9 oz Water
Mix your vegetable glycerin and water in a container. This 1:9 ratio mixture will be your retarder. Add a little bit of this mixture to the pouring medium you will be using with your acrylic paints.
The previous recipe is mostly meant to be used with fluid acrylics or paint pouring. If you want to slow down the process of acrylic paints that are going to be used for more impasto-type applications, then try reducing the ratio to 1:5 (glycerin:water) or less.
How to Use Acrylic Retarder
A Retarder does NOT contain binding agents. To ensure adhesion, the Golden brand recommends that the addition of their Retarder should not exceed 14% (1:6), when mixed with colors or mediums.
Other brands like Tamiya recommend their retarder to be used up to a 1:10 ratio (9%) with Tamiya Acrylic Paints.
So how much you use is going to depend on the recommendations of the brand you choose.
Keep in mind applying too much retardant can prevent a paint layer from drying correctly for as long as the retardant is present. This can cause your painting to remain tacky or can cause future damage to the painting unless the affected layer of paint is removed.
So start by adding a very small amount of retarder to your paint mix and gradually add more if you feel like you need to slow down the drying time even more.
For acrylic pouring and my previously mentioned homemade acrylic paint retarder recipe, I would start by adding a very small amount (maybe 5%) in my pouring medium and build up as I keep testing until I find the sweet spot.
Adding Glycerin to Acrylic Paint
Now, because my homemade retarder contains glycerin, some people might wonder whether adding glycerin to acrylic paint is okay or if it will cause some undesirable results.
Well, first of all, commercially manufactured retarders are generally made up of glycol (such as propylene glycol) or glycerin-based additives.
Glycerin (glycerol) also has a long history of being used as a retarder in both acrylic and watercolor painting. Artists have used glycerin for years and years. In fact, almost all acrylic paints have some glycerin added to them to help them stay fresh longer.
So you shouldn't encounter any issues when using glycerin with your acrylic paints as long as you are not using too much.
Here's a quote from the Golden site given as a precaution when using glycerin:
"Humectants, agents that absorb or hold water like glycerin… also have been added to retard or slow drying. However, humectants must be used with extreme care as they tend to percolate to the surface of the film during drying, leaving a residue that may reduce inter-coat adhesion."
So just be cautious about how much glycerin you add to your paints.
Here's the rest of Golden's article on "Understanding How to Control the Drying Process of Acrylics".
I highly suggest that you read it!
Best Acrylic Paint Retarder
Now, if you prefer to just purchase an acrylic paint retarder that was manufactured specifically for art creation, then here is a list of some of the best ones.
#1. Liquitex Professional Slow-Dri Fluid Retarder
Liquitex’s retarder is lightweight and nontoxic. It is water resistant and non-yellowing. It was formulated to extend drying times by up to 40 percent. Ideal for hot or dry climates. This convenient additive lowers the viscosity of acrylic colors.
#2. Golden Acrylic Retarder
Golden's acrylic retarder is an additive for slowing the drying (open) time of acrylic paints and mediums. This additive is useful for "wet-in-wet" techniques and for reducing skinning on the palette.
#3. Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Retarder
This translucent fluid extends the drying time of acrylic colors. Great product at a more affordable price compared to other fluid retarders! I love the Winsor and Newton Galeria brand.
#4. Grumbacher Acrylic Retarder for Acrylic Colors
Slows drying time of acrylic paint and/or painting mediums for impasto types of application. Ideal for detailed blending work. Mix retarder directly into acrylic colors and/or painting mediums in ratios of up to 30% to volume. Not meant to be used for fluid painting.
#5. Blick Artists' Acrylic Retarder
Use this additive to slow the drying time of acrylic paints for impasto types of application. It is useful for "wet-in-wet" techniques, and for reducing skinning on the palette. Not meant to be used for fluid painting.
Conclusion
If you are struggling with your acrylic paint cracking after it dries on your canvas, then add some commercially made retarder or this homemade paint retarder to your paint mix.
It will prevent water molecules from your paint from evaporating too fast into the atmosphere and causing paint crazing.
