The Worst Mistake Acrylic Painters Make? The REAL truth!

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  • Опубліковано 31 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 98

  • @Cindy-zn2so
    @Cindy-zn2so 2 роки тому +43

    Crazy. I have around a dozen hand painted - with acrylics that I surely thinned with water as needed, then varnished. They're still as bright, strong and beautiful as the day they were made.

  • @1sacoyle
    @1sacoyle 9 місяців тому +17

    About 20 yrs. ago we had a representative from Liquitex give a presentation at our class in college and she explained how the molecules could separate in the paint if you used too much water. She then suggested we use airbrush medium instead of water. For quite some time after that i used the airbrush medium and gradually went back to using water as it was more convenient and nothing seemed to happen to the paintings I had used water on.. Thank you for this video which clears up this misconception.

  • @dorothygladsjo3510
    @dorothygladsjo3510 Рік тому +25

    We newbies need these “unhack” videos!
    Thank you Lisa!!

  • @davidcoker7989
    @davidcoker7989 Рік тому +7

    Great video, thanks for posting! To add to this, twenty years ago I painted a terracotta pot with ultramarine Liquitex basics, straight out of the tube, thinned with a good bit of water to make it spread and hold on to the pot. This has been sitting out in the Southern California sun now since it was painted in all kinds of weather and not only is the paint all still there but it is as brilliant and full of color as the day it was painted. The paint has not faded one bit. Acrylics are some of the best paints there are and will take a beating!

  • @therenaissancelass
    @therenaissancelass 2 роки тому +12

    Thank you so much for clearing this up! I saw that video and was initially scared but all my experiences with using water with acrylics showed me she didn't make sense. Im so glad you posted this video. You just confirmed what I believed

  • @felicianomiko5659
    @felicianomiko5659 18 днів тому +1

    I use water or a water/flow improver with my paints and it works fine. I have both in spray bottles depending on what I need them for. Yes, too much water will water down the color but I also have some fluid acrylics and will thin a color with those if I really need to keep the intensity of the color the same. But plenty of artists use water and their thinner and it works fine. This is like those people telling others not to use black ever. Piss right off, I’m busy.

  • @Erik_Conso
    @Erik_Conso 2 роки тому +68

    omg acrylic is litterely A WATER BASED MEDIUM- why people always try to make up this bs and make people scared...it's like as if someone said "u can not use water with watercolor"... WGAT IS THE MEANING OF THAT VIDEO?!

  • @myspud9254
    @myspud9254 Рік тому +3

    I wanted to add a comment to support you Lisa. Thanks for your video. As you say, the quality of the paint is everything, and understanding how acrylic works is essential. As it happens, David Jansen just recently provided a very in depth discussion of this topic on You Tube in his How To Use Acrylics Like Oils Video. I have already listened to it a couple of times, and will listen again many more times. Not only is David an artist and teacher, he is also a chemist and had formulated paint for several companies in his earlier career. There is a use for water, mediums and extenders with acrylic paint depending on the type of painting you do and where you live and now I know why. I almost gave up on any kind of acrylic art. I live in the desert. Today is a typical 90 degrees and 4% humidity. I need to use all these tools, and now that I’ve been educated by David I can enjoy acrylics (I was a former oil painter). All of your tips, information and examples are so helpful. Thank you again for supporting and helping us.

  • @tinkerquinn8580
    @tinkerquinn8580 2 роки тому +20

    My brain doesn't understand watercolors. So I have thinned my acrylics down to watercolor consistency in order to do backgrounds on canvases before my finished paintings. Never had problems.

  • @michaelquinones-lx6ks
    @michaelquinones-lx6ks 3 місяці тому +2

    Thank you Lisa!! For clearing up all of this fear mongering BS about using water with acrylics.

  • @seamus6994
    @seamus6994 26 днів тому +1

    I already believed you can't thin paint to much. Depending on the purposes needed for what ever look your going for. I haven't painted in years, but now I've decided to go back to it. I was going through some UA-cam videos, and yours came up. Thanks for setting people straight. I'm a person that believes people should talk about what they know, not what they think they know. Read, obtain information, (usually from several sources). Then talk about it. Liked and Subbed!

  • @lindausery6456
    @lindausery6456 2 роки тому +1

    Saw that video when I first started looking at UA-cam to learn to paint. I’m so glad I found you almost immediately. You are the best!❤

  • @Billionth_Kevin
    @Billionth_Kevin 3 місяці тому +5

    Even that 95% number doesn’t make sense, I’ve “painted” with far less paint in water than that. Basically every time I clean my brushes I do so on a separate canvas that lies flat on a desk. I swish the dirty brush in a water cup, then slosh that all over the canvas and just continue building up layers (and pools) until it’s interesting enough to be its own painting. I’m guessing most people use a paper towel or something, but my towels starting looking kinda pretty and I didn’t want to waste pretty

  • @SheilaLandry
    @SheilaLandry 2 роки тому +3

    I am with you 1000 percent, Lisa. I started out painting in acrylic paint and yes - the QUALITY paint doesn't have any issues when adding even a lot of water. I always thin my acrylics to some extent. I usually just move on when I see goofy videos like the one you described. I am glad you debunked the fear-mongering. I think these videos that you are doing that clears up misinformation are among your most valueable. Thank you so much!

  • @travisnobleart
    @travisnobleart 2 роки тому +11

    I used to listen to all art advice when I started, that is until I started getting knocked around by contradictions. I've learned since that the only way to really know is to test it out for yourself in the cheapest, quickest way possible.

  • @Tonikone5280
    @Tonikone5280 11 місяців тому +1

    Thank you for clarifying that! I just seen that video literally two videos before yours popped up and I really believe her about the molecules and the way she explained it… I have actually been trying to find the differences in acrylic ink and how you can use it like watercolors and if you can make it with regular acrylic paint because I am new to flash art painting it’s been a challenge if you have any information for me please let me know thank you 🙏

  • @justacatwhocantype
    @justacatwhocantype 2 роки тому +7

    I remember a video like that, it's been around for a while. Or is there a new one out now? I gotta have to check. Of course you can mix acrylics with water, I am surprised that someone who has painted with acrylics before would even doubt this. It's not like I'm some huge acrylics painter, this is actually a medium that I use quite rarely, but when I do I will use as much water as I want. Never ran into problems with this. If the plastic stuff in the paint would not connect properly, one should notice this immediately, and I have never seen that. As you said, it is thinkable that the gesso or structure paste or something might not provide a good surface and the paint will flake, but that is so entirely different than the paint not being able to set properly, and flaking off from problematic surfaces can even happen with thick paint directly from the tube.

    • @staciecarrel4492
      @staciecarrel4492 Рік тому +1

      I’ve seen the video myself, it was one of the first I stumbled upon when I was first painting over 10 years ago. I’ve been to most every acrylic painting channel many times and that one video from the early days of UA-cam is the only one I’ve seen making that claim. From my understanding the liquid retarder like what golden makes is for when you want to use watery paint BUT have a shorter dry time.

  • @paulakerman2371
    @paulakerman2371 Рік тому +1

    I bought a An Acrylic painting Course (luckily on offer) which said you must glaze between each layer, which i wasn't sure about, so i searched and found that this was not the case with other, professional artists, so thank you for confirming this

    • @Lachri
      @Lachri  Рік тому

      Glad I could help!

    • @michaelquinones-lx6ks
      @michaelquinones-lx6ks 3 місяці тому

      @@Lachri Be it cheap or expensive acrylic paints use water on them all the time and the hell with all these self anointed ''experts'' who don't know squat!! Also, When they use fancy words you know the products they're selling isn't good, And, Thank you again Lisa!👍👍

  • @ham4fun
    @ham4fun 4 місяці тому

    That is so awesome to know. I am about to make a few paintings for my nieces and nephews. they will be my first paintings ever.

  • @carolsieminski6192
    @carolsieminski6192 2 роки тому +3

    Thank you for this! I tried glazing with a glaze medium because I was afraid to water down my paint, and I hated the results!

  • @cindyd.01
    @cindyd.01 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you for the public service! I have been adding water to my Golden acrylics for years. :)

  • @suzanneyyc
    @suzanneyyc 2 місяці тому

    As a beginner using thicker acrylics, my biggest frustration has been moving the paint on canvas and it drying too quickly. I am now trying retarder and do thin my paint with water, especially when underpainting. My question, is how much water can a canvas handle?
    Thanks so much for sharing this, for those of us new to painting with acrylics, the right information is so important.

  • @oiseaufeu
    @oiseaufeu 2 роки тому +1

    I once mixed my own pouring paint and I added too much water in it. It didn't give me the consistance I wanted and it was more water than paint. That's a mistake that I made a year or 2 ago. I do now mix water and some medium to make my pouring paint. Enough water with some medium in to make thick enough and fluid enough to be able to pour it on my support (wooden plank mostly).

  • @joesweeney7216
    @joesweeney7216 Рік тому +2

    Is the video you're referring to the one that says to thin your paint using airbrush medium for toning a canvas?

  • @bozomahoney
    @bozomahoney Рік тому

    A famous local artist paints with watered-down acrylics. I went to her large studio, and she happened to be there that day; what a treat for me! I asked her how she gets such beautiful detail.....she said "lots of water".

  • @kenishamiles
    @kenishamiles 3 дні тому

    Is this also true for fluid art where the paint is poured on the canvas?

  • @marikothecheetah9342
    @marikothecheetah9342 Рік тому +1

    I think I saw the video and it's great to hear from you. Acrylics is water soluble medium and the only major difference between acrylics and watercolour or gouache (afaik) is the fact, that acrylic contains plastic. Also, with this all being said by that person, Holbein's acrylic gouache could not exist. :D

  • @serjerin
    @serjerin 2 роки тому +1

    Another great piece of advice. Thank you.

  • @dougmackinnon7194
    @dougmackinnon7194 9 місяців тому

    Thank you I watched that video and she sounded like an authority on the subject

  • @jaelamaduin7471
    @jaelamaduin7471 Місяць тому

    Water is tottaly great and useful. ❤ I think the flaking only ever happens when both A the paint is extreamly thinned, and B the substrate is too smooth and completely lacks tooth.
    Like you said it takes a LOT to over thin acrylics when using a quality paint.
    Also acrylic adheres chemically to acrylic regardless of texture, but it can adhere to textured surfaces with any amout of water via mechanical bond.

  • @izfanalizam768
    @izfanalizam768 Місяць тому

    Fuhhh.. I saw that video before this video.. thank you for your information I feel relief

  • @pickenchews
    @pickenchews Рік тому

    Question: if you start a painting with a wash that used too much water, is it wise to paint over it, or will future layers of paint be at risk of flaking & peeling due to the early overly-thinned wash underneath?

  • @sharonmoseley5779
    @sharonmoseley5779 4 дні тому

    Thank you!!!!

  • @myhandlehasbeenmishandled
    @myhandlehasbeenmishandled 2 роки тому +2

    I think not liking results is a bad argument. You are just not used to the medium so you are not getting what you want. But yeah you don't need to use what you don't want. And at the end if you can't get what you want from a tool when you need it you don't have to use it.
    At the end i would still prefer information from chemists that make the paint. Not just personal experience. I'll take a look at that Golden paints video. But a while back it's their website where I found info on why you shouldn't use water.

  • @MonaeKekeDesignz
    @MonaeKekeDesignz Місяць тому

    I love using water with acrylics so i dont know who caeup with thag either...I love painting 🎨 🖌 myself...its very peaceful and therapeutic, relaxing and calming😊❤

  • @danaparsonsliquidcosmosart2669
    @danaparsonsliquidcosmosart2669 2 роки тому +1

    The only instance I can think where using to much water is an issue is acrylic paint pouring. But painting traditionally.. hell no!

  • @TsukabuNosoratori2
    @TsukabuNosoratori2 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you so much for this. I'm kind of annoyed that a video which wasn't really well founded in facts was getting so much attention. I use my acrylics with water all the time- M Graham is another good brand, and Sennelier have good acrylics too. I also use my Acrylics in my journals after I Gesso the heck out of a page to protect it. An artist can really accomplish a whole world of artsy dreams with the right information and products.

  • @jeffreykitchens6729
    @jeffreykitchens6729 Рік тому

    My wife used the liquitex Basics paints when she was starting out. The color faded over a few years so she switched to the liquitex professional paints. Better results for sure.

  • @SunflowerUnited
    @SunflowerUnited 9 місяців тому

    What makes your paints crack. I used paint and water and I put a little of a medium.... should I leave the medium out if I use water. Oh and I used some glue..What am I doing wrong?😮😮😢😢

  • @P_i_l_s_o
    @P_i_l_s_o 2 роки тому +2

    Once I saw that video I didn't believe it because I like to use super water-thined acrylics and never had a problem. I even have used it to tint wood slats as artist frames. Why keep the misinformation up and not put up a correction is beyond me, they would get even more views and interaction with their stuff.

  • @jaelamaduin7471
    @jaelamaduin7471 Місяць тому

    I've seen several golden and liquidex demos using lots of water.

  • @paulwoodford1984
    @paulwoodford1984 2 роки тому +1

    Acrylics and water are born to be together.

  • @ginabadeaux9319
    @ginabadeaux9319 6 місяців тому

    oh thank you for this,i got some great Meeden acrylics in 1 litre tubs they are heavy body i want to thin them .i make beautiful papers with the thick paint they stick together so i will thin them ,this is good news

  • @jeffhildreth9244
    @jeffhildreth9244 Рік тому

    Whoever the expert was who said no water.. what do they think makes the acrylic paint liquid in production and makes it water clean up.
    The best water for acrylic paint is Acqua Panna or plain tap water through a BRITA filter.
    BTW I go to settings and then to Play Back Speed and tone it down to .75.

    • @Lachri
      @Lachri  Рік тому

      I will do more for sure. I typically open the critiques up for top tier patreon students and depending on how many submissions I get, I invite other tiers to submit :)

  • @celtpro
    @celtpro 2 роки тому

    Have no problems when using water with acrylic paints, as with anything like painting or cooking it is the amount of a liquid that you use or don't that, makes all the difference to the end product.

  • @KavyaChannaganu
    @KavyaChannaganu 2 роки тому

    I am trying to make a paint pendulum, for that, up to how much water can I add to acrylic paint...any idea?

  • @kristyb787
    @kristyb787 2 роки тому

    I have used acrylic paint even on my stairs, 20 yrs and still look good.

  • @Yolanda_draws
    @Yolanda_draws 2 роки тому +1

    Wow! Good to know, I’ve used colored pencils or watercolor pencils and lately Derwent inktense. I’m starting to dabble in acrylic so I don’t know much about this medium yet. Also I don’t know this person you speak of and thanks for the info because for people who are starting this will be mislead (if not for you, probably me included) and that would detour them from possibly being great at this medium, you know?

  • @lisavineyard348
    @lisavineyard348 2 роки тому

    OMG I'm so glad you're bringing this up. I seen that video 🤣🤣🤣 I won't listen to anything else she says, that's for sure. Thanks for the knowledge.

  • @syrinx9196
    @syrinx9196 2 місяці тому

    Acrylic can be so strong that a local artist mixes Liquitex acrylic vehicle with sand to make mortar that she uses to attach dense smooth rocks to canvas. These things were painted in the 80s and nothing has ever come close to falling off. You can find examples by searching Rosemary Schramm treasure paintings.

  • @ZadenZane
    @ZadenZane 6 місяців тому

    What do you mean nobody uses 90-95% water? That's 9-19 drops of water to one drop of paint and I do that a lot when I want a vague tint. Still doesn't cause trouble with flaking. These people who say over thinned acrylic flakes off can never produce evidence. I do 90% of my painting on paper, the other 10% goes on canvas but of course it's always sealed in with a proper isolation coat so even if paint could fall off it would be a non-issue anyway! And of course on paper, according to the "drop-out theory" the watery paint binds to the paper fibres and thus remains safely held in.
    I've never had problems with Daler Rowney paints by the way. I'm English and they've always been the easiest art supplies to get here. The only exception is the "Simply" line where some of the stuff has very low pigmentation. I have nearly 20 tubes of System 3 fluid acrylic which is very sticky and I only use it for the squeezy nozzles for runny abstract effects. But apart from those 2 instances, their products have always been top end in my experience.

  • @talalmomo
    @talalmomo 2 роки тому +1

    Good job

  • @بلسم-ز6ض
    @بلسم-ز6ض 2 роки тому

    Thank you for the information ✨♥

  • @jjunimd
    @jjunimd 2 роки тому

    I have a somewhat different take. When I thin my acrylic paint with a lot of water - maybe 40-50% - I often have trouble getting the paint to stick, especially if I am painting over an existing layer of paint. As you say, once it has dried, the watery paint is perfectly durable, but I have often been intensely frustrated when I stroke the loaded brush over the previous layer of (dry) paint and paint just won't come off the brush. Anyone else have this issue? Lisa?

    • @Lachri
      @Lachri  2 роки тому +1

      I'm guessing it's the type of paint you're using. The liquitex basics dry more mat so you're less likely to have this issue with them than a high gloss paint.

    • @jjunimd
      @jjunimd 2 роки тому

      @@Lachri Ahh... I've been using Golden. I've not heard this aspect of diluting paint discussed before. Thank you!

  • @rubylicious1024
    @rubylicious1024 Рік тому

    would be nice if you linked or named the video you're talking about, so people could look it up themselves..

  • @loati94
    @loati94 2 роки тому +3

    Best thing about that video is that her explanation of underbinding also completely obliterates watercolors and oil paints because you also dilute the binder with either water or oms lol

  • @azarelthecreator7098
    @azarelthecreator7098 7 місяців тому

    lol all my paintings are acrylic and all have had water added and not a single thing has ever happened to any of those paintings. They are as vibrant now as the day i painted them. The internet has turned into the worse place to get information.

  • @beverlydevriesburrows3097
    @beverlydevriesburrows3097 2 роки тому

    Thank you.

  • @Couture.m
    @Couture.m 7 місяців тому

    Into the gesso it goes

  • @ChristinaTodd1970
    @ChristinaTodd1970 2 роки тому

    I found that video and laughed. You're right. She's got almost 6 million votes but only 87k subs.

  • @garthok6224
    @garthok6224 Рік тому +1

    there is another video from CLIVE5 saying the same thing about a 30% MAX WATER RULE. I made a comment in that video and it was deleted... so whatever

  • @BeachMum
    @BeachMum 2 роки тому

    While I don’t particularly use water to water down my acrylics, I’ve NEVER heard this before or experienced this before in this manner due to watered down paints and I, too, have been painting for nearly 30 years myself! I can’t even get water to get the acrylic paint off my paintbrushes because it won’t break down in just water! 😂😂 acrylic paint is essentially made with acrylic….or PLASTIC binders. Once it dries, it’s basically a layer of PLASTIC! While it CAN chip off the surface it’s painted on, it does this not because of the water that it’s mixed with but because it doesn’t completely adhere to the surface it’s put on. This is why you can peel it off of some things very easily (like off you palette) and others not so much (like your canvas or off of other surfaces like wood).

  • @robertkat
    @robertkat 3 місяці тому

    Professionals use heavy body acrylic with water. No pouring medium.

  • @learnartwithme3766
    @learnartwithme3766 2 роки тому +1

    Why not report the video? (especially if you have a direct link to youtube people).

  • @tiagodagostini
    @tiagodagostini 2 роки тому +1

    That video is a disgrace. I posted so many answers pointing that she was wrong but she kept removing it. Acrylics can resist an absurd amount of water.
    That said, I learned a trick a few years ago.. I started using liquid transparent floor wax. It is 99% the same component as base of acrylics and you can thin it without making it get a long sticky perdiod durign the dry out.

  • @duckterdoland3881
    @duckterdoland3881 Рік тому

    Lol look at that chunky little bird 🐦

  • @jpwartist
    @jpwartist 2 роки тому

    Daler-Rowney can't be that bad. They are a British company that have been going since 1783.

    • @Lachri
      @Lachri  2 роки тому +1

      They were terrible last I used them.

    • @EevaSaviranta
      @EevaSaviranta 2 роки тому +2

      They have different series, from hobby quality to professional ones and I would imagine the professional ones are just fine

    • @jpwartist
      @jpwartist 2 роки тому +1

      @@Lachri I believe their better quality professional range of acrylic paint goes under the name of "System 3". The "graduate" range is cheap paint for schools and hobby artists.

    • @sajwilswilson2186
      @sajwilswilson2186 2 роки тому +2

      @@jpwartist You are right about the System 3 range from Daler-Rowney. I've always been very happy with the results and even exhibited pieces painted with System 3. I also use Liquitex Basics.

    • @bcLCurtis214
      @bcLCurtis214 2 роки тому

      Not acrylic paint, that's a "new" medium.

  • @GnaReffotsirk
    @GnaReffotsirk Рік тому

    Maybe she was using student grade acrylics?

    • @Lachri
      @Lachri  Рік тому

      Nope, she wasn't.

  • @hedsy
    @hedsy Рік тому

    This video is throwing me off from the lighting coming from your screen. It's giving you a blue eye haha.

  • @incaseinever
    @incaseinever 3 місяці тому

    "I'm old"😅.....and I'm older😐

  • @myre4975
    @myre4975 Рік тому

    Not a headache for me because I don't care,lol,I'm gonna do me

  • @QuiltingCrow
    @QuiltingCrow 3 місяці тому

    I'm concerned about the environmental effects acrylic paints have. After all, it's microplastic, isn't it?

  • @barbara6058
    @barbara6058 Рік тому

    Obviously does not understand the science of binders in acrylic paint. DO NOT USE WATER!

  • @OscarO-x2g
    @OscarO-x2g 2 години тому

    Did you use acrylic paint 10 years before you were born? You look like 25 Max for me

  • @cherylbrach4794
    @cherylbrach4794 9 місяців тому

    You're not old

  • @bettyjorodgers8552
    @bettyjorodgers8552 2 роки тому

    Thank you.