How do you thicken acrylic paint?

Pat
by Pat

I need to thicken acrylic paint for just a little texture.


  11 answers
  • Gk Gk on Jun 05, 2020

    You can add an acrylic medium to your paint to thicken it up and give you the option to add texture. You don't mention what you are painting that needs texture. That information would be helpful in getting some more specific answers to what you are trying to do.

  • Here is a great video that shows some products you can add to thicken it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH1RDYdiAuM

  • Mogie Mogie on Jun 05, 2020

    How To Thicken Acrylic Paint – Simple And Easy Techniques

    https://relaxingspace.com/how-to-thicken-acrylic-paint/

  • Cindy Cindy on Jun 05, 2020

    Hi Grandma Pat. You can thicken acrylic paint with corn starch. Before you add the corn starch to the acrylic paint, you must first mix it with water. Use a ratio of one and a half-cups of cold water to two tablespoons of corn starch. Once it is well mixed, put it on the stove over low heat. Heat the mixture while stirring continuously until it forms into a paste. Let it cool completely before adding it to the paint. Add a little at a time mixing well after each addition. Good luck Grandma Pat. Hope all is well with you.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jun 05, 2020

    Actually you can buy a commercial thickener it is clear and gel like it works very nicely check out your favorite craft store or online source.

  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Jun 06, 2020

    Hi there Pat, here's a fun video that will show you how to make Impasto paints with acrylics using talcum powder and glue - https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=85&v=HCzRY8ofn20&feature=emb_logo

  • K. Rupp K. Rupp on Jun 06, 2020

    you can use hardware store materials for texture. Try adding stucco patch or cement mixed with glue. Works great and a ton cheaper than texture you get from liquitex. Experiment.... It won't be as smooth but if you are just trying to add texture to a painting, this might be all you need. If you don't want to make it and price doesn't matter you can buy texture (liquitex) already made. Here is an artists site. You will have to search around for just the type of texture you need:


    https://www.dickblick.com/products/liquitex-texture-gels/

  • Deb K Deb K on Jun 07, 2020

    Hello Grandma Pat,

    Thicken Paint with Cornstarch

    Use a ratio of 1 ½ cups of cold water to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Once it is well-mixed, place it on the stove over low heat. Heat the mixture while stirring continuously until it has a consistency similar to paste

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Apr 06, 2021

    Hello Pat,

    You could use Corn Starch or Sand if you want it to be gritty.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jul 19, 2021

    Hi, You could add sand, Powder of any kind etc.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Aug 31, 2021

    a bit of baking soda