Home Forums The Learning Center Color Theory and Mixing making acrylics more opaque

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  • #992526
    opainter
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        It seems easy and natural to make acrylics more transparent – just add some medium to them.

        But I want to make acrylics that are already transparent or semi-transparent (because their pigments are this way) more opaque. Some examples of such colors are Perylene Red (PR149), Potter’s Pink (PR233), and Transparent Yellow (or Azo Condensation Yellow) (PY128). (Potter’s Pink is semi-opaque, but I would like to make it more opaque if this is possible.) Is there some medium, other than an opaque paint, that can be mixed with these colors to make them more opaque?

        AJ (opainter), C&C always welcome
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        #1216682
        Gigalot
        Default

            Opaque Acrylic said to be hard to make. :) The binder can’t carry high amount of pigments.. In oil I have Opaquer Red iron oxide, Chromium Oxide green, Mars Black, Caput-Mortuum, Titanium White, Cobalt chromite blue-green, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red in high pigmented, artist’s grade form. I also can use a trick to add Aluminum flakes powder to paint. It gives high opacity to a mixtures.

            #1216675
            Mythrill
            Default

                It seems easy and natural to make acrylics more transparent – just add some medium to them.

                But I want to make acrylics that are already transparent or semi-transparent (because their pigments are this way) more opaque. Some examples of such colors are Perylene Red (PR149), Potter’s Pink (PR233), and Transparent Yellow (or Azo Condensation Yellow) (PY128). (Potter’s Pink is semi-opaque, but I would like to make it more opaque if this is possible.) Is there some medium, other than an opaque paint, that can be mixed with these colors to make them more opaque?

                Hi, opainter!

                The most common way to make your pigments more opaque is to add Titanium White (PW 6) to your paint. Then, cover everything as necessary and glaze with your transparent color until everything is rich and saturated.

                A more sophisticated option is to paint with a color known to be opaque in acrylics that is close to your transparent color and then glaze with your transparent color. One example would be painting with opaque Yellow Iron Oxide (PY 42) and glazing with Transparent Yellow (PY 128).

                That also leads me to Gigalot’s statement:

                Opaque Acrylic said to be hard to make. :) The binder can’t carry high amount of pigments.. In oil I have Opaquer Red iron oxide, Chromium Oxide green, Mars Black, Caput-Mortuum, Titanium White, Cobalt chromite blue-green, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red in high pigmented, artist’s grade form. I also can use a trick to add Aluminum flakes powder to paint. It gives high opacity to a mixtures.

                Giga, it’s true that acrylics are harder to make opaque than oils. However, all the colors you have mentioned are opaque in acrylics. Those colors is that they probably disperse better in water. Since they have high solubility and their particles are really small, you can cram as much paint as you want into acrylic film.

                An example of pigment that’s probably not as easily soluble in water is Cerulean Blue (PB 35). However, its variant, Cerulean Blue Chromium and the much bluer variant, Cobalt Chromite Blue (both PB 36), have increased pigment load in acrylics.

                #1216692
                DMSS
                Default

                    Mythrill:Great tips.

                    --David

                    #1216685
                    opainter
                    Default

                        Hi, Mythrill!

                        The most common way to make your pigments more opaque is to add Titanium White (PW 6) to your paint. Then, cover everything as necessary and glaze with your transparent color until everything is rich and saturated.

                        A more sophisticated option is to paint with a color known to be opaque in acrylics that is close to your transparent color and then glaze with your transparent color. One example would be painting with opaque Yellow Iron Oxide (PY 42) and glazing with Transparent Yellow (PY 128).

                        I was thinking somewhat along the same lines, but instead of glazing with the transparent color (which is an added step), tinting with it instead. Unfortunately, there are limits to how dark one is going to be able to get the paint, considering the white that is already in it. So, I must overcome my squeamishness :eek: about glazing colors and, as the motivational coaches will tell you, “Just do it!” :D

                        I had always thought of glazing as something that was done to an entire painting, but in this case, one would apply glaze on a color-by-color basis? :confused:

                        AJ (opainter), C&C always welcome
                        :::: Helpful links for new users: User Agreement || Reference Images || C&C Suggestions || Color Theory and Mixing (color theory and color selection) || Full List of Forums
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                        #1216690
                        PB29
                        Default

                            I believe Golden Molding paste is made of marble dust mixed into a gel medium, and might make acrylic colors more opaque. I’ve been meaning to try this myself; thanks for reminding me about this!

                            #1216686
                            opainter
                            Default

                                I believe Golden Molding paste is made of marble dust mixed into a gel medium, and might make acrylic colors more opaque. I’ve been meaning to try this myself; thanks for reminding me about this!

                                Thanks for the tip. (And you’re welcome for the reminder!)

                                Has anyone tried either of Golden’s “Molding Paste” or “Light Molding Paste”? Or any other molding or modeling paste (not just Golden products)? Would use of white gesso be as effective? What might you recommend?

                                AJ (opainter), C&C always welcome
                                :::: Helpful links for new users: User Agreement || Reference Images || C&C Suggestions || Color Theory and Mixing (color theory and color selection) || Full List of Forums
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                                #1216676
                                Mythrill
                                Default

                                    I had always thought of glazing as something that was done to an entire painting, but in this case, one would apply glaze on a color-by-color basis? :confused:

                                    Hi, opainter!

                                    Yes, that is correct. Glazing just means applying one color on the top of the another dry color. Colors mix only optically, and you can glaze a whole painting or just a small section, and as many times as you want – provided that the underlayers are stable enough.

                                    In the case of acrylics, upper layers will always be flexible, so that’s not really an issue. If you are using oils, it’s best if the underlayer is a fast-drying paint (e.g, an umber layer). Slower-drying layers must come on the top of the other.

                                    #1216687
                                    opainter
                                    Default

                                        Hi, Mythrill!

                                        Good! Thanks for the information!

                                        AJ (opainter), C&C always welcome
                                        :::: Helpful links for new users: User Agreement || Reference Images || C&C Suggestions || Color Theory and Mixing (color theory and color selection) || Full List of Forums
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                                        #1216688
                                        opainter
                                        Default

                                            Another person asked this same question over in the Acrylics forum (which might be where it more properly belongs). Oddly enough, it seems that I was one of the persons who at least attempted to answer this question! (Link to that thread.)

                                            Just goes to show you that people can become forgetful! :eek:

                                            By the way, Mythrill, thanks for answering this question now twice!!

                                            AJ (opainter), C&C always welcome
                                            :::: Helpful links for new users: User Agreement || Reference Images || C&C Suggestions || Color Theory and Mixing (color theory and color selection) || Full List of Forums
                                            :::: Painting Blog with an article now and then

                                            #1216677
                                            Mythrill
                                            Default

                                                Another person asked this same question over in the Acrylics forum (which might be where it more properly belongs). Oddly enough, it seems that I was one of the persons who at least attempted to answer this question! ([URL=https://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1360912]Link to that thread.[/URL])

                                                Just goes to show you that people can become forgetful! :eek:

                                                By the way, Mythrill, thanks for answering this question now [I]twice[/I]!!

                                                Hi, opainter!

                                                I don’t mind answering these questions if it helps clarifying things to people. :)

                                                #1216689
                                                opainter
                                                Default

                                                    Hi, opainter!

                                                    I don’t mind answering these questions if it helps clarifying things to people. :)

                                                    Just give me enough time, and I’ll probably ask this question again! :clear:

                                                    Maybe by then, people will have thought up of different answers!!

                                                    AJ (opainter), C&C always welcome
                                                    :::: Helpful links for new users: User Agreement || Reference Images || C&C Suggestions || Color Theory and Mixing (color theory and color selection) || Full List of Forums
                                                    :::: Painting Blog with an article now and then

                                                    #1216674
                                                    WaltWally
                                                    Default

                                                        I’m a big fan of glazing! One can achieve the necessary opacity with lower chroma paints, and then bring them up to the almost stained-glass brlilliance one is aiming for.

                                                        It also allows one to endlessly second-guess oneself. This can be good or bad.

                                                        From Golden Acrylics chart of their Heavy Body line:
                                                        Their 108 colors, ranked by opacity (1 to 8 scale):

                                                        [INDENT][FONT=”Arial Black] 1[/FONT] (MOST OPAQUE)
                                                        [INDENT]Chromium Oxide Green Dark
                                                        Chromium Oxide Green
                                                        Yellow Oxide
                                                        Red Oxide
                                                        Violet Oxide
                                                        Raw Umber
                                                        Carbon Black
                                                        Mars Black[/INDENT]

                                                        [FONT=”Arial Black] 2[/FONT]
                                                        [INDENT]C.P. Cadmium Red Light *
                                                        C.P. Cadmium Red Medium *
                                                        C.P. Cadmium Red Dark *
                                                        Pyrrole Red Dark *
                                                        Light Magenta *
                                                        Medium Magenta
                                                        Medium Violet *
                                                        Light Violet *
                                                        Light Ultramarine Blue
                                                        Cobalt Blue Hue
                                                        Anthraquinone Blue
                                                        Prussian Blue Hue *
                                                        Cerulean Blue Deep
                                                        Cobalt Turquois
                                                        Teal
                                                        Light Turquois (Phthalo)
                                                        Cobalt Green
                                                        Jenkins Green
                                                        Light Green (Yellow Shade) *
                                                        Yellow Ochre
                                                        Mars Yellow
                                                        Burnt Sienna
                                                        Burnt Umber Light
                                                        Burnt Umber
                                                        Bone Black
                                                        Paynes Gray
                                                        Titan Buff
                                                        Naples Yellow Hue
                                                        Titanium White
                                                        N2 Neutral Gray
                                                        N3 Neutral Gray
                                                        N4 Neutral Gray
                                                        N5 Neutral Gray
                                                        N6 Neutral Gray
                                                        N7 Neutral Gray
                                                        N8 Neutral Gray
                                                        [/INDENT]

                                                        [FONT=”Arial Black] 3[/FONT]
                                                        [INDENT]Titanate Yellow
                                                        Bismuth Vanadate Yellow
                                                        C.P. Cadmium Yellow Medium *
                                                        Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue *
                                                        C.P. Cadmium Yellow Dark *
                                                        C.P. Cadmium Orange *
                                                        Pyrrole Red Light
                                                        Pyrrole Red
                                                        Cadmium Red Medium Hue *
                                                        Permanent Maroon
                                                        Permanent Violet Dark
                                                        Cobalt Violet Hue *
                                                        Dioxazine Purple *
                                                        Cobalt Blue
                                                        Cerulean Blue, Chromium
                                                        Phthalo Blue (Red Shade)
                                                        Phthalo Blue (Green Shade)
                                                        Primary Cyan
                                                        Turquois (Phthalo)
                                                        Phthalo Green (Blue Shade)
                                                        Viridian Green Hue
                                                        Phthalo Green (Yellow Shade)
                                                        Permanent Green Light *
                                                        Hookers Green Hue
                                                        Sap Green Hue
                                                        Light Green (Blue Shade) *
                                                        Raw Sienna
                                                        VanDyke Brown Hue
                                                        Graphite Gray
                                                        [/INDENT]

                                                        [FONT=”Arial Black] 4[/FONT]
                                                        [INDENT]C.P. Cadmium Yellow Primrose *
                                                        C.P. Cadmium Yellow Light *
                                                        Aureolin Hue *
                                                        Naphthol Red Light *
                                                        Primary Magenta
                                                        Alizarin Crimson Hue
                                                        Quinacridone Violet
                                                        Manganese Blue Hue
                                                        Green Gold *
                                                        Transparent Brown Iron Oxide
                                                        [/INDENT]

                                                        [FONT=”Arial Black] 5[/FONT]
                                                        [INDENT]Hansa Yellow Opaque
                                                        Quinacridone Burnt Orange
                                                        Diarylide Yellow
                                                        Vat Orange
                                                        Pyrrole Orange *
                                                        Naphthol Red Medium *
                                                        Quinacridone Crimson
                                                        Ultramarine Violet *
                                                        Azurite Hue
                                                        Terre Verte Hue
                                                        [/INDENT]

                                                        [FONT=”Arial Black] 6[/FONT]
                                                        [INDENT]Hansa Yellow Light *
                                                        Primary Yellow *
                                                        Quinacridone / Nickel Azo Gold
                                                        Quinacridone Red
                                                        Smalt Hue *
                                                        Ultramarine Blue *
                                                        [/INDENT]

                                                        [FONT=”Arial Black] 7[/FONT]
                                                        [INDENT]Hansa Yellow Medium
                                                        Nickel Azo Yellow
                                                        Indian Yellow Hue
                                                        Quinacridone Red Light
                                                        Quinacridone Magenta
                                                        Zinc White
                                                        [/INDENT]

                                                        [FONT=”Arial Black] 8[/FONT]
                                                        [INDENT]Transparent Pyrrole Orange *
                                                        Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide
                                                        Transparent Red Iron Oxide
                                                        [/INDENT][/INDENT]

                                                        The asterisks note paints that did not get BOTH ‘lightfastness I’ AND ‘excellent’ in Permanence. Golden’s website gives the most complete data on their paints that I’ve ever seen. (Does any other maker use an eight-point scale for opacity/transparency?)

                                                        Except for the cadmiums (‘not for exterior use’) the more opaque pigments are also the most permanent – and cheapest, most being ‘earth’ tones.

                                                        "A badly made patch is still better than a well-made hole."
                                                        [FONT="Book Antiqua"]--Lucie Margarite

                                                        [/B]" I am at my most serious when I'm joking."
                                                        [FONT="Book Antiqua"]--The Angel Dudley,The Bishop's Wife
                                                        [/CENTER][/COLOR]
                                                        "Two things are infinite: Space and Human Stupidity—and I'm not sure about Space!"
                                                        [FONT="Book Antiqua"]--Albert Einstein
                                                        [/center][/COLOR][/B]
                                                        #1216694
                                                        Mario_K
                                                        Default

                                                            Does it matter if my white is not titanium white if I want to make transparent colours more opaque? I have a tub of white which I need to finish before buying titanium.

                                                            My paintings are shown on the following:
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                                                            https://www.facebook.com/marioknezartist

                                                            #1216678

                                                            Does it matter if my white is not titanium white if I want to make transparent colours more opaque? I have a tub of white which I need to finish before buying titanium.

                                                            It changes a lot if your white is zync white or titanium white. Zync is very transparent, while titanium is rather opaque. That said, most UNAMED white tubes are titanium white.

                                                            "no no! You are doing it all wrong, in the internet we are supposed to be stubborn, inflexible and arrogant. One cannot simply be suddenly reasonable and reflexive in the internet, that breaks years of internet tradition as a medium of anger, arrogance, bigotry and self entitlement. Damm these internet newcomers being nice to to others!!!"

                                                            "If brute force does not solve your problem, then you are not using enough!"

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