Make Your Acrylic Paints Last for MONTHS! | Snow Leopard Painting Process

One of the best and worst qualities of acrylic paints is the drying time. Great when you want to work in lots of layers and paint quickly, Awful if you need to paint over a long period of time and the paint on your palette turns into a crusty, lumpy, dried, mess. Fortunately I have discovered a way to make my acrylic paints last for an entire painting even when that painting takes me months to complete! I bought this new product and it absolutely blew me away with how well it worked. This video was originally going to be a painting vlog but I couldn't not tell you about this game changing new tool!
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[@StudioWildlife]

Acrylics are mine and Amber's favourite mediums to use, especially now I have solved the problem with drying time. If you've got any other acrylic painting tips please let us know in the comments or you can read Amber's Top 5 tips for acrylic painting here: studiowildlife.com/how-to-paint-with-acrylics-5-top-tips-from-pro-artists/

[@amiemarieart]

I prefer a matte finish to my paintings, and mix matte medium into the retarder to knock back the "shine" that retarder can add. I'm in Australia, and use either mattise or liquitex brand

[@Artgladiator-9]

please give reference picture

[@CurtisBoyefio]

yeah@@Artgladiator-9

[@casper4106]

I buy 30ml clear jars (20 of them) mix my colours in each of them and add a couple of drops of water and put the lids on when I finish. so far they have lasted over 2 years with no film/hardening occurring. I am in no way as talented as you (you are amazing and I love ALL your work) but due to my back injury, I can only stand or sit for 10 minutes at a time which makes trying to paint very tedious and very long, hence why I needed to find a way for my acrylics mixes to last way longer as I was going through paint like I was going through undies.

[@1sacoyle]

Another great way to keep your paint moist is to use a Masterson Stay Wet Palette.

[@rebeccakahrs7290]

Also….get yourself a small airbrush compressor and use the airbrush to spray a fine mist of water on your painting as your working….this also slows down the drying time and it’s amazing.

[@scottpitner4298]

I ended up getting a distress sprayer bottle and it’s a super fine mist of water. Works great and just like a regular spray bottle but finer.

[@MissIdolize]

I love watching you paint and your artwork is fabulous! After reading the comments I think folks tend to forget that oil & acrylic paints are two entirely different mediums, each with pros and cons. Oils don't just stay wet and workable on the substrate. They also may have to be left to dry properly for *months to allow the 'chemical process' to happen completely before they can be varnished. *Depending on paint thickness. Even the water-based oils need a while to 'cure'. I love the look and feel of oils and have tried using them many times but no way do I have the patience or space for this! Wish I did, but alas. However, I think nowadays acrylics have come on leaps and bounds (oils too actually) and now artists are able to create works that look like oil paintings but are actually acrylic - you sir are a perfect example! But both can be used together. Oils can be applied thick or thin on acrylic underpainting or in layered glazes over acrylics with gorgeous results. Can't happen other way round tho! I also use acrylics and have had many issues (battles actually) with their quick drying time coupled with my inability to mix enough (quantity) colours no matter how hard I try (still a problem for me!) I've tried sooo many different products and various brands of retarder that claim to keep the paint wet and workable longer without changing consistency etc, but had very little luck until I too discovered Jackson's Acrylic Retarder. What a difference it made to my painting technique - and my confidence in using acrylic paints! Jackson's Art Supplies have an excellent reputation and their own range of products is growing and very popular here in UK. Their stuff is good quality so that in itself makes me feel good! Someone commented on possible cracking. This shouldn't happen as most, if not all acrylic mediums are basically acrylic polymers (same as the paint but with no pigment / colour). I have the Jackson's tub in front of me now and it reads: "100% Acrylic and U.V. resistant. Vehicle: Acrylic Polymer Emulsion. Add maximum 10% to increase open time." So, as long as instructions are followed all should be fine. Also, I did a quick test by mixing some JAR with water then just used this 'water' as I would normally when painting. It works! The amount may require a bit of experimenting but it does work. Amazing stuff!

[@papaspaulding]

I love using both oils and acrylics and likewise as you said both have their pros and cons. Ironically when using acrylics I'll paint in a more old masters technique utilising the drying time and applying more glazes. Ive found making a stay wet palette will keep the acrylics wet for as long as you need, ie months at a time without having to add any retarder or mediums. Id say the only thing I dont like about acrylics is the overall finish compared to oils. regardless of whatever varnish you use you can always tell acrylic and oil paintings apart as acrylics have a 'dry' almost duller look to them if comparing side by side to oils

[@amiemarieart]

I love this product, I use a different brand here in Australia, but it is amazing. I also use a 'wet pallet' that has a damp pad under the baking paper, it also has a lid over it to keep the moisture in. Another awesome video as always 😊

[@elijahfinch3889]

I'm in Australia too. what brand do you use?

[@amiemarieart]

@@elijahfinch3889 I use either matisse or liquitex, they both work great. I also mix it with a bit of matte medium, to knock back the shine, but that part is a personal preference.

[@kuchen_]

Does the paint take weeks to dry on canvas or just on a stay-wet palette? At 7:55, he said it adds blending time on the canvas “for a minute or so.” I’m also in Aus and use Atelier Interactive because I can reopen dried layers on canvas with the “Unlocking Formula” and continue blending. But I only went with this brand because I thought a retarder additive only gives you a few more minutes of workability.

[@amiemarieart]

@@kuchen_ no it dries on the canvas quite quickly as it is spread out

[@drmidnight680-kz2le]

​@@kuchen_use oil paints, if you use smaller layers it dries in a few days also easier to use than acrylics and you get better results. Just buy the cheaper brands

[@mrmaison4924]

There's a product called "Stay Wet Pallet". comes in different sizes. Keeps the paint wet for a very long time with only water in the sponge under specially made paper. Been using it for 30 years.

[@bonniewood5286]

Hi, I’m a watercolourist wildlife artist. After watching some of your videos it seems the approach to acrylic painting is almost the opposite of watercolours! I have been interested in trying acrylics for wildlife but had no real luck and I see from your videos it was a different approach. Your work is stunning and I appreciate your tips and how you go about it! Thank you for that. The elephant in my icon picture is one of mine. 💗🇨🇦

[@JoyceHAnderson-rp5bf]

Thanks for your video. I found a way to store my favorite, most frequently used pre-mixed acrylic colors for sometimes as long as a year. I pre-mix a color that I use often, into a small plastic paint cup that has a tight lid. Then I spray a small amount of fine water mist on top of the paint and on the underside of the lid so that it will make a tiny cloud inside the container. Whenever I've opened it again for more than a minute or so, I spray inside again a fine mist of water before closing it again. I've done this for years and it works great. I throw the paint away after a year but often it is still soft anyway.

[@susannesamuelsson2930]

Love the painting you have created of my favorite animal the elusive snow leopard or the ghost of the mountains! I'm not an artist but the medium to blend in to keep your colors wet and workable sounds really perfect! ❤

[@sukijay4990]

I keep my palette in a large plastic container when I’ve finished painting for the day and before I close the lid down and cover it with a cloth, I spray the paint generously with water. Even after a week away from home, when I returned the paint was still wet.

[@pedramtajeddini5100]

Do you put the wet cloth straight on the paint? Isn't that messy or am i confused

[@mayrarichards4977]

I am using the Liguitex slow dri medium. It says that it gives the paint 40% more dry time. I am going t mist the paints with water too. I just don't like how the paint sticks to the plastic cling wrap when you take it off. I just ordered a Rubbermaid container that's just a little larger than my glass palette. It should work the same as the plastic wrap without worrying about losing any paint on the wrap when taking it off. Thanks for all the great tips. I am learning a lot and improving a lot from your valuable lessons.

[@nickthomas2643]

You definitely did your Homework on how to prevent the drying time. Thank you for sharing.

[@ananeira8489]

Very helpful to many that don’t know what to do in this case of the Acrylics . 💫💫💫💫💫💫💫

[@dawnf2z1]

Thanks for sharing this. Love Jacksons products

[@amel2784]

A real game changer. I gave up acyrlics bc of the fast drying time, particularly as i live in a hot dry climate. And that cat is super sweet. Love the painting.

[@papaspaulding]

I find you can keep acrylics wet for months just making a stay wet palette using a large piece of tupperware (if you can find the right size and dimensions) or a baking tray. Ive used smaller tupperware for small study paintings then forgot about them and opened them 12+ months later and found a pallette of acrylic paint still wet, all using nothing but water (no medium) The irony being I wish there was a way to keep oils on the pallette wet without changing their consistency

[@dixiehester9564]

For my oils I use an airtight palette. I forget the brand name, but got mine on Amazon. It has seperate paint wells with a big mixing surface. After each painting session, I clean off the mixing area( if paint mixed with medium is thin) and store the palette in the regrigerator.

[@papaspaulding]

@@dixiehester9564 How long does it keep the oils wet for?

[@dixiehester9564]

The oils that are straight from the tube that I put in the wells will last several months without forming a film. I mostly paint in thin glazes ( paint mixed with a fast dry medium) and do not mix large quanities. These thin mixes will not last overnight, so I clean the mixing area each day with oderless mineral spirits. I have had a thicker mix last a few days though. I use a stay wet palette for my acrylics and sometimes a retarder.

[@robyounce644]

Thanks for posting love this one

[@tusk242]

I use store bought canvas, only because I have a number of them They are the flat board, not the greatest. However, i do use RUST-Oleum. Once one good coat that was put on while I walked around the canvas to spray, I then sand it, and then repeat the process again. I also give the back side a good spray, but skip the sanding. Being Dyslexic, a white canvas is harder for me to see the color shapes , without being as if floating on top. Many artist do not know why they do not like doing anything on a white, because Dyslexia is not talked about much. Much of this is the result of some students doing poorly in school. The black print on white. For awhile there had been lightly cream colored , pink, or blue paper, usually in the stationary area, However since the Pandemic it is not available, Besides many teachers did not like assignment on different colored paper. There are five different parts to dyslexia. I learned from Owen Gromme, who would catch me skipping school at 10 years of age, and going to the Milwaukee Museum to sketch the animals and the birds. He told me about sketching upside down. to see it as a shape, not an object. Owen Gromme and Robert Batman sometimes went to Africa together.. I do after finished with my Acrylic Painting , use a clear coat , when dry, I will use oil paint to make the colors stand out more. Glad to know the CHIPPING IS FALSE. People said it was because they changed the formula

[@MissIdolize]

I'd really, really appreciate a video on how to mix 'enough' or larger quantities of colour. I do many portraits, both head and full body. Like you, I do big paintings: my average surface is usually 24 x 30 inch canvas. As I mentioned in my previous comment a year ago (a whole year gone... really?), I have a real problem when it comes to mixing enough of each colour. I never seem to be able to mix enough. Seems an easy task yet I have failed many times! But if I knew how, I could pre-mix into small jars in prep for my next people painting! You may have a video on this already. If yo do I will find it, but if not will you please, please demonstrate how to do this? It is very important yet so hard to find info on. Many thanks from Scotland.

[@crunchtimewalkthroughs2141]

That painting looks 🔥🔥🔥 thank you for sharing good tips

[@bojanrafailovic6266]

I think that if you mix retarder with the water it will make it so the paint on the canvas acts even more like oil cause it stops the water from evaporating

[@fernanddurler4709]

Can you do a video on best choice of projector…one that has good key line correction and large mural or canvas enlargements without distortion?thanks for your tips and great work

[@RMS777]

Snow Leopard Painting Beautiful upload Big like 182

[@marcolucia9268]

ciao sei veramente bravo grazie per i tuoi video

[@georgewilliamssr5230]

Cool. I'm going to go find some.

[@lupitasaenz6819]

Amazing! Thank you ❤

[@ingrdidmayo6174]

Beautiful job👏❤️♥️Could you indicate the miraculous product, I would like to try something new. Thank you... I always enjoy your works, how you paint is incredible. I love to paint too, I hope to do it like you😊

[@reneekroyer5104]

Love this video, thank you for sharing your techniques with us. When you said to use an extra coat of gesso on a store-bought canvas, did you mean clear gesso? White gesso?

[@ananeira8489]

Hi great work and thank you for the tip of the Retarder ,Totally loved thank you ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

[@lilacblossom5520]

A new subscriber here, I've followed your link to Jackson's and purchased some Retarder Medium. You are an extremely talented artist, I love your work x

[@masumajaffer9610]

Love this painting!! Absolutely fabulous. Thank you for sharing tips and tricks. Would like to attempt to paint a similar one with your guidance. What size of canvas have you used?

[@rebeccaboswell9440]

Can't recommend a wet pallet enough for acrylics. I'm using a homemade one but I know redgrass do a great one.

[@Andriyanova_Ilona]

Thanks❤

[@Jul1aedits-1]

Tomorrow I'm making this painting and I know I'm not perfect but I love to paint and want to be a artist because it's my passion I also think where will I put this GIANT thing😂

[@pablomanila2422]

I place my palette in a portable cooler box, the ones you bring in campings, to keep them wet even without retarder mix.

[@linneaheaverlo688]

Do I use a fine mist sprayer to mist the paint before adding Saran Wrap? I don’t have an airbrush so wondering if the fine mister is still too much?

[@violetsky5357]

Are you able to use a hair dryer to dry the paint if needed while using this product? How long does it take to dry on your canvas? Gorgeous painting btw!!!!! Thank you for your videos - they're so inspiring!

[@StudioWildlife]

Yes I used a hair dryer, it took between 30 seconds and 2 minutes to dry depending on how thick or watered down the paint was. More water = faster drying

[@sundarjadhav815]

Hi, sir all ur painting like it

[@RobertJonesWightpaint]

Acrylic retarders have been available for decades: I'm looking at a bottle of the Rowney retarder which I've had for over 30 years - as there's still some left, obviously I'm made precious little use of it; wonder if it still works... Others recommend the Stay-wet palette: I have the Masterson's version, the snag there being mould growth - washing it out with white vinegar, or Milton fluid, maybe Iso alcohol, helps to control it. Not mould really hurts the paint, but it does make the painting process a bit unpleasant. Anyway, the Jackson's product may be new, but retarders certainly aren't.

[@StudioWildlife]

Thanks for the tips with the palette :) I may have phrased it slightly wrong in the video, I meant the retarder is new to me, I have never used one before rather than they are a completely new concept 😂

[@brendawillems4804]

@@StudioWildlifeahh oké, I was also thinking: what is so super great about Jackson retarder? I used many retarder brands and my acrylics still dry’s in minutes 😟

[@user-rx1ef6xq1i]

How do you project the image onto the canvas?

[@PEPA3RD]

Do you have any experience with the "wet palette"? You can buy a professional one, but it is also very easy to make one and try it out first. It works even without a retarder.

[@michaelmattheiss9282]

Won't the saran wrap peel off half your paint from the palette? (like it does with icing on a cake)

[@elmasulek9424]

I couldn't find the Jackson's retarder on their website. Is it discontinued?

[@dihan7574]

Hi I can keep my acrylic paint wet for months by having a damp sponge in the bottom of an air tight container I have had wet paint for over three months

[@kanariskanari7467]

HI im Kanaris from Cypprus Far East of Europe in the Medeteranian sea. You say it sta y wet for long period of tom but once its applied on the canvacs roughly how long can it take o dry on the double gesso preppd surface. I am aware the point is it stays wet for along tome onthe pallet ready o ay continue blending afterseveral days but as i said before once on the canvas under normal temperatures how long dose it take to cure thanks i am noe als subscribed on your chanel for all you tutorial as you have a gifted way of explaining my new passion to paint as photo realistically as i can at this stage God bless you my son i am 64 years old and ull of enthusiasm Thank you 🙏🏻

[@StudioWildlife]

Thank you, on the canvas it takes around 30 seconds to about 2 minutes depending on how much water you use. More water =faster drying

[@cosmicfxx]

What brush do you mostly ... filbert or flat or round?

[@slayerdude18]

so,... what is this product that keeps your paint wet for a month....? @studioWildlife

[@geoffc1862]

Stunning leopard you have there! When you remove the cling film from your palette, doesn't some of the paint come off with it? Why not put your palette into a sealable but shallow tray?

[@StudioWildlife]

That would work really well too! I just don’t have one available. And because the paint is so wet and I don’t press the cling film on too hard it doesn’t really lift up much of the paint so I can reuse the piece of cling film if I am careful. But I am going to look at some sealable trays that would fit my large glass palette as it would be much easier to do with a lid 😂

[@geoffc1862]

@@StudioWildlife used to be called tupperware! But others are now available... 😀

[@lenny108]

It seems for painting fur one needs a brush with one hair only.

[@zanetreidemorguna8940]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@adrianschapendonk6589]

ah, you mean Glad Wrap, if you're in Australia. Cling Film...

[@glenrappold5393]

Doesn't half the paint stick to the cling wrap when you remove it?

[@StudioWildlife]

Not really, there’s a very tiny amount that sticks to it but 99% stays on the palette 😁

[@sundarjadhav815]

Hi sir may I request u for Dr. B.R.ambedkar realystik portert

[@CurtisBoyefio]

can u send me the link to this picture

[@Chromatic-illustrator.]

no, i am in india😁 at 8:25

[@drmidnight680-kz2le]

I would just use oil paints

[@ineshrughooa2632]

Could you send me the reference photo please!🙏🙏

[@sherryhackler2434]

What size canvas did you use?

[@StudioWildlife]

If I’m remembering correctly it was 100cm x 40cm

[@sherryhackler2434]

Thanks for responding! Gonna use your video as inspiration to practice. Much love from NC!❤

[@fernanddurler4709]

Too much retarder will crack on your canvas later maybe? I HEARD MAXIMUM 1-3 PART MIXTURE

[@YSL421]

Wow amazing...... But I have one question in my mind that if you want that your painting remains wet till the end then why to use retarder and not oil colours. Because they do the same thing as their basic characteristics. Because I honestly think that if you would like to finish a painting as soon as possible then you should go for watercolor or acrylic. Only thing is that you have to work faster in these mediums. Just expressed my feelings no offense please 🙏

[@StudioWildlife]

I agree if you want to keep your paint on the canvas wet all the time then use oils but that is not what I am doing here. The acrylic paint is still drying fast on the canvas so I can build the painting up in layers very quickly. It’s just stopping the paint drying out on the palette so that you don’t have to keep mixing your colours at the start of every session. With oil paints you may have to wait weeks between each layer rather than a few minutes with the acrylics

[@YSL421]

@@StudioWildlife oh yes. Thank you so much for your kind reply. I did not take into consideration this aspect.

[@rayfor7929]

Instead of having to add retarder just use Golden Open Paints.

[@johnrevill1087]

Acrylic retarded isn't new you might find you'll get problems with crackling in the future I stopped using it because of this I just use a stay wet pallet

[@waleedtuber1805]

1st

[@MrGoranPa]

Good luck with months of wet paint. Rather try water mixable lindseed oil.

[@StudioWildlife]

I do use oils as well in some of my work, but sometimes when I work in smaller less ventilated spaces I get headaches with oils, even the watermixable ones. The linseed oils used for the medium can cause it too. Using the acrylics and this medium helps when painting in less ventilated spaces as it doesn’t release any gases

[@KIPS123]

Have you painted horses ?

[@StudioWildlife]

I haven’t but my partner Amber has, here’s a video for it kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpmnoZ18f6l4d7M