What is the difference between matte and gloss medium?

Matte medium gives a flat, non-reflecting finish and can dull color slightly. Gloss medium adds shine and deepens color. Mixing the two gives a satin or semi-gloss result.

Can I use it to thin acrylic paint?

Yes. Mixing it with Heavy Body or Basics color extends volume and increases translucency while lowering viscosity. With Soft Body color it extends volume while keeping the same consistency.

Can I use it as a fixative for pastel or graphite?

Yes. Mix one part medium with one part distilled water and apply with an atomizer or airbrush. Too much medium on the surface can cause fogging.

Can it replace gesso as a ground?

It works as a transparent ground with good tooth and adhesion, letting the support show through. Liquitex Clear Gesso has more tooth if you plan to paint or draw over it heavily.

Can I use it outdoors on murals?

It can be brushed over a smooth wall or support as a coat before painting. For exterior work, seal the finished mural with a varnish rated for outdoor use.

It goes on opaque and milky when wet and dries clear and translucent, so you can see where you have applied it.

Where is the Liquitex Fluid Gloss & Matte Mediums cheapest?

At Amazon, for $16.16, 30% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.

Where can I buy the Liquitex Fluid Gloss & Matte Mediums?

15 stores we checked sell it, including Amazon, Jackson's Art Supplies, Hobby Lobby, Walmart, Artist and Craftsman Supply.

Liquitex Fluid Gloss & Matte Mediums

Q: What do buyers say about the Liquitex Fluid Gloss & Matte Mediums?

Rated 5 out of 5 from 14 ratings.

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$16.16at AmazonChecked 6 h ago

30% under what the other stores charge

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What reviewers say

5 / 514 ratings

Rated 5 out of 5 from 14 ratings, buyers treat it as a dependable workhorse medium. They value the flat finish, the way it stretches paint, and its use as a fixative and ground.

What people mention

FinishPraisedBuyers like the flat, non-reflecting look it gives acrylic color.
Extending paintPraisedUsers say it stretches color and adds translucency without thinning it too far.
VersatilityPraisedOwners use it as an extender, a matte fixative and a clear ground.
FoggingCriticisedSpraying too much as a fixative can leave a foggy surface.

About the Liquitex Fluid Gloss & Matte Mediums

Liquitex Fluid Matte Medium is a soft-body acrylic medium. Mixed into acrylic paint, it creates a matte, non-reflecting finish. It is opaque when wet and translucent when dry.

Mixed into any acrylic paint, it increases transparency, extends color, increases matte sheen and improves film integrity. It also eases the flow of the paint and adds flexibility and adhesion to the paint film. Mixed with Gloss Medium & Varnish, it produces a semi-gloss or satin medium.

It can also be used as a matte fixative over pastel, graphite or chalk artwork, and as a transparent ground (size) instead of gesso. As a ground, it has excellent tooth and adhesion and lets the color and texture of the support show through.

Type

Soft body fluid matte acrylic medium

Finish

Matte, non-reflecting

Appearance

Opaque when wet, translucent when dry

As an extender

Mix with Soft Body Concentrated Artist Color to extend volume and increase translucency while maintaining viscosity

Extending other paints

Mix with Heavy Body Artist Color or Basics Acrylic Color to extend volume and increase translucency while decreasing viscosity

Semi-gloss or satin

Mix with Gloss Medium & Varnish

As a fixative

Mix 1 part Matte Medium with 1 part distilled water and apply with an atomizer or airbrush over pastel, graphite or chalk. Excess medium may cause fogging.

As a ground

Transparent ground (size) instead of gesso; can substitute for rabbit skin and hide glue size under oil paint

Exterior murals

On a somewhat smooth support or wall, brush on one coat or spray two coats before gessoing