How can I get acrylic paints to blend better?

Answer 1

The answerer who said acrylics aren't for blending is mistaken.

Acrylics blend best when used with medium - gloss is best as you don't lose any chroma. You can buy (or make) a glazing medium which includes liquid medium (not gel) and a small amount of retarder - this gives you more time for blending.

Most important - adding water doesn't work well because it breaks up the binder in the paint and makes it streaky, and can even make the paint dry too quickly by thinning the layer too much.

Answer 2

acrylic paints aren't really meant to "blend better" ... they are made to mix on a pallet and apply... oils are for blending.
but, you can of course trick the eye.... you just have to work fast... or get a paint retarder for acrylics... that way they won't dry as fast and you can have extra time to blend.
I have done paintings where people think it's oils but it's actually acrylics... check this out:
http://www.belaart.com/PAINTINGS/slides/LILLY_FLOWER_acrylic_on_board_medium.html
that's acrylic
http://www.belaart.com/PAINTINGS/slides/MARYLIN_acrylic_on_board_medium.html
this one is acrylic, but of course not too much blending... still looks cool
http://www.belaart.com/PAINTINGS/slides/iris.html
this goofy thing was done in acrylics also... see how the flower blends from color to color?

this one no one believes is acrylic:
http://www.belaart.com/PAINTINGS/slides/SUBMISSION_oil_on_board_small.html

Of course, like I said before, oils are best for blending

Answer 3

get better paints if you cant get them to blend. I once bought really great acrylics that blended nicely, but then i ran out and bought cheap crappy ones that were too watery and didnt blend very well at all.

Answer 4

did you mean when you are painting with acrylic paints? if that's the case, you can try thin it out with mat medium to make it more watery.

Answer 5

use blending medium or retarding medium to allow paint to flow better and take longer to dry.