GOLDEN - Matte Medium (237ml)
Acrylic painting medium
Increases transparency and decreases gloss
Useful as a translucent ground
Can also be use as a decoupage glue or temporary varnish
Made in the USA
Golden Matte Medium is a viscous, pourable acrylic medium useful for extending colours, increasing translucency and decreasing gloss. It is also useful as a translucent ground. To lower the sheen of a paint colour or another medium, begin by adding Matte Medium in increments of about 10% of the total volume. It is helpful to brush out each mixture, and let dry on a piece of paper to note the difference in sheen. With some experimenting, it will become easier to know how much of the matte medium is required to achieve the desired gloss.
Matte Medium can be used as a translucent ground, sometimes referred to as a "clear" gesso. It is thin enough to penetrate canvas and other porous substrates easily, and the matting solids provide an adequate "tooth" for additional paint layers. In thin applications it can appear quite translucent, while darkening the canvas to a small degree. The darkening effect, similar to a "wet look", is somewhat more pronounced with Matte Medium.
Apply Matte Medium in much the same manner as recommended for the application of a gesso layer. Apply one or more coats, keeping in mind that additional layers will gradually make a more opaque overall film.
Please note: Applying a matte product over an absorbent surface may cause a "frosted" appearance. As the acrylic medium penetrates, the matting solids are left behind on the surface. Over highly absorbent dark passages, such as on top of canvas coated with Golden Black Gesso, severe whitening may occur. This can be corrected by applying a coat of Golden GAC 100 or Gloss Medium over the frosted area, which will once again encapsulate the matting solids, returning the transparent look. The frosting can be avoided by applying a coat of GAC 100 or Gloss Medium before a matte medium is applied. Liquid and low viscosity Matte Mediums should be gently stirred or shaken before use, as settling of matting solids can occur.
Use as a Decoupage Glue
Golden Matte Medium has been used successfully as a decoupage glue by many collage artists. The fact that it has a very low sheen makes it ideal, as it does not impart a "plastic" gloss to the work. If the whiteness of multiple coats does become troublesome, blend in Polymer Medium (Gloss) to decrease the matting solid level.
Multiple Layers of Matte Mediums
The application of several layers of a matte medium will become increasingly opaque and begin to lighten the colours underneath. Multiple layers can also impart a greyish cast due to the natural colour of the matting solids if built up to an extreme. If an artist is using a matte medium as a glazing base for multiple glazes, they should consider using Polymer Medium (Gloss) instead for the best clarity. After the artwork is completed, a matte varnish can be applied to give a flat finish to the work. This will result in better film clarity because there is only one layer of matting solids to look through.
Use as a Temporary Varnish
Golden does not recommend using any insoluble acrylic as a final varnish. Polymer Medium (Gloss) or Soft Gel (Gloss) thinned 2:1 with water works well to establish an even coat, or a temporary varnish. Instead of applying a matte medium over the piece, the artist can use a sheet of matte Mylar to apply it over to allow them to temporarily view it in the matte state, or create a test piece.
About Golden Mediums
Golden offer the widest range of mediums for acrylic painting. Their range includes gels, additives and effect pastes, which allows you to choose whatever qualities you desire for your acrylic painting: luminous glazes, gritty opaque structures, string effects, glassy areas or variable drying times. This expansive range gives rise to inspiring possibilities that allow you to do very unusual things. Whatever your needs, our Golden range has you covered.
