Gloss Acrylic Medium

How about the late night crowd? Maybe it's a dumb question but I was making far too many "happy mistakes" with it and figure I have to be doing something wrong. Any advice you can offer about making paint flow properly is greatly appreciated. I feel like I'm fighting it WAY too much. I probably should have just opted for the more expensive paints...

Joe, good quality paints/mediums do make a difference!
Plenty of locals will chime in soon.....keep trying!

There's a lot to learn, and plenty of info on the Net....while they are sleeping!

4.00. Pm, Tues...Australia! It's still early,lol!

The more expensive paints are always a better value in the long run. I don't know why the gloss medium is acting that way, unless it is old and it's starting to congeal. It should act the same as the matte varnish. Your idea to use the matte and then go over it with the gloss is a good one. Another thing you can do is mix the two together to create a semigloss finish. That happens to be my favorite way to use the varnishes.

I've never had a gloss medium act like that (however I've always only used the "good stuff" ) so all I can suggest is it's going off?

Thank you everyone. I think Darice may be right about the congealing. The seal was broken when I received the bottle so I imagine the consistency isn't what it's supposed to be. I'm glad to know it's the product and not just me. Now you've got me wanting to run and buy all the quality stuff...

On my art school website I have a list of 10 things for students to know. http://www.art-e-studio.net/10-things-for-students-to-know.html

This on is #3 "Buy quality materials. You will achieve better results. It’s tough enough to get a good result when you are learning to paint without giving yourself a further handicap by using inferior paints, brushes and supports. Buying cheap is often a false economy and is likely to set you up for frustration and disappointment."

Keep working at it Joe and enjoy the process. Good luck :-)

Maybe you are mixing it well enough? Is it liquid gloss? Or thick?

Every medium makes paint perform differently. I don't use gloss for fine details. Unless it's liquid gloss.

I second that I have never had gloss medium act like that. But I would add you will have trouble doing fine details using medium as a base as it wants to be seen through. It is great for a glaze because of its transparency, also a binding medium for things like sand. Another problem with a lot of gloss on any work is photographing without glare.

^^^ True. Gloss is hard to photograph.

Angelina, it's thick like gel but is not supposed to be gel. You've got me curious about the liquid stuff...

Kevin, so are you saying you just use the straight pigment for details?

I generally don't like distracting reflections on my art but thought I'd give this a try seeing as it's a technique people use and like. I can't decide if I should continue with the inferior products I already own or just give them to the kids and upgrade.

This painting stuff is pretty cool but pencil work is a lot more convenient!!!