Has Anyone Here Tried Golden's New Line Of Slow Drying Acrylic Paint?

Question

I've seen it at my local art store. The new line by Golden is called 'Open.' I read the brochure. It's a new slower drying acrylic paint, giving it more work time, something like with oils.

I actually use acrylics because I like the fact that they dry so quickly. But every once in awhile, like when I'm doing portraits, it would be nice to slow down the drying process.

Anyway, has anyone tried the new slow drying acrylic paint yet? Does it work? Is it worth the price (Golden isn't cheap)?

Answer 1

Hi Watson,

Being in Australia, I am unfamiliar with that brand of paint.

However I do use Atelier Interactive Acrylics. They are slower drying and are formulated not to form a skin like the more traditional acrylics. So they do not dry on the surface but evenly all the way through.  This delays the drying time, and with a fine mist spray they can be kept wet and workable for some time.

If this is similar in formula to the one you are talking about, then I would recommend them, keeping in mind that any new formula will take a little time to adjust to and fully understand it's possibilities.

Now I use them exclusively and buy them in one liter jars. As artists we get used to a certain formula, and trying something new is a bit scary. It wouldn't hurt to get small tubes of black, white and the primaries and have a fiddle with them before committing to more financial outlay.  Lizzie  :o)

Answer 2

I haven't tried it yet but it should work. I use acrylic paint when I paint to but instead I use Golden Additives: Retarder.

When you add the retarder to your paint or your color mixture it slows down the drying process. It workes really good sometimes I add it to some of my old paint the ones that are not too dried out, just lumpy and it loosens up the paint so I can still use it.

Maybe you should try both products together if it's taking a little too long to finish your painting.

As for the cost issue usually art stores give you student discounts if you show i.d.. It's not that much just like taking off the tax cost but it's better than nothing. If you're not in school try using an old college or high school i.d. they don't really stare too hard at the picture.