Best Paint Mediums & Additives of 2026

"I've used Liquitex for years and can always count on its consistent quality and bright, bold colors. The bottles seem huge, and I never finish them, but the paint stays good for ages. Great for beginners and reliable for many projects. My only minor regret is getting such a big size, but it's a solid investment."

"I picked up this medium to get a true matte finish on my acrylics for illustration work, and it really delivers. It mixes well, extends drying time slightly, and a little goes a long way. The finish is flat like gouache, though it can lighten colors if you use too much. When I want a dead-flat surface for scanning or photos, this is my go-to."

"As someone who uses this for model railroads and surface sealing rather than painting, I love how it thins acrylics, dries ultra matte, and keeps the paint workable longer. It does lighten the color when thinned heavily, which sometimes is exactly what I need. Much better than using IPA or water for my purposes."

"I was thrilled to find this product because the pump and pour system makes it incredibly convenient to use. It’s been a game changer for my acrylic pour paintings!"

"This medium works just as well as the one I previously bought at Michaels, but for a fraction of the price. I'm really satisfied with the value it offers!"

"It’s fantastic for thinning acrylics and achieving smooth brush strokes, though I wouldn’t recommend it for glazing since it’s a bit wet for that. For pouring, though, it’s perfect."

"I've been experimenting with different modeling pastes, and this one truly stands out for its light, airy texture and fast drying time. I love how you can actually see the paint separate from the paste as it dries, which is perfect for achieving a chippy paint effect. Cleanup is simple with just soap and water, and I often recommend this to my students and viewers. It's my go-to for adding dimension and texture to various projects."

"As someone who crafts regularly, I find this modeling paste to be a must-have. It works beautifully for rubber stamping with Gelatos, goes on smoothly, and dries quick. The generous container size means it'll last me quite a while, making it a great value for the price."

"For my stenciled snowflake art, this modeling paste was a great choice—especially as a first-time user. The light, fluffy consistency was easy to work with, and it washed off my tools without any trouble. I'm happy with the results and will definitely order again for future projects."

"I was looking for something to stop my alcohol markers from bleeding through coloring book pages, and this product worked perfectly—no bleed-through at all. It’s simple to use, dries quickly, and gives the desired result. I did notice some slight paper curling, but placing a weight on it overnight helped. Overall, I’m happy and will keep it on hand."

"After years of searching for an acrylic medium that would mimic the buttery feel of oil paints—but without the chemical sensitivity triggers—I finally found this. It transforms Golden acrylics into oil-like paints with all the safety of acrylics. For me, as someone with extreme chemical sensitivities, this is a game-changer and the best medium I’ve tried. Thank you, Golden, for such high-quality products!"

"As someone new to painting, I followed a YouTube artist’s recommendation to try Golden Acrylic Satin Glazing Liquid. I’m really impressed—it’s not too glossy and goes a long way. I used it for glazing effects on fur and was pleased with the smooth color transitions. Happy with my results for a first attempt."

"I love how smoothly this covers my canvas, and it only takes about twenty minutes to dry before I can start painting. Wet-on-wet painting is much easier now."

"Using this before my Paint by Number projects has totally improved the blending and made it easier to cover the canvas. No more clumping, and it dries fast—my finished pieces look so much better."

"Just one coat made a huge difference—the canvas is no longer rough, and I can finally get clean lines. Since it’s clear, the numbers don’t disappear. Game changer for Paint by Number!"

"I've recently started using this flow aid for my paint by numbers projects, and it's been an absolute game changer! My paints used to be way too thick or even dried out, and water just didn't do the trick. With just a few drops, my paints become smooth, creamy, and easy to apply, giving my work a much more professional look. I honestly wish I'd tried it sooner!"

"Mixing this medium with my acrylic paints has made painting on fabric so much easier. I love that it requires no heat setting, and the process is straightforward—just equal parts with the paint. I let my project dry overnight and the results have been consistently satisfying."

"When I tried this flow aid, I was amazed at how it made my paints glide effortlessly and blend smoothly, leaving a polished finish. Colors became more vibrant and my brush strokes practically disappeared. I did notice that some colors turned out a bit more transparent than I expected, so it's worth testing first. Still, it's a valuable tool for enhancing acrylic painting."

"I absolutely love how this medium makes my paintings shine and brings out brighter colors. The glossy finish is just what I was hoping for and it really elevates my artwork."

"For acrylic pouring, this is hands-down the best product I’ve ever used. A small amount transformed my paintings, creating fantastic cells and a smooth, consistent flow. It’s a great value, and I’ll keep coming back for more!"

"While I enjoyed the smoothness and ease of use, I didn’t get as many cells as I wanted. I might need to experiment more with the amount I use, but overall it’s still worth another try."

"As a beginner, I found this acrylic modeling paste incredibly easy and enjoyable to use. The quality and affordability stood out to me, and it was simple to achieve the thickness and texture I wanted for my project. I let it dry overnight, and the results were excellent."

"This paste was perfect for adding 3D texture to my artwork. It dried to a stable, opaque white finish and blended seamlessly with my acrylics. The texture held beautifully, bringing my painting to life. I’ll definitely be using it for future projects!"

"I love how smooth and thick this modeling paste is—it’s great for creating texture and thickening paint. A little goes a long way, and it dries quickly. I’m happy I discovered this product!"

"As a painter, I found the Liquitex Professional Gesso created a perfect foundation for my 14x14 canvas. The gesso went on smooth and creamy, providing strong coverage and a matte white finish. My acrylics looked vivid and adhered flawlessly, and I appreciated the archival quality for long-term preservation. The only small issue is that it doesn’t fully cover pencil marks underneath, but it’s a great investment for artists seeking a dependable primer."

"I really appreciate the large bottle size, which let me prime multiple canvases at a great value. The gesso applied smoothly and cleanly, sticking perfectly to the surface and offering durable coverage. I’m very satisfied with the quality and would recommend it for anyone needing to prepare canvases for painting."

"I use this gesso for priming plywood panels for oil painting and found it easy to apply and sand for a super smooth surface. It’s a bit thick, so I thin it with water, but it’s odorless, water-based, and cleans up easily. Works great overall!"

"I love how this product delays the drying time of my acrylics, allowing for much smoother blends and easier manipulation on canvas. It’s also very affordable and offers excellent coverage."

"This medium is an absolute game changer for airbrushing! Adding 10% by volume to thinned acrylic paint with my 0.3mm airbrush nozzle at 20-25 psi virtually eliminated tip dry—it just works amazingly well."

"Be careful when opening because it can leak or spill easily. I recommend using a long needle to poke through the lid for better control. Besides that, the product is super effective and simple to use."