How to Use Gel Mediums
- 1). Add gel medium to your acrylic paint in order to extend the time it will take for the paint to dry. Acrylic paint dries fast, which is not always a good feature. For example, when you are painting slowly. you might want the paint to remain wet for a longer period of time than usual. By adding gel medium to your paint, you extend the life of the liquid paint without sacrificing any of the brightness of the color.
- 2). Create a magazine page transfer with gel medium. Apply gel medium all over the picture that you wish to transfer. Place it face-down on the water color paper and using the back of a spoon, smooth away any air pockets and wrinkles. Let it rest for about 20 minutes, then lift up a corner of the magazine picture to see if the image has transferred to the paper. If it has, carefully peel the paper away. Excess gel medium and any excess magazine paper can be removed with a damp cloth rag. The image will have transferred to the paper. Let it dry and you can use the page for a collage, paint around the image, or use it in many other creative ways.
- 3). Seal your artwork with gel medium. It will dry absolutely clear and you can safely apply it over paintings, collages and other work. Gel medium is a plastic, so anything that is protected in this way can be cleaned with a damp cloth rag or sponge.
- 4). Use gel medium for decoupage. Not only does it work as a strong adhesive as well as a sealant, but it dries clear. Cut out the picture you wish to decoupage and using a paintbrush, cover both sides of the image with gel medium. Stick it to the surface you are working on and remove all air pockets. You can use your finger or the back of a spoon. Let the image dry, and then apply a surface coat of gel medium to keep it safe. If you use matte medium, you will never be able to see that the medium is there, but your work will be protected.