FAQs

• What finish does Liquitex Basics Acrylic Fluid have when dry?

  Liquitex Basics Acrylic Fluid dries to a satin finish – the same as Liquitex Basics Acrylic.

• Why would I use Liquitex Basics Acrylic Fluid product in addition to Liquitex Basics Acrylic?

  Liquitex Basics Acrylic Fluid offers artists a paint that is more fluid and flowing than Liquitex Basics Acrylic. This viscosity can be beneficial when covering large surfaces quickly is desired as the fluid nature allows it to cover without brush strokes. It is also ideal when painting with fine detail as it flows off the brush easily and when mixing with fluid mediums such as Pouring Medium.

• What’s the difference between Liquitex Basics Acrylic Fluid and Liquitex Professional Soft Body Acrylic?

  Liquitex Basics Acrylic Fluid is slightly more fluid than Soft Body. And it has a lower pigment load. All our paints use the same highest quality pigments and go through the same rigorous manufacturing process, but our Pro range has a higher concentration of pigment than Basics paints. This makes it great for artists on a budget or starting out.

• Can I add water to Liquitex Basics Acrylic Fluid?

  We don’t recommend it. This paint is 100% canvas-ready, so you don’t need to dilute to get a flowing consistency. Extra water will dilute the pigment load and stop it drying properly. If you want to thin it, use a medium like Liquitex Professional Airbrush Medium or try our Pro Acrylic Inks.

• What can I do with Liquitex Basics Acrylic Fluid?

  Lots. Painting. Pouring. Quick large area coverage. Fine detail. And everything in between.

• I’m new to the Liquitex Basics Acrylic Fluid range. Which colors should I start with?

  It’s personal choice but these are our starter five: Titanium White, Mars Black + the three single pigment primaries, Primary Yellow, Primary Red and Primary Blue. These give you the most options, the cleanest mixes possible and are perfect for color theory.

• Is Liquitex Basics Acrylic Fluid a watered-down version of Liquitex Basics Acrylic?

  No. Basics Acrylic Fluid is formulated in the lab as a stand-alone paint. It’s made with a more fluid binder system than Basics Acrylic – this gives the lower viscosity and flow. The two paints have compatible binders and contain the same pigment load. If we had simply watered Basics Acrylic down, the structure and performance would be lost. More water = lower pigment concentration and noticeably weaker colors. Paint feel and stability are also impacted. So if you want a thinner paint, opt for Acrylic Fluid.

• Can I use Liquitex Basics Acrylic Fluid with Liquitex Basics Acrylic?

  Yes. Both ranges are 100% compatible so you can combine in any way you like. You can also use Liquitex Basics Acrylic Fluid with any of our Basics or Pro mediums and paints.

• Liquitex Basics Acrylic Fluid consistency vs Liquitex Basics Acrylic – how does it compare?

  Liquitex Basics Acrylic is a medium viscosity paint (has more structure and retains some brush strokes/knife marks) while Liquitex Basics Acrylic Fluid is a lower viscosity paint (thinner, smooth flowing, no drag or brush strokes).

• Is Liquitex Basics Acrylic Fluid archival and lightfast?

  Yes. All colors are rated either Excellent or Very Good for lightfastness (except fluorescent and metallic colors which are naturally less lightfast and are not rated). The advanced acrylic formula is highly flexible, durable, non-yellowing and UV-resistant. Your work will have the greatest archival permanence possible, withstanding color shifting or fading, to stay vibrant and true.

• My Liquitex Basics Acrylic Fluid color appears to be separating – is that normal?

  Yes! There’s nothing to worry about. Fluid acrylics do separate in the bottle - some colors more than others. Just give it a good shake before use.

• Will you switch Liquitex Basics Acrylic Canvas to recycled fabric?

  Due to the higher cost of recycled materials, Liquitex Recycled Canvas is only in our Professional category at the moment. We’d love to bring it to our Liquitex Basics range if the price comes down in the future. 

• Why are you working with Waste2Wear?

  Liquitex is based on innovation and we’re passionate about bringing artists new materials. We are doing what we can to ensure there’s a world that’s full of possibilities for future generations of artists to thrive. For our latest canvas project, we wanted to do something different. A collaboration with Waste2Wear - specialists in turning waste plastics into textiles - was logical. They create the recycled cloth from plastic bottles and then we have it primed and readied for artists.  

• Where can I learn more about how the bottles are recycled into fabric?

  Our partner Waste2Wear has information on their website here: https://www.waste2wear.com/

• What is Waste2Wear?

  An innovative organization pioneering solutions for plastic recycling, using blockchain technology to deliver 100% traceable and sustainable textiles.

• What is the responsible disposal guidance for the packaging?

  The cardboard packaging label is made from 100% recycled content and is fully recyclable. The shrink-wrap is also made of 100% recycled content and is fully recyclable. Recyclable guidelines will be different for each local authority and should be checked for both the cardboard packaging label and shrink-wrap.

• Is the cardboard label in the corner Liquitex Recycled Canvas made using sustainable materials?

  Yes. The cardboard is made from 100% recycled content and is fully recyclable.

• Why is each Liquitex Recycled Canvas shrink-wrapped?

  To keep it clean and protected when shipping and storing. The shrink-wrap is made of 100% recycled content and is fully recyclable.

• What’s the weight difference between the raw canvas roll and the stretched primed canvas?

  The raw canvas roll is 13.6oz/385g/m². The stretched canvases have a primed weight of 20oz/565g/m².

• What’s the depth difference between the traditional depth and deep edge depth?

  The traditional depth is 0.75in/1.91cm depth. The deep edge depth is 1.37in/3.48cm depth.