Layer, smudge, blend and mix in your own individual style – intermixability allows you to combine any Liquitex Acrylics, Inks, Sprays, Markers and Mediums, any way you like. Liquitex products are made with compatible binders for maximum versatility and archival quality. This means you can go your own way and create your own techniques. And that’s what being an artist is all about.
What’s the big deal about intermixability? Surely all paints can be mixed together?
Compatibility is the key word; all parts of the formulation need to work together. This can be relatively easily done within similar types of acrylic paint, when the values are roughly the same, but when you’re crossing formats, consistencies and delivery systems, 100% compatibility is not easy to achieve.
So what’s the fuss about Liquitex intermixability? Surely other brands are intermixable too?
The difference is the width and scope of the Liquitex collection – they make a truly diverse range of acrylic formats and consistencies. Innovation is at the heart of Liquitex and they’re always looking to bring you new ways to work with acrylics. Imagine how easy it would be to make two fluid paints that work together. But then imagine the complexities of ensuring that an ink and a spray paint work together.
Each of their ranges delivers 100% intermixability across formulation chemistry – from the ultra-fluidity of Acrylic Inks to Spray Paints, Acrylic Markers, effects mediums and Basics colours.
What do you mean by intermixability?
It’s about guaranteeing that you a stable mix when you’re painting with any Liquitex acrylics, and achieving an archival result so that your work remains as you intended it for now and in the future under normal gallery conditions.
How do you make something intermixable?
When developing a new Liquitex formula, their chemists have intermixability at the core of everything they do – when thinking about consistency, delivery system, finish or colour. If it doesn’t work with all of their mediums or paints they won’t consider it.
Every element of the formula is chosen with extreme care, with an inherent knowledge of acrylic chemistry. Each of the raw materials – from wetting agent to pigment – will affect compatibility. The elements are chosen, mixed and tested at each stage in the lab, and combined with each of the other products in the range – both Professional and Basics – to ensure they don’t fight each other. Successful formulas have binder systems that are compatible but not necessarily the same.
What happens if I use acrylic paints from different sources?
The results can be unpredictable. Problems you might see include incompatibility of the acrylic emulsion or flocculation of the pigments. In non-scientific terms, this means your paint might not have the usual flexibility you’d expect from acrylics and it might stay tacky, even when dry. It also might not adhere to your supports like it should, so you may find your color flakes or peels over time. Also, different qualities of pigments used from other sources may mean that you have unpredictable or poor lightfastness, so the colour will change over time.
Using acrylic mediums can transform your artwork completely. Find out more in our other blogs.
How to Use Pouring Medium When Painting with Acrylics
Give Your Artwork A Boost With Acrylic Mediums
Take any paint or format from our Liquitex range – from Professional to Basics, markers to sprays, colour to mediums – and combine them any way you like. The difference is in the formulation. Try it yourself.
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