How To Make Acrylic Paint Matte DIY: A Quick, Easy Guide
- Matte finishes for acrylic paint can enhance your artwork, eliminating shine distractions and photographing better.
- You can achieve this matte effect with several DIY methods: using a Matte Medium, applying a Matte Varnish, spraying with a Matte Spray, or carefully sanding with 1000 Grit Sandpaper.
- Each method has its own pros, cons, and best surfaces for application. Mastering these techniques can not only transform your art but also save you money on specialized paints.
Why Acrylic Matte Finishes Appeal
Matte finishes are popular in the art world for good reasons. They provide a non-reflective surface that lets the colors and forms of your artwork stand out.
This lack of shine means your viewers won’t be distracted by any glare.
The texture of a matte finish is smooth and pleasing to the touch. Plus, because matte finishes absorb light, small mistakes in your painting aren’t as noticeable.
An added bonus is that matte finishes photograph well. Matte finishes don’t produce unwanted reflections, so your art will look great in photos.
This is useful for artists who want to share their work online or showcase pieces in a portfolio.
All these benefits make matte finishes a smart choice for many artworks. I figured this out when I was learning how to photograph art.
Best Methods For How To Make Acrylic Paint Matte DIY
Method 1: Matte Medium
| Pros | Cons | Best Surfaces |
|---|---|---|
| Creates a consistent, professional-looking matte finish | Dilutes color intensity; you might need multiple coats | Canvas, wood, and paper |
Matte Medium is an artist’s BFF. It dilutes the acrylic paint without changing its basic characteristics. Mixing your acrylics with a matte medium, will mute the gloss without losing the color depth. Remember to mix in a 1:1 ratio to maintain a balanced texture and color saturation.
Method 2: Matte Varnish
| Pros | Cons | Best Surfaces |
|---|---|---|
| Easy to apply, doesn’t dilute color | Might cause a white, cloudy finish if applied thickly | Canvas, wood, metal, and plastic |
Matte varnish, your next best mate! This goes on top of your painting after it dries, making it an excellent option if you decide to go matte midway. Apply thin layers, allowing each to dry before the next. A thick coat might cause cloudiness.
Method 3: Matte Spray
| Pros | Cons | Best Surfaces |
|---|---|---|
| Quick application, uniform coating | Less control over finish, potential toxicity if used without proper ventilation | Canvas, paper, metal, and plastic |
Matte Spray is like magic fairy dust; you just spray it on, and it seems to fix everything. Use it in a well-ventilated space, and make sure to apply even strokes. This method is ideal for larger pieces or for those who don’t like the hassle of brushes.
Method 4: Gently Sanding with 1000 Grit Sandpaper
| Pros | Cons | Best Surfaces |
|---|---|---|
| Inexpensive, easily available | Takes more time and effort, can damage the painting if not done carefully | Wood and canvas |
The 1000-grit sandpaper is a fine abrasive. This unique method involves gently sanding your dry acrylic painting to achieve a smooth, matte finish. It requires a soft touch and patience, but the results can be truly stunning.
This is key – using a cork or soft sanding block, wrap the sandpaper around it and apply gentle pressure to prevent any damage to your masterpiece. This method might not be best for highly detailed or delicate pieces, but for bolder, larger-scale works, it can work wonders.
Don’t forget to clean off any dust residue after sanding before you call your work complete. Optionally, I would also give it a light spray of acrylic matte varnish just to even things out as no matter how good your sanding technique is, you will always miss some spots.
And there you have it, yet another fantastic way to add the sought-after matte finish to your acrylic painting!
Let the texture of your creativity shine through every artwork.
How To Make Acrylic Paint Matte DIY – FAQ’s
Q1: Can I turn my glossy acrylic painting into a matte one?
Absolutely! Using a matte varnish or matte spray can easily change the finish of your already dried and glossy painting.
Q2: Is it safe to use a matte spray indoors?
Even though the matte spray is convenient, it can be toxic if inhaled. Use it in a well-ventilated area and consider wearing a mask for safety.
Q3: Does using a matte medium change the color of my paint?
While a matte medium might slightly dilute the intensity of your acrylics, it doesn’t change the hue. If you notice a significant change in color, consider adding more paint to your mix.
Joseph Colella (Joe Colella) is an Editor and Writer at WastedTalentInc. As a frustrated artist with over 40 years experience making art (who moonlights as a certified Business Analyst with over 20 years of experience in tech).
While Joseph holds a Diploma in Information Technology, in true wasted talent fashion he spent years applying for various Art degrees; from the Accademia di Belle Arti (Napoli), to failing to get into the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) at the University of Western Sydney.
While he jokes about his failures at gaining formal art qualifications, as a self-taught artist he has had a fruitful career in business, technology and the arts making Art his full time source of income from the age of 18 until 25.
His goal is to attend the Julian Ashton School of Art at The Rocks Sydney when he retires from full time work. Joseph’s art has been sold to private collectors all over the world from the USA, Europe and Australasia.
He is a trusted source for reliable art advice and tutorials to copyright/fair use advice and is committed to helping his readers make informed decisions about making them a better artist.