Elena Rossi
Gel medium is a type of binder commonly used in painting and mixed-media projects. It comes in a variety of consistencies, from thin and watery to thick and gooey. It is milky when wet and clear when dry, making it perfect for layering. It can be used as an adhesive, for image transfers, texture creation, and painting. It can be mixed with acrylic paint to extend the paint and create a more transparent effect. It can also be used as a glazing medium to create a glossy, glass-like finish. When using gel mediums, it is important to remember that they dry quickly, so it is best to work in small sections. Additionally, it is important to clean tools immediately after use to prevent the gel medium from drying on them. When painting on top of dry gel medium, it is recommended to use acrylic paint as watercolors will not stick.
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What You'll Learn
Yes, you can paint on top of dry gel medium
One way to use gel medium in your artwork is as an adhesive. You can use it to glue paper or other elements to your surface. For example, you can spread a thin layer of gel medium on dry paper with a brush or a glue spreader, place your paper, and then use a clean credit card to smooth out any creases and remove air bubbles. You can also use gel medium as a resist by placing a stencil on your surface and spreading it over with a gel medium. This will create interesting textures and designs in your artwork.
Another way to use gel medium is as a painting medium. You can mix it with acrylic paint to extend the paint and create a more transparent effect. You can also use it as a glazing medium to add a glossy, glass-like finish to your artwork. When using gel medium as a painting medium, it's important to work in small sections as it dries quickly. You should also clean your tools, such as brushes and palette knives, immediately after use to prevent the gel medium from drying on them.
Gel mediums can also be used for image transfers and creating texture. For example, you can apply a thick layer of gel medium to your surface and then sprinkle on your chosen material, such as salt or sand, to create a textured effect. Once the gel medium is dry, you can paint over it with acrylic paint or other mediums. You can also try stamping or debossing into semi-wet gel medium to create unique textures and designs.
It's important to note that gel mediums dry clear, not white, so this should be considered when planning your artwork. Additionally, when using gel mediums, it's a good idea to keep the paintings flat for several days before propping them up or storing them in an upright position. This allows the gel medium to dry properly and prevents any cracking or damage to your artwork.
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Use gel medium as an adhesive
Gel mediums are commonly used as adhesives in art and craft projects. They are especially useful for collage work and mixed media art, where they can be used to glue paper or magazine paper to a surface. For instance, "Golden – Soft Gel Gloss" can be used to seal pictures and attach them to a surface. This involves painting both sides of the image with the medium, attaching the image to the desired surface, and then covering it with another layer of the medium.
Soft gel mediums are often used as adhesives by paper and mixed media artists because they allow for the manipulation and placement of collage materials. Its smooth consistency and flexibility make it ideal for this purpose, as it does not cause the paper to curl as much as other adhesives. It is also suitable for use with porous surfaces such as paper, similar to white glue.
Gel mediums are advantageous as adhesives because they are archival and less likely to crack, disintegrate, or change colour over time. They dry flexible and are non-yellowing, making them a preferred choice over other types of glue. Additionally, gel mediums can be used for heat mounting fabrics to windows and sealing surfaces.
When using gel mediums as adhesives, it is important to consider the weight of the object being adhered. Heavy items may cause the gel medium to peel away from the mounting board or the object itself. To address this issue, it is recommended to poke holes in the mat board and ensure that the gel medium goes down into the holes and spreads to the back of the object.
While gel mediums are effective adhesives, some artists may opt for cheaper alternatives such as PVA adhesive or glue for projects where longevity is not a concern.
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Use gel medium for image transfers
Gel mediums are a versatile tool for artists, with applications in image transfers, glazing, varnishing, and collage. They can be used to transfer images from magazines, newspapers, photocopies, inkjet or laser prints, and postcards.
Firstly, prepare your work surface by covering it with a 4 mil plastic sheet. Then, decide on the image you want to transfer and tape it down if desired. If you are transferring onto a water-resistant surface, you may need to apply a primer or undercoat first. Next, apply a thin layer of gel medium over the image using a brush or by pouring it on. If pouring, use a minimum layer of 1/32 to 1/16 of an inch. If brushing, alternate the brush direction to ensure an even application.
Once the first layer of gel medium is dry, apply a second coat, again ensuring even coverage. Then, place your image face down onto the wet medium and leave it to dry thoroughly. When it is completely dry, dampen the paper with a wet sponge and let the water soak in for a few minutes. Use a nylon scouring pad or soft cloth to gently rub away the paper, leaving the image intact. You may need to dampen the paper a few times to achieve a clean transfer.
After you have removed the paper, scrub away any remaining paper fibres and rinse the image in fresh water. The gel will usually appear milky at this stage but will clear as it dries. Once dry, you can use the transferred image however you like. You can apply varnish to protect the surface, or paint on top of the image with acrylic, alkyd, or oil paints.
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Use gel medium to create texture
Gel mediums are a versatile tool for artists and crafters, with a variety of applications and uses. One of their primary functions is to create texture in paintings.
To create texture, artists can use gel mediums of varying thicknesses, from soft and watery to heavy and gooey. Heavy gel mediums, for instance, can be used to create stiff peaks and build texture. Extra Heavy Gels offer even more texture-building capabilities. Tar gel, for instance, is applied as a drip or blob and left to settle on the canvas, creating interesting shapes and textures.
Gel mediums can also be mixed with other materials to create unique textures. Artists can sprinkle sand, sawdust, or beads onto a thick layer of gel medium to create a tactile surface. This method can be used to adhere coarse materials like salt to a canvas for added texture.
Another technique is to use a rubber stamp or bubble wrap to create a debossed effect in semi-dry gel medium, resulting in an interesting texture once dry.
Additionally, gel mediums can be mixed with paint to increase transparency and create a glaze, adding texture and luminosity to the artwork.
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Gel mediums dry quickly
Gel mediums can dry quickly, depending on several factors. The thickness of the application is a key determinant of the drying rate. Thinner films of gel mediums dry faster than thicker applications. For instance, 10 mil films of gels and heavy body acrylics can become touch-dry in a matter of minutes, whereas thicker layers can take much longer, sometimes even months, to thoroughly dry. A 1/4 inch thick film of gloss gel, for example, can take a week or two to dry, even under ideal conditions.
The temperature, humidity, and airflow conditions in the working area also influence the drying time. Higher temperatures, lower humidity, and good airflow promote faster drying. When humidity is above 80%, gloss gel mediums may remain cloudy for several months. Matte gel mediums may also cure irreversibly cloudy or foggy. Additionally, the substrate on which the gel medium is applied can affect drying time. Gel mediums dry faster on breathable substrates like canvas compared to non-absorbent surfaces.
The type of gel medium and its viscosity also play a role in the drying rate. Regular gel mediums dry slower than soft gels, which are thinner and have lower viscosities. Slower-drying mediums are less prone to crazing than faster-drying ones. The use of additives like Retarder can also slow down the drying process, but they may result in a tacky surface for extended periods.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can paint on top of dry gel medium. You can use gel medium as an adhesive in mixed media art, and once it's dry, you can paint over it with acrylic paint or other mediums.
Acrylic paint is the best option for painting over gel medium. Watercolors will not stick to the gel medium.
Thin paint films take about 3 days to reach a solid state, so it's best to wait at least this long before doing anything extreme to your painting, such as varnishing. However, you can continue to apply paint or mediums before this time.
You can hold the painting up to a light so that the light reflects off the surface at various times during the drying process. When the light reflects off the finished work, put it out of sight for a day or two. When you bring it back into the light, you will notice a difference in the appearance of the painting.
