OPEN ACRYLIC COLOURS More time to think More time to mix More time to blend More time to paint!

OPEN Acrylics is a new line of colors for professional artists designed with a unique set of working properties that represent a true departure from all other acrylics on the market and that dramatically expand the range of techniques that are available to artists.

OPEN Acrylic Colors are formulated with an optimum balance of pigment load and 100% acrylic polymer dispersion to produce a paint with a uniquely relaxed set of working characteristics and a versatility that allows artists to explore a wider range of techniques such as portraiture and landscape painting that rely on softening, shading, glazing, and creating fine detail.

OPEN Acrylics remain wet on the palette for prolonged periods without skinning over and can be blended with most GOLDEN Acrylics, Mediums and Gels, with the open time of the resulting mixtures being proportionately reduced. To maintain the maximum working time of OPEN Acrylics, use OPEN Gel, Medium and Thinner.

PRODUCT APPLICATION

OPEN Acrylics lend themselves to both layering and blending in some ways that are reminiscent of oils. Thin applications of OPEN Acrylics can be blended for extended periods, allowing one to develop smooth transitions and to manipulate edges. They can be thinned with either water or OPEN Thinner. When used in conjunction with OPEN Thinner, which is formulated to replenish volatile components and maintain the long working time, OPEN Acrylics can be kept wet and blendable for many hours and even days. OPEN Gel or Medium can also be added at any ratio to help maintain the working time while modifying transparency, sheen, or viscosity.

Over time, thin applications will pass through several stages where the paint will begin to slowly setup and its tack increases. During this time, which can last for many hours, subsequent applications of any OPEN products or water can continue to reopen layers and allow one to continue blending and developing complex passages and fine details.

OPEN Acrylic Colors are best used in thin layers. Applications of more than 2mm will result in:

• Excessively long drying periods
• Persistently soft, higher tack feel
• Translucent layers that remain cloudy
For thick applications, regular GOLDEN Acrylic Colors and Mediums are strongly recommended.

OPEN Gel and Medium can be thinned and extended with OPEN Thinner, water, or faster drying GOLDEN Mediums. For most painting techniques the following guidelines are recommended:

• OPEN Thinner will reduce the viscosity while still preserving the optimal working time. Since OPEN Thinner contains no binders, limit additions to a maximum 3:1 ratio of 3 parts OPEN Gel or Medium to 1 part OPEN Thinner to maintain film integrity.

• OPEN Medium is useful when a more fluid application is desired while maintaining the working properties and extended open time. Can be added in any ratio.

• Water will very rapidly reduce the viscosity but will not preserve the extended open time. To maintain film integrity limit additions to a maximum 2:1 ratio of 2 parts OPEN Gel or Medium to 1 part water.

• Faster drying GOLDEN Mediums can be added in any ratio to OPEN Gel and Medium to modify viscosity, but will lower the open time in proportion to the ratio.

For washes and stains on porous and absorbent grounds, one may exceed the above ratios, although the resulting paint films will become increasingly fragile and water sensitive. To later preserve these works, they will need to be properly framed and protected in ways similar to watercolors, or the surface will need to be consolidated with a layer of acrylic medium or an isolation coat prior to varnishing.