Matisse Drying Retarder No. 1 | MM1 | 250ml

Matisse Drying Retarder

may be used in watercoloring, water wash effects, stain painting and hard edge techniques where it assists in pigment wetting, rapid color diffusion and penetration. On raw canvas, the addition of 3-5% MM1 Drying Retarder, pre-diluted with water, will improve the mixing of inorganic pigments, oxides, earth colors, titanium dioxide and metallic pigments.
Matisse Drying Retarder will slow the evaporation of water from the paint. However, excess amounts of MM1 Drying Retarder (over 10%) will severely slow "cross linking" of the acrylic. Therefore, even though the paint may look dry (and indeed all the water will have gone from the paint), it will not have "cross linked" or "cured" so it is able to be re-wet, i.e. with a wet brush or cloth. This allows the Matisse acrylic colors to be used just like watercolors.
Further Technical Information

MM1 DRYING RETARDER
As the name suggests, this medium slows the drying time of acrylic paint. Only a small amount is needed, up to 5%. It does not change the colour or finish of the paint. The length of the extended drying time will be influenced by prevailing temperature and humidity. Adding over 8% MM1 Drying Retarder will compromise the waterfastness of the dried paint by slowing the cross linking of the acrylic. Therefore, although the paint may appear to be dry it can be re-wet with either a wet brush or cloth. MM1 Drying Retarder can also be used to achieve watercolour and water wash effects, or for stain paint-ing and hard-edge techniques. Refer to the Technical Guide section of the book for more information on using MM1 Drying Retarder for watercolour techniques. On raw canvas, the addition of 3-5% MM1 Drying Retarder, pre-diluted with water, will improve the mixing of inorganic pigments, oxides, earth colours, titanium dioxide and metallic pigments.