What ratio of medium to paint should I use for glazing?

A common starting ratio is 1 part paint to 4 parts glazing medium. This gives a transparent, luminous layer. For very transparent glazes, go up to 1:6. Use a gloss medium for maximum clarity. Liquitex Glazing Medium, Winsor & Newton Galeria Glaze Medium and Golden Glazing Liquid are all excellent choices available in UK art shops.

How much medium do I add for impasto painting?

For impasto, add heavy gel medium at roughly 1 part gel to 2 parts paint (ratio 0.5). This extends the paint volume while maintaining body and texture. Heavy body gels from Golden, Liquitex or Daler-Rowney System 3 work well. You can also use modelling paste for even thicker textures.

What is the best pouring medium ratio?

For acrylic pouring, use 1 part paint to 2-3 parts pouring medium. The mix should flow like warm honey. Liquitex Pouring Medium is popular but Floetrol (a paint conditioner from DIY shops) is a budget-friendly alternative widely used by UK pour artists.

Do I need to add water as well as medium?

With acrylics, adding a small amount of water (5-10% of the total mix) improves flow without weakening the paint film. Never add more than 30% water to acrylics as it breaks down the binder. With oils, use solvent (turps or Zest-It) instead of water. Medium alone is usually sufficient for most techniques.

ArtCalcs

Paint-Medium Ratio Calculator — Glazing, Impasto & Pouring

Calculate medium-to-paint ratios for glazing, impasto, pouring and other painting techniques.

TechniquePre-sets the recommended ratio

Paint TypeAffects medium recommendations

Paint Volume

Amount of paint you want to mix

Number of Coats

How many coats you plan to apply

How We Calculate This

Calculates the volume of medium to add to your paint based on the selected technique and desired ratio.

Formulas

Medium volume = Paint volume x Ratio
Water volume = (Paint + Medium) x Water percentage
Total mix = Paint + Medium + Water
Per-coat volume = Total mix / Number of coats

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: March 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.