When I saw Liquitex had come out with a new line of bio-based acrylics, I knew I had to try them out. After learning how best to work with them, I was pleasantly surprised by their rich colours and viscosity.
Currently marketed as part of the ‘heavy-bodied’ acrylics, they almost require their own category- as there are unique properties to the paint. The rich consistency and slower drying time, for example, has me using the paints differently than I would other acrylics. I’ve also began acknowledging the bio-based label when citing the media on my artwork, as I would with Flashe or any other unique but similar medium.
Something I admit to struggling with when making my own inks and pigment is the time it takes and the miniscule amount at which I manage to make each time. I realised I’m just too impatient to realistically rely on my own chemistry, but that it is something I can always do on the periphery of my painting practice. The impulse in me is to generally grab whatever I have at hand when making a new work of art. So, at the very least, I need to stock my studio with medium that feels good to use and that I can work with sustainably; meaning for the long term but also in a way that is better for the environment.
The bio-based acrylics are a ‘happy medium’ (pun intended) in this sense. The formula is not 100% bio-based, rather about 50% according to their website. However, having had a go at ink and pigment making, I know how hard it can be to create something that is highly pigmented and lightfast. So this is a pretty good compromise- it is an acrylic medium that has moved away from petrolium-based components, in an effort to be more environmentally conscious while still upholding the integral character of ‘traditional’ paints. It’s not the perfect solution in trying to acheive a ‘sustainable’ practice, but it certianly helps push things in the right direction.
The pots are made from 100% recycled materials and are handy to repurpose for my homemade inks. The matte medium also mixed well with my powder pigments; so this is another alternative to using casein medium.
I was fortunate to then be offered the chance to paint a mural at the London Graphic Centre to help promote this new line of paints. This was a very serendipidous outcome that really helped me put the paints to test. I learned how to work with a slower drying time and was pleased that the paint stayed wet on my palettes for nearly the duration. The rich pigment spread well and was really satisfying to work with. Although I exclusively used the bio-based paints for this mural, I can also vouch that they are compatible with other acrylics and mediums.
