Derivan Acrylic and Derivan Students grade acrylic paints offer a thick consistency suitable for impasto, oil painting and brush stroke techniques but their high tintorial strength allows for ready dilution with water or mediums giving the painter free expression by selective use of these mediums. One such medium is "Spreader Medium" and the purpose of this medium is to spread large volumes of transparent colour over selected areas while maintaining a controlled paint viscosity. Acrylic colour can be added in small or large increments to the Spreader Medium. Spreader Medium is a transparent flowing paste. It dries fairly "flat" and when dry can hardly be discerned on a painted or unpainted area, i.e. it leaves almost no stain. Its main application is for glazing where it imparts fine flow and controlled spreadability and lubrication to the paint. Used on its own, the medium does not dry waterproof and can therefore be used as an intermediary between two partially dried paint films if some water sensitivity for wash areas is desired. Applied over a dried paint film, it gives a wet effect but will recede to an almost invisible film when dry. As Spreader Medium dries relatively slow when applied over a well-primed or heavily painted area, it increases workability within the paint. Soft colour hues and delicate tone on tone can be obtained by using Spreader Medium. Spreader Medium can be used to pre-dilute Derivan acrylic colours to infinity thereby increasing transparency (this may also increase water sensitivity). Polymer Gloss Varnish is the natural intermixer with the spreader to increase water resistance. Pre-addition of 1 part Polymer Gloss Varnish to 4 parts Spreader Medium is sufficient to impart water resistance to the medium.
