Liquitex Professional Slow-Dri Blending Medium 237ml — Fluid acrylic extender, increases open time & transparency

Liquitex Professional Slow-Dri Blending Medium (237 ml) is a fluid acrylic medium formulated to extend drying time up to 40% while increasing flow, transparency, and film flexibility for cleaner blends.

This fluid medium from Liquitex is designed for artists who want more open working time with acrylics without compromising durability. It thins Heavy Body colours, brings them closer in consistency to Soft Body paints, and dries clear to maintain colour intensity. Unlike simple retarders, this medium can be mixed in any proportion with Liquitex Professional colours and other compatible mediums to build volume, enhance gloss, and improve adhesion on canvas, wood, paper, and other accepted surfaces.

How does Slow-Dri Blending Medium help when I need longer blending time?

Slow-Dri Blending Medium slows the evaporation and polymerization of acrylic films, giving you up to 40% more working time to blend gradients and soft transitions. Because it’s a medium rather than a retarder, it won’t weaken the final paint film.

• Mix freely with Heavy Body or Soft Body Professional colours.
• Increases open time for wet-on-wet techniques and glazing.
• Dries clear and transparent to preserve pigment vibrancy.

Will this change the paint’s finish, strength, or adhesion?

The medium adds gloss and transparency while formulating a flexible, durable film that resists chipping and cracking. It contains acrylic resins to maintain adhesion across typical artist supports.

• Improves adhesion to canvas, paper, wood and primed surfaces.
• Dries water-resistant and non-yellowing.
• Conforms to ASTM D4236 and is suitable for classrooms and studios.

How should I mix and apply Liquitex Slow-Dri Blending Medium?

Blend any amount into Liquitex Professional colours—more medium increases flow, transparency and drying time. For spray or airbrush application, dilute one part medium with one part water and apply from an atomizer for an even fixative or sheen.

• Use with Heavy Body to thin and lengthen drying time; with Soft Body to extend volume and transparency.
• Apply on surfaces that accept acrylic media; build in layers once previous layers are dry to touch.
• Can be combined with other Liquitex mediums for custom textures and finishes.

What practical effects can I expect when painting with this medium?

Expect smoother blends, softer edges, and richer-looking glazes without cloudiness when dry. Because the medium dries transparent, underlying colours remain vivid and mixed passages retain visual depth.

• Reduces visible brushstrokes by promoting self-leveling.
• Enhances colour depth and gloss for finished pieces.
• Maintains flexibility so paintings handle framing and stretching without flaking.

Who is this for: Liquitex Slow-Dri Blending Medium is aimed at acrylic painters—students, professionals, and instructors—who need extended open time for blending, glazing, or airbrush work while keeping archival performance. It’s useful for fine-detail blending, alla prima techniques with acrylics, and anyone mixing heavy and soft body colours to achieve smoother flow and longer working time.