GOLDEN Gels & Molding Pastes

Overview

GOLDEN Gels & Molding Pastes are tools that can be manipulated by artists to achieve a great variety of effects and expressions. Even though acrylic colors are offered in various different consistencies and finishes, the use of gels and molding pastes in conjunction with such colors will broaden the working properties and expand on the possible results.

Gels can be thought of as colorless paints, as they are composed of similar polymers as are the acrylic paints. They may be considered the "glue" or binder that dry to form continuous, durable films. They are made of 100% acrylic polymers which have proven to have excellent flexibility and chemical, water and ultraviolet radiation resistance.

Pastes contain Marble Dust or Diatomatious Earth, clays or other fillers resulting in a white or clay-tone finish. Different pastes have been formulated to contain specific properties. See each description for further information.

Why are there so many gels and molding pastes? Over the years, artists have continuously requested new gel or pastes that behave and/or handle differently than what currently existed. GOLDEN has always listened carefully to the customers. Through working directly with the professional artists, GOLDEN has been able to formulate the desired products.

Admittedly, such a large number of different gels/pastes can seem staggering and can confuse artists. However, with at least a general understanding of the various products available, and an inclination to experiment, an artist can create new ways in which to express themselves, and probably apply materials in ways GOLDEN has not thought about.

What Gels & Pastes Do

While GOLDEN offers a wide selection of gels and pastes, that is not to say that each one has limited uses. Because of their very nature, most gels andpastes can function in a variety of ways, yielding numerous results. The section that follows lists the most traditional use of such products, but by no means is it intended to be an all encompassing and exhaustive list. There are numerous ways in which these products can be successfully applied.

One of the primary roles of gels and pastes is to extend the product for economical reasons. One can actually create "student grade" paint by adding a gel or pastes into the existing paints. For this purpose, there are basically no limitations as to minimum or maximum levels of gels or pastes that can be safely (from an archival viewpoint) added into the paint system.

For purposes of controlling transparency of paints, adding gels and/or mediums offers a useful tool. Nearly all gels and paste are effective for this purpose, with the exception of those that are opaque (the Pumices and Molding Pastes). The Gloss Gels are most effective, especially when highly transparent glazes are desired, and the glazes are to be applied thickly (greater than 1/8 inch wet film thickness). The Matte and Semi-Gloss products will increase the translucency of the paint, but will not yield genuinely transparent glazes. This is the result of the matting agents in such products, detracting from the overall transparency. One additional point to make is that the milky acrylic emulsion eventually dries translucent, and this must be kept in mind when determining the amount of color to add to gels and pastes.

When the desired outcome is to extend the paint without increasing transparency, then the addition of Molding Paste is beneficial. Since pastes are made of various solids they will increase the opacity of the paint. While there are some products available that are marketed specifically to increase opacity of paints, GOLDEN Molding Pastes work well for this purpose. It must be understood that the addition of such products will result in a color shift to a lower chroma (and possibly lighter value) color.

Another frequent use of the gels and pastes is to alter the consistency or body of the acrylic paints (for further discussion of consistency, see section below on Differentiation of Gels/Mediums). When one needs GOLDEN Heavy Body or Matte Acrylics to be thinner or flow better, the addition of nearly any one of the Mediums or the Soft Gels will prove helpful. When additional body is required in the Heavy Body and/or Matte Acrylics, the Heavy Gels, Extra-Heavy Gels or High Solid Gels may be added. The gels and pastes can be used with any other acrylic paint line, such as GOLDEN Fluid Acrylics, for similar purposes.

The gels are offered in a variety of reflectances, including Matte, Semi-Gloss, and Gloss. This allows the artist freedom in creating the desired sheen in the artwork, by blending the appropriate gel with the paints. The typical higher gloss of GOLDEN Heavy Body or Fluid Acrylics can be reduced by adding any of the matte gels or pastes. Similarly, to increase to gloss of GOLDEN Matte or High Load Acrylics, the addition of a gloss gel or medium will prove effective. More subtle modifications can be created using the semi-gloss products, or a combination of a matte and gloss gel or medium.

A common use of the thicker gels or pastes is to build relief, or 3-dimensionality, onto the support. For this, GOLDEN Heavy Gels, Extra-Heavy Gels, High Solid Gels and Molding Pastes are valuable tools. The Light Molding Paste hold the highest peaks and structure, and is also the best choice when building very thick applications (because of less weight buildup). GOLDEN Pumice Gels are suitable when generating granular or pebbled surfaces (either 3-dimensional or flat).

The majority of gels and mediums are nearly pure binder, they can be utilized to increase the dry film integrity of weakened systems. When an excessive amount of dry pigment or extender has been added into a paint (typically observed as cracking or chalky quality in the dry paint film), the addition of a gel or medium can correct the problem. Another weakened paint system is a paint/water blend, in which there is more water than paint. If such a mixture is to be applied on non-absorbent supports (i.e. in non-stain applications), then a gel or medium should be added so that no more than half of the entire mixture is water. Note that Gloss products work best for these sort of requirements.

When making one's own paint from dry pigment, the various Gloss, Semi-Gloss and Matte gels or mediums serve well as the binder that forms a continuous film, encasing the pigment. The Gloss products have the greatest binding capabilities, while that of the Matte and Semi-Gloss products is somewhat reduced (the result of already containing the matting agents responsible for the lower sheen).

Another frequent use of such products is as a glue for collaging materials together. This technique is valuable when collaging any materials to which the water-based acrylics have no difficulty bonding. Certain materials, such as glass and certain metals and plastics, should be avoided. Because of their greater binding capabilities, the Gloss products are the preferred choices for gluing collaging materials; however the other sheens function at satisfactory levels. Generally, Soft Gel Gloss is recommended for collaging.

Another application of the gels and pastes is to prime and prepare various supports. This is beneficial whenever one wants a translucent primer in place of an opaque gesso, to allow the nature of the support to show through. For this purpose, the most commonly used products are the Matte Medium and GAC-100. The thicker gels can be used, but one must be careful in application to avoid holdout (the lack of adequate bonding between gel and support). Use of sufficient pressure during application, to force the gel into the tooth of the support, can overcome this problem.
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Differentiation Between Gels & Mediums

With so many products of which to be aware, it does become quite a task to keep them all straight. However, there are a few general distinctions that once remembered make the whole group of gels and mediums seem much less difficult to understand.

The main property that differentiates a majority of products is viscosity - that is, how thick or thin a product is. This is what actually separates the gels from the mediums. The mediums are the thinner products, while the gels are thicker, having higher viscosities. The mediums are thin enough to be pourable, while the gels are not.

Within the gel grouping, the names reflect the scale of viscosity, and not any differences in feel of dry films. Soft Gels are thinner than Regular Gels, which are thinner than Heavy Gels, which in turn are thinner than Extra-Heavy Gels. Heavy Gels do not weigh more, and Soft Gels do not feel spongier or more flexible when dry.

The second key property is reflectance or sheen. This is the most important difference between Polymer Medium Gloss and Matte Medium. In the gels, nearly all are available in Gloss, Semi-Gloss and Matte finishes. Hence, a Heavy Gel Gloss and Heavy Gel Matte will feel very similar in consistency, but will dry with different sheens. The Semi-Gloss gels dry to yield a similar appearance as wax, and this aspect has been used extensively to create wax-like impressions. Then there are the specialty products that do not fit into the above differentiations. These products have a unique property requiring a different naming convention. In such cases, GOLDEN has tried to assign a name that has significance to the products most unique feature. For instance: High Solid Gels have higher levels of polymer solids than the other gels (approximately 60%, versus 45-50%); Light Molding Paste allows for thick film build without being correspondingly heavy in weight; Pumice Gels are composed of pumice (volcanic lava) and are ideal for creating rough, granular surfaces; etc.
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Using Gels & Pastes

As noted from the extensive list of uses above, there are not a lot of limitations or restrictions on the use of gels and pastes. Mix any quantity of Gel with GOLDEN Acrylic colors, or other Gels and/or Mediums. To thin, add water or a thinner GOLDEN Medium(s). When adding water to a gel, add in small portions with thorough and careful stirring at each addition of water. For slower drying, add GOLDEN Retarder, but do not exceed 15%, as it will result in a surface that will not lose its tack. Do not mix with oils. Paint on any non-oily surface. Abrade non-absorbent surfaces for increased adhesion. Minimum film formation temperature is 49°F/9°C. Avoid freezing. Cleans readily with soap and water.

Be aware that nearly all acrylics have a propensity to foam and get air trapped within them. This can be most dramatic when applying glazes and various translucent effects. Therefore, it is important to take proper precautions and to handle the materials carefully. This includes: avoid shaking, do not whip or stir excessively, refrain from generating a vortex during mechanical mixing and pour and handle slowly and carefully.

Drying times are influenced by many factors. The most important factors are the thickness of application and the temperature, humidity and air flow conditions in the working area. While acrylics surface dry, or skin over very quickly (sometimes within minutes), they typically take much longer, sometimes months, to thoroughly dry. Obviously, the thicker the film, the slower it is to dry. The development of clarity in the film does not occur until the gel or medium is fairly dry. A 1/4 inch thick film of a Gloss Gel will take a week or two, even in ideal conditions (70-80°F, relative humidity of 50% or less, and a moderate flow of air in drying area) to develop clarity. When humidity pushes over 80%, thesame Gloss Gel may remain cloudy for several months.

Common supports (e.g. cotton canvas, linen, masonite) contain water-extractable materials that can cause discoloration in transparent glazes. This manifests itself as a yellow or brown tone, and is especially of concern when the glazes are thickly applied greater than 1/16 inch wet film thickness). To minimize Support Induced Discoloration (SID), seal the support with GOLDEN GAC 100 or GAC 700, followed by gesso.

Note: multiple coats of gesso alone will not be sufficient to protect from SID.

One final point to make about the use of gels is that all of these products are NOT recommended as final picture varnishes. Generally speaking, these products do not have to proper balance of properties for such application. They are all either too soft, too hard, wrong consistency, or they simply foam up too much to be a clear topcoat. A final property that all lack is that of removability. None of the gels are truly removable, and this is an important consideration for purposes of being the final varnish.

Conclusion
While the world of gels and pastes may be vast and appears to be difficult to understand, a little knowledge and experimentation can open a whole new world of opportunities. There are certainly a few dos and don'ts, but there is still a great degree of freedom in the use of each member of this grouping, with each being able to used in a broad range of applications and techniques. It is important to remember that the applications we as manufacturers have suggested for these products are simple starting points. Through each artist's unique vision, the gels and pastes will continue o be utilized in new and exciting ways, to create effects we would have never imagined possible.

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Product Descriptions

GOLDEN Gels

Self-Leveling Clear Gel:
Designed to produce an even film with excellent clarity. The gel has a unique resinous, stringy consistency resulting from the leveling property. This product dries to a flexible, high gloss film, which can increase the transparency and sheen, while imparting a leveling quality to other GOLDEN Acrylic products. Blends with GOLDEN Acrylic colors to produce glazes.

Silkscreen Fabric Gel:
Blends with the GOLDEN Acrylic Paint lines to produce a silk-screen ink for heat-settable textile applications.

Soft Gel (Gloss, Matte and Semi-Gloss):
Thinner than GOLDEN Heavy Body Acrylic colors, Soft Gels are moderately pourable. Holds only slight peaks. The recommended acrylic to function as a glue for collaging. Soft Gel Gloss is ideal for glazing and other techniques where transparency is desired. Useful as a non-removable isolation coat, applied over the painting and before the varnish (must be thinned with water - 2 parts Soft Gel Gloss to 1 parts water).

Regular Gel (Gloss, Matte and Semi-Gloss):
Same creamy consistency as GOLDEN Heavy Body Acrylic colors. Ideal for extending paint and regulating translucency without changing the consistency of the Heavy Body and Matte colors. Holds moderate peaks and texture. The Regular Gel Gloss is ideal for glazing and other techniques where transparency is desired.

Heavy Gel (Gloss, Matte and Semi-Gloss):
Thicker consistency than GOLDEN Heavy Body Acrylic colors. Blend with colors to increase body. Good for holding peaks. Dries translucent.

Extra Heavy Gel (Gloss, Matte and Semi-Gloss):
Thicker consistency than GOLDEN Heavy Body Acrylic colors. The thickest of GOLDEN gels, along with the High Solid Gels. Blend with colors to increase body. Excellent for holding peaks and impasto techniques. Dries translucent.

High Solid Gel (Gloss):
Thicker consistency than GOLDEN Heavy Body Acrylic colors, while being similar to Extra-Heavy Gels. Offers higher gloss, lower shrinkage and dries to the touch quicker than most Gels. High Solid Gels are good for holding peaks. Blends with colors to make them feel more oil-like and increases retention of brushstrokes.

High Solid Gel (Matte):
Thicker consistency than GOLDEN Heavy Body Acrylic colors, while being similar to Extra-Heavy Gels. Dries to a matte finish. Offers lower shrinkage and dries to touch quicker than most Gels. Good for holding peaks. Good for holding peaks. Blends with colors to make them feel more oil-like and increases retention of brushstrokes.

Clear Tar Gel:
Designed to yield a pully, tar-like feel, but in a colorless gel. This gel has an extremely resinous and stringy consistency, which makes it feel very different than other acrylics. Useful for generating fine detailed lines by "dripping" it over surfaces, as it continuously flows from palette knives or other tools. Blends with all GOLDEN Acrylic colors (though Fluids work best) to offer a full range of colors with which to work.

Garnet Gels:
Garnet Gels are produced with a 100% acrylic polymer binder and Almadine Garnet, a mined material. They offer a range of granular textures similar to Pumice Gels, but with a natural reddish-brown hue. Garnet Gels dry to a hard, semi-opaque film with very good flexibility. Then mix well with GOLDEN Acrylic Colors for textural effects with color of can be used naturally for unusual rounds. Garnet Gels are avaliable in three textures: Fine, Coarse and Extra Coarse.

Fine Pumice Gel:
Used to create fine textured surfaces. Dries to a hard film. To increase its flexibility, mix in other GOLDEN Gels or mediums. Blends with GOLDEN Acrylic colors. Useful as a ground for pastels.

Coarse Pumice Gel:
Used to create granular textured surfaces. Dries to a hard film. To increase its flexibility, mix in other GOLDEN Gels or Mediums. Blends with GOLDEN Acrylic colors. Useful as a ground for pastels.

Extra Coarse Pumice Gel:
Used to create granular textured surfaces. Dries to a hard film. To increase its flexibility, mix in other GOLDEN Gels or Mediums. Blends with GOLDEN Acrylic colors.

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GOLDEN Molding Pastes

Molding Paste:
Excellent for building surfaces and creating textures. Dries to a hard, yet flexible, opaque film. Blends with GOLDEN Acrylic colors.

Light Molding Paste:
Offers dramatic weight reductions when building thick layers of acrylic. The density of the wet product is over 50% less than GOLDEN Molding Paste. This results in a significantly lighter film. This dramatic weight reduction will be beneficial in creating artworks that are large in size, have thick film build-up, or both. The product dries to an opaque, matte finish. The consistency is designed to hold stiff peaks to create a highly textured surface. Blends with GOLDEN Acrylic colors.

Extra Heavy Gel/Molding Paste:
A blend of Extra Heavy Gel Gloss and Molding Paste. Dries to a satin, semi-opaque finish. Excellent for increasing viscosity and building surfaces. Blends with GOLDEN Acrylic colors.

Hard Molding Paste:
Dries to a extremely hard, opaque film. This product is useful for creating tough, durable finishes for smooth or textured surfaces. The dried film can be carved with hand or power tools. Blends with GOLDEN Acrylic colors.

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