Over the years that I have had the privilege of working with the Jo Sonja’ s Acrylic paints many people have often asked me about whether you can mix these gorgeous paints and mediums with other makes.
Sometime ago I wrote an article about just this question and recently I tried to find the article, but it has long since disappeared. So here goes, I am going to try to address the question again.
The Jo Sonja’ s Acrylic painting system is a complete system from preparation to finish. If you use the whole system as described in any of the literature and online, you will have a guaranteed finish that will last far more than a lifetime. The paints and mediums are tested and proven to be fully archival and carry the highest light fast rating. This statement has been proved by placing items in the deserts of Australia, where they have been left outside in stupidly hot and sunny conditions for years.
In order to be assured of this longevity you do need to use the whole system from start to finish.
So, now I go back to the question‘ what happens if I mix different makes of paint and mediums?’ To answer this, I am going to start by explaining how Acrylic paint is manufactured. The following article has been copied directly from Wikipedia and gives the definition of Acrylic paint:
‘ Acrylic paint is a fast-drying paint made of pigment suspended in acrylic polymer emulsion. Acrylic paints are water-soluble, but become waterresistant when dry. Depending on how much the paint is diluted with water, or modified with acrylic gels, mediums, or pastes, the finished acrylic painting can resemble a watercolour or an oil painting, or have its own unique characteristics not attainable with other media.[ 1 ] Acrylic paint is typically used for crafting, or in art classes in schools because it does not require any chemicals, and rinses away with just water.. It also is less likely to leave a stain on clothes than oil paint.’
The two important parts in the Wikipedia explanation are the words‘ Acrylic Polymer Emulsion’ and‘ Pigment’.