Glazing Liquid Verses Liquid Matte Medium and Which Works on the Vinyl as a Primer?

I was asked this morning by another artist to explain the difference in artist grade Glazing Liquids and Fluid Matte Mediums in conjunction with reborn doll painting with acrylics.   I have used the 2 brands of Golden and Liquitex alternately based on availability.   I hope this information is helpful.

Liquid Glazing medium will make acrylic paint more transparent and does not reduce the natural sheen of the paints.  In fact, it can produce more sheen.  It can be used for subtle glazing techniques and does contain binders that increase the adhsion properties of the paint it is mixed with. It is not to be used as a ground for painting. It tends to produce a more glossy finish that does not grab the next layer of paint as well as you want for a primer. Glazing Medium does produce a flexible finish but I have found if you use too much of it or use it in all your layers you may find that paint washes that are thinned with more water may not stick well to the glazing liquid layers. However, it works well to mix in your flesh layers because it makes them stick and keeps them from looking chalky. The trick is to apply your next layer with the fluid matte medium in it to cover the sheen and aid the next layer in sticking better.   The other alternative is to apply a very thin layer of plain fluid matte medium over it to make it flat again for further painting.

Matte medium is used to reduce the reflective natural sheen of paints for a non-reflective finish. It also contains binders for the paint that it is mixed with. The Liquid Matte Mediums (Both Golden and Liquitex brands) say they can be used as a transparent ground. This is because they produce a more flat finish that has a very slight tooth that will grab paint well, they seal off the surface for painting and produce a thin flexible finish. When I wrote to Liquitex and asked for their recommendation for a primer to use on vinyl, I was told by them that the Liquid Matte Medium would be the best one to use.

Gel medium such as Liquitex Ultra Matte Gel is a white, paste-like gel that will thicken your paint and if you use it full strength your paint mix retains brushstrokes. Gel medium also has binders that enhances the adhesive properties of the paint. The Ultra Matte Gel is the most matte product on the market that I am aware of and works really well to cut sheen.

On a side note: They also make a regular Liquitex matte Gel that I have not tried but it is not as matte as the Ultra Matte Gel and I would guess might be better to use in your paint mix for painting hair if you want visible brush strokes. Because the Gel products are so rich in binders, they say they can be used for collage techniques and some reborn artists have found them to be great for sealing rooted hair. It does dry to a flexible finish that holds the hair down well. I have tried sealing hair with the Liquitex Ultra Matte Gel myself and it works.