Working on Owen Frances kit with more matted version of RebornFX products

Here is Owen Frances - Now Frances, in progress using the primaries method to start. My baby is painted with RebornFX paints in their newer version that are more matted. So far she only has 2 layers red, yellow ochre & blue mottled on her, blue veins and a layer of Pink Flesh skin tone (a RebornFX color I really like a lot). Obviously she is lacking depth right now as creases will come next. Once I have done that I will apply some warming color, maybe another blending color and a final blushing on palms/soles, cheeks etc.

I had to apply a layer of matting fluid after this to reduce sheen.  I can tell the new products are more matte but I think the fact that she started out with so much sheen from the primer I had used on her it was an uphill battle all the way.  I am of the notion that if you start out with a shiny base, the RebornFX paints have a hard time overcoming it.

Today I also primed a Levi kit using the RebornFX 2 in 1 sealer as a primer.  I will be curious to see if the Levi does better about not taking on sheen while being painted.  He is not nearly as shiny being primed with the 2 in 1 sealer nor does he feel tacky.

For the paint layers on Frances,  I mixed the new more matted formula RebornFX paints with the more matted Emulsion and RebornFX Diluent I had left from my initial paints set.  No water this time other than dampening the sponges.  I kept a damp sponge on hand to blot any excess color deposit.  I did not even use any Open Time in the mixes until the Pink Flesh layer.   I have to say for that layer I forgot and just grabbled my JO Sonjas Retarder and added it to the mix quickly because it was drying a bit pasty looking for me  and it worked fine after I added that.  The Retarder seems to help the flesh tone not to dry pasty looking and gives more working time so I could pounce it out more.  Open Time would probably have worked as well but I forgot I had gotten in some newer version of that too.

Anyways, here is baby so far

Adrie Stoete Suu Kyi Asian In Progress for IDTS

This baby is painted with BabyFX for skin tones and creases color but I used RebornFX for the soles/palms and blushing. I tried mixing the ready to use RebornFX paint with a little Liquitex Ultra Matte Gel and distilled water. That seemed to work very well and cut the sheen for me. I also have used some Jo Sonjas Slow dry with them and that worked also.

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.