To make acrylic ink more opaque, mix it with an opaque medium or pigment instead of diluting it with water.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Use Opaque Pigments: The most straightforward way to increase opacity is by adding opaque pigments to your acrylic ink. Titanium White is a very common and effective choice. Other opaque pigments may exist depending on the color you are trying to achieve.
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Mix with Opaque Mediums: Instead of water, use an acrylic medium designed to increase opacity. These mediums often contain additives like chalk or marble dust, which make the ink less transparent. Matte mediums can also contribute to a more opaque look, as they reduce the sheen of the ink.
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Reduce Water Dilution: Water reduces the pigment concentration, leading to greater transparency. Minimize water usage if you need to maintain or increase opacity. Use a thinner acrylic medium instead of water if you need to thin the ink.
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Layering Techniques: While not a direct method for increasing opacity of a single layer of ink, layering can build up coverage and create a more opaque effect overall. Applying multiple thin layers of ink allows each layer to dry properly and prevents potential issues like cracking or beading.
In summary, to achieve greater opacity with acrylic ink, focus on increasing the pigment concentration and reducing transparency through the addition of opaque pigments or mediums, while also minimizing water dilution.
