Matisse Artists Mediums

Derivan's range of Matisse painting mediums make the already flexible Matisse Structure and Flow Formulas even more versatile. See below for a summary of each product in the Matisse Mediums range. Or, click on the medium's name for detailed instructions and tips for that medium.

Our acrylic paint technology has achieved a much higher level of specialisation in the last decade, resulting in superior quality acrylic paints and mediums that have set the current standards.

Note: Oil-Based Antiquing Medium, Pre Antiquing Medium, and Water-Based Cracking Medium are all now part of the Derivan Mediums Range.

Download PDF version of the Matisse Technical Guide here (3.2Mb)

MM#	Name	Description
P MMEDK	Matisse Mediums Kit	Highly versitile professional Mediums Set containing five 75ml tubes.
MM1	Drying Retarder	Slows drying when added to Matisse paints.
MM2	Impasto Medium	Provides high build relief when allowed to dry and then painted over with Matisse colours, or when mixed directly with the paint.
MM3	Surface Tension Breaker	Thins paint so that less water is required, keeping colours stronger. Ideal for Airbrush or Watercolour techniques.
MM4	Gel Medium	Dries clear or mixes with Matisse colours to give a 3D high-gloss glaze.
MM5	Matt Medium	Add to Matisse Colours to achieve a matte sheen/finish.
MM6	Polymer Matt Varnish (water-based)	Use as a final varnish or can be mixed with Matisse Colours. Non-yellowing matt finish.
MM7	Polymer Gloss Varnish (water-based)	Use as a final varnish or can be mixed with Matisse Colours. Non-yellowing high gloss finish.
MM8	Spreader Medium	Add to Matisse Colours to achieve washes and glazes.
MM9	Acrylic Painting Medium	Use to increase binder content of Matisse Colours when reducing them with water.
MM10	Artist-quality Gesso	A full bodied permanent, flexible primer for use on canvas, paper, board or wood for paintings in acrylics or oils.
MM11	Satin Varnish (Polyurethane)	Water-based Polyurethane varnish with a non-yellowing hard wearing satin finish (for use on rigid surfaces only)
MM12	Clear Sealer	Use for sealing very porous surfaces such as terracotta or as a tannin blocker for "green" wood.
MM13	Fabric Fixative	Mix equal parts with Matisse Colours to produce a fabric paint which when heat set will adhere to most fabrics
MM14	Final Varnish Gloss Finish (turps-based)	Conservation quality solvent-based non-yellowing acrylic gloss finish varnish. Redissolves in turps to strip and clean or to rework.
MM15	Final Varnish Matt Finish (turps-based)	Conservation quality solvent-based non-yellowing acrylic matt finish varnish. Redissolves in turps to strip and clean or to rework.
MM16	Faux Finish & Marbling Gel	Also known as scumble glaze. Mix with Matisse Colours to slow drying time and extend the paint to achieve transparent glazes.
MM19	Poly-U-Gloss Varnish (Polyurethane)	Water-based polyurethane varnish with a non-yellowing hard wearing high gloss finish (for use on rigid surfaces only)
MM20	Water-Based Patina	Use in conjunction with Matisse Colours to give an antiqued or patinated effect
MM22	Print Paste	Mix with Matisse Colours to achieve brilliant transparent prints when screen printing. Slows drying time and extends colour
MM24	Iridescent Medium	Mix with Matisse Colours to achieve lively iridescent effects
MM25	Black Gesso	A full bodied permanent, flexible primer for use on canvas, paper, board or wood for paintings in acrylics or oils.
MM26	Transparent Gesso	A clear gesso which may be mixed with Matisse Background Colours to produce "coloured gessos" or "pastel primers"
MM27	Low-Viscosity Gesso	A low viscosity alternative gesso for artists who want to brush straight from the jar.
MM28	Polymer Satin Varnish	Use as a final varnish or can be mixed with Matisse Colours. Non-yellowing satin finish.
MM29	Final Varnish Satin Finish (turps-based)	Conservation-quality solvent-based non-yellowing acrylic satin finish varnish. Redissolves in turps to strip and clean or to rework.
MM30	Matt Gel Medium	All the valued qualities of Derivan's original Matisse Gel Medium, now in a matt finish.
MM31	Open Medium	Extends the "open" or "working" time of acrylics without affecting consistency. Allows a more relaxed approach desirable for blending, shading, and softening.
MM32	Light Modelling Paste	A modelling compound that has the same qualities as our regular impasto medium, but with a lighter body and finish, used to build relief and texture but without the constrains of weight.
MM33	UV Conservation Varnish (turps-based)	Non-yellowing acrylic resin varnish containing UV inhibitors. This is a removable varnish; will dissolve in turpentine.
MM34	Brush & Hand Cleaner	A gentle cleaner that can remove paint from both brushes and hands. Only natural ingredients, non toxic or polluting, biodegradable.
MM35	Brush Restorer	Powerful and plant based alternative cleaner that can remove dried, built up paint from brushes without harsh chemicals and dangerous fumes.
MM36	High Tooth Gesso (Encaustic)	Permanent, flexible water-based ground, with a high tooth finish, for canvas, board, wood panels or paper.
MM37	Self Leveling Medium	A clear product that when applied to a surface or as a paint additive will automatically spread and create a smooth, glossy finish with minimal surface texture.

Matisse Mediums Kit

Matisse Mediums are designed to work in conjucntion with the Matisse Flow and Structure Acrylic paints to create a highly versatile painting system. The mediums in the kit were specifically selected for maximum flexibility and usefulness to acrylic artists who will find endless new creative possibilities for their artwork.

Mediums Kit Contains:

MM2 Impasto Medium 75ml
A full-bodied texture paste and modelling compound.

MM3 Surface Tension Breaker 75ml
A dispersant that is used to break down the surface tension of acrylic paints. Also known as a 'watercolour medium' or 'flow medium'.

MM4 Gel Medium 75ml
A clear transparent colour extender allowing thick layering, drying to a gloss finish.

MM7 Polymer Gloss Varnish 75ml
Versatile water-based acrylic varnish, also used for glazing. Non-yellowing and dries completely clear.

MM31 Open Medium 75ml
Extends the 'open' or 'working' time of acrylics without affecting consistency, allowing softening, shading or blending techniques.