I started doing PBNs about 2 months ago now with my family. We've done almost 10 total, half are Artist's Loft and the other half are Amazon bought. I've never been a big paint person and usually I'm good with layering the paints as they are, but this video has given me a big boost. I've always wondered why other people's PBNs are so opaque and crisp and I think I've found the secret out for myself! Your demonstration with the paint with no flow aid, some diluted, and some nondiluted was a great sell for me. I'm sure this will definitely help with future projects, thanks!
I’m a big believer in having the right tools for the job. They don’t have to cost a fortune, and you don’t have to have them all at once, but those little extras make the biggest difference! They also help me enjoy what I’m doing sooo much more too. I hope you’ll find that they do the same for you. ☺️
I’ve been doing PBN’s for over a decade. Mostly exclusive Dimensions Paintworks. Done dozens of paintings. And this is the first time I’ve ever heard of flo-aid. Thanks to you just ordered some from Amazon. Much thanks!!
Melanie, I have been using Flow Aid, the pipettes, the clear gesso, the stir sticks, and those black brushes. All the things you've recommended, and man o man what a huge difference! My favorite little black brush is that #3. So thanks again for all your videos and your product recommendations!
About the "granular" problems...There may be other causes, but here's something I've found helps some. I live in a warm, dry climate, so paint dries more quickly here. With AC on and fans blowing, I even lightly close the lid of the pot while I paint. When starting a painting session, I use a tool or toothpick to remove any dried paint around the edges and try to get most of it off.
I've been using a wet palette (bought from amazon for less than $10 but you can make your own very easy). I use a plastic toothpick (.75 cents for those at family dollar in the US) to scoop out a tiny bit of paint, roll it around on the palette until most of it is off the toothpick and paint a certain number until I use up the paint I put on the palette...and because I'm eat up with ADHD, I get bored easy so I usually work with 2 or 3 colors in a session. That wet palette changed my life and I have not run out of any paints yet doing this . I don't paint directly out of the pots until I'm near the end of the painting and getting those "stray numbers".
I’m beginning to think all I needed was Flo-Aid & clear gesso. Have the thinner but can & will change color, used water like big acrylic painters (😱) using that thinner & “supposed” to mist every 15 minutes (😂😂) so now will only try Flo-Aid or diluted but very carefully & ty for actually showing paint consistency!!
My husband is the Paint Department manager in a Lowe’s, and I always forget to have him bring me home Floetrol! I’ve been meaning to buy some for YEARS, and goodness knows it’s way more affordable. I just bought two bottles of Flow-Aid for myself for Christmas 😂, and I could’ve gotten a jug of Floetrol for the same price probably, tested it for a video, and had enough for the next 7 years if I had been thinking clearly. 🥴😜
I have it in a little plastic bottle with a narrow nozzle so I can control how much goes in and I just put 2 or 3 drops into each colour and stir it through. I don't really measure it or anything. Hope this helps.
Hi Melanie, I'm going to use flow aid for the first time following your videos. I was wondering, should I dilute the flow aid with water, or is it enough to add a few drops to the paint pot and mix? Greetings from İstanbul.❤
I used to use straight Flow Aid, but I do find that the diluted mixture works as well and helps my FA last longer. You may not need to use as much either. I suggest trying both with whatever paint you’re using to see which one you like best for the consistency. Different viscosity paints work better with the straight FA than with the diluted FA.
I do respectfully disagree with your recommendation of flow aid. First, I Love your videos and have learned a great deal from them, including the use of flow aid. I also love Schipper paints and the almost soupy flavor of their paints. So on most any project(not Schipper) I try and use flow aid to create similar soupy-ness as with Schipper, which means I now use approximately 6-10 undiluted drops most of the time. And it works wonderfully. Paint does not water down but goes on incredibly smoothly. My only point is, you can not use too much flow aid. I love the stuff. Thanks for all you help with these videos.
I use Flow Aid straight most of the time, but some people cringe to know that…but I do use it diluted too and find there are times when it works both ways. I play with it back and forth, and I think it is a fabulous product! I just add what I want straight and diluted and no long pay any attention to which is which sometimes or how many drops of what I’m putting in as long as I get the consistency I want. 😂 When I advise others, I have to be careful what I share now, because I don’t want to be responsible for their projects 😬.
Hey Melanie, I have a question 🙋🏼♀️ I bought what I would say good brushes Got them today and the 4.0 has a hair sticking out on the side He doesn’t have a lot of hairs to speak if he’s synthetic and I Got the brush cleaner you recommended and I cleaned it with that tonight and even used the Facial wipes trying to get that hair to SIT DOWN!! No Go!! What else can I do? Like I said he don’t have a lot of hair!! HAHA 😂 FYI It’s a DAKO Set
That was most helpful. I was having trouble with TechCrafty paints being transparent so I bought the set of 60 Arteza acrylic paints to substitute for some that are so poor. What I don’t understand is how does the paint number of the Arteza paint coordinate with the paint of the paint by number or do I have to match it the best I can by sight? And when I use the Arteza paint do I squeeze the tubed paint into a paint pot while I use it?
Great video and explanation Melanie! Why do you use a pipette with the flow aid bottle and don't just add drops directly from the little spout on the bottle?
I just started and Flow Aid is indeed a life saver! Thank you for the tips. I have a question, do you stir all the paints before starting, or do it one by one pot?
Have you used the iridescent medium of liquitex? Will it dilute the paint? Will it make the paint flow without compromising the color? Im thinking if it's better to take flow aid or just the iridescent medium since i was thinking i like the pear-like sheen but does not want it to be transparent
The iridescent medium doesn’t give the paint the finish you want when you mix it. Just recently a member on the Facebook group said she mixed it in and it totally changed her colors. She wasn’t happy. It doesn’t help with flow at all. Mediums are different than additives, and adding too much can make big changes to the outcome. I have a video on Paint Additives that I did before I did this one, because I wanted to show what a few different things did to the paint. I prefer to leave the paint alone (with the exception of Flow-Aid) and add something over the top when I’m done if I want sheen or shimmer. Also, consider adding a tiny bit of mica powder to a little bit of your paint if you want to get a sheen or shimmer or pearlescent look. Those can thicken up the paint, but with FA, you can keep them thin enough to work with and still get cool effects. I haven’t done a video bc there are so many topics to cover, but I’ve had a set for a year I haven’t had a chance to demo yet.
I wish! Schipper is a German paint by number company that has the most phenomenal paints! They are low viscosity…which just means they’re very fluid, but they also provide beautiful coverage, even with the colors that are typically transparent. {I asked them to collaborate with me a few years ago and let me make a set of paints, but they haven’t taken me up on my offer…for now, they only offer their paints in a kit. 😕}
Melanie, this video helped me understand why a couple of my colors have become ‘grainy’ as I have been using straight flow aid. Is there a way to remedy this if I have made this mistake?
I can onIy suggest it may be because certain colors have more pigment or binders than others, and straight FA may be adding to that causing the little granular pieces. I’ve only noticed it a few times in random companies paints, but I’ve noticed it too. I used straight FA forever, and it didn’t seem to matter whether it was straight or diluted, I’d still get those little grains. I’m going to say it is the paint more than the additive, but too much straight FA can make it worse.
I already have artist loft slow dry gel medium. Can I use that in place of flow aid? I have already been painting with acrylics. I am starting this new journey with a friend of mine. Love your videos.
No, a slow dry medium is more of a paint extender that keeps the paint from drying while you paint and allows you to blend. Flow-aid improves its consistency for movement on the canvas.
Send me the link for your channel so I can critique your videos. You are the only person who has had a negative comment in 3 years…says a lot about you. ☺️ You’re welcome for the free information I provided.
![เป็นไปได้ไหม - WanMai [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_6lZ6b3_7Vo/mqdefault.jpg)
I started doing PBNs about 2 months ago now with my family. We've done almost 10 total, half are Artist's Loft and the other half are Amazon bought. I've never been a big paint person and usually I'm good with layering the paints as they are, but this video has given me a big boost. I've always wondered why other people's PBNs are so opaque and crisp and I think I've found the secret out for myself! Your demonstration with the paint with no flow aid, some diluted, and some nondiluted was a great sell for me. I'm sure this will definitely help with future projects, thanks!
I’m a big believer in having the right tools for the job. They don’t have to cost a fortune, and you don’t have to have them all at once, but those little extras make the biggest difference! They also help me enjoy what I’m doing sooo much more too. I hope you’ll find that they do the same for you. ☺️
I’ve been doing PBN’s for over a decade. Mostly exclusive Dimensions Paintworks. Done dozens of paintings. And this is the first time I’ve ever heard of flo-aid.
Thanks to you just ordered some from Amazon. Much thanks!!
Melanie, I have been using Flow Aid, the pipettes, the clear gesso, the stir sticks, and those black brushes. All the things you've recommended, and man o man what a huge difference! My favorite little black brush is that #3. So thanks again for all your videos and your product recommendations!
Those brushes changed my life!! I’m so happy to hear that you love them too 🥰.
Finally found a shop in finland that sells gesso and flow aid. Now i just have wait for my paintings to come 😊
About the "granular" problems...There may be other causes, but here's something I've found helps some. I live in a warm, dry climate, so paint dries more quickly here. With AC on and fans blowing, I even lightly close the lid of the pot while I paint. When starting a painting session, I use a tool or toothpick to remove any dried paint around the edges and try to get most of it off.
I've been using a wet palette (bought from amazon for less than $10 but you can make your own very easy). I use a plastic toothpick (.75 cents for those at family dollar in the US) to scoop out a tiny bit of paint, roll it around on the palette until most of it is off the toothpick and paint a certain number until I use up the paint I put on the palette...and because I'm eat up with ADHD, I get bored easy so I usually work with 2 or 3 colors in a session. That wet palette changed my life and I have not run out of any paints yet doing this . I don't paint directly out of the pots until I'm near the end of the painting and getting those "stray numbers".
That video was super helpful. I should have know this from the beginning. Thx
Thanks Melanie, I have learnt so much from you.
Thank you for watching! 🥰
I’m beginning to think all I needed was Flo-Aid & clear gesso.
Have the thinner but can & will change color, used water like big acrylic painters (😱) using that thinner & “supposed” to mist every 15 minutes (😂😂) so now will only try Flo-Aid or diluted but very carefully & ty for actually showing paint consistency!!
I use Floetrol and it works fine. Plus, it comes in 1litre bottles, so it lasts ages.
My husband is the Paint Department manager in a Lowe’s, and I always forget to have him bring me home Floetrol! I’ve been meaning to buy some for YEARS, and goodness knows it’s way more affordable. I just bought two bottles of Flow-Aid for myself for Christmas 😂, and I could’ve gotten a jug of Floetrol for the same price probably, tested it for a video, and had enough for the next 7 years if I had been thinking clearly. 🥴😜
If I may ask, what's your method of mixing with floetrol? Thank you!
I have it in a little plastic bottle with a narrow nozzle so I can control how much goes in and I just put 2 or 3 drops into each colour and stir it through. I don't really measure it or anything. Hope this helps.
@@rhyanonstuddert7384 Thank you so much!
@@rhyanonstuddert7384thanks!!
Hi Melanie, I'm going to use flow aid for the first time following your videos. I was wondering, should I dilute the flow aid with water, or is it enough to add a few drops to the paint pot and mix? Greetings from İstanbul.❤
I used to use straight Flow Aid, but I do find that the diluted mixture works as well and helps my FA last longer. You may not need to use as much either.
I suggest trying both with whatever paint you’re using to see which one you like best for the consistency. Different viscosity paints work better with the straight FA than with the diluted FA.
I do respectfully disagree with your recommendation of flow aid. First, I Love your videos and have learned a great deal from them, including the use of flow aid. I also love Schipper paints and the almost soupy flavor of their paints. So on most any project(not Schipper) I try and use flow aid to create similar soupy-ness as with Schipper, which means I now use approximately 6-10 undiluted drops most of the time. And it works wonderfully. Paint does not water down but goes on incredibly smoothly. My only point is, you can not use too much flow aid. I love the stuff. Thanks for all you help with these videos.
I use Flow Aid straight most of the time, but some people cringe to know that…but I do use it diluted too and find there are times when it works both ways. I play with it back and forth, and I think it is a fabulous product! I just add what I want straight and diluted and no long pay any attention to which is which sometimes or how many drops of what I’m putting in as long as I get the consistency I want. 😂 When I advise others, I have to be careful what I share now, because I don’t want to be responsible for their projects 😬.
This helped a lot thanks for clarifying that!!
Wonderful! Thank you for letting me know! 🥰
Hey Melanie, I have a question 🙋🏼♀️ I bought what I would say good brushes Got them today and the 4.0 has a hair sticking out on the side He doesn’t have a lot of hairs to speak if he’s synthetic and I Got the brush cleaner you recommended and I cleaned it with that tonight and even used the Facial wipes trying to get that hair to SIT DOWN!! No Go!! What else can I do? Like I said he don’t have a lot of hair!! HAHA 😂 FYI It’s a DAKO Set
@@MelanieBsCreativeStudio Forgot to hit the reply button my question 🙋🏼♀️ is above Thanks 😊
Great video! 👍🏼
Thank you for watching! 🥰
Thank you very much xx
Thank you for watching! 🥰
That was most helpful. I was having trouble with TechCrafty paints being transparent so I bought the set of 60 Arteza acrylic paints to substitute for some that are so poor. What I don’t understand is how does the paint number of the Arteza paint coordinate with the paint of the paint by number or do I have to match it the best I can by sight? And when I use the Arteza paint do I squeeze the tubed paint into a paint pot while I use it?
I have two videos that may 🤞🏻explain it best. th-cam.com/video/n8OuJCeN4Jw/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/INVwY35SlY0/w-d-xo.html
@@MelanieBsCreativeStudio Oh, my gosh. The two videos you suggested were so helpful for blending paint. Thank you
Yay!! That’s what I love to hear! 🥰
Great video and explanation Melanie! Why do you use a pipette with the flow aid bottle and don't just add drops directly from the little spout on the bottle?
It ends up dripping down the side, and I get it everywhere. I end up with more than I need, and I can control it so much better with the dropper.
I thought you were gonna test the undiluted flow aid in the hot pink paint? But you went back to the purple
You're right, I was going to test it out! I changed my mind because I thought it would be easier to see the differences in the colors with the purple.
g
G
G
G
Great product--purchased from AMAZON!
Can i use slow drying blending medium?
It’s totally different than FA. Here is a comparison video that may help demonstrate how that works...th-cam.com/video/TuLuT1GtSmE/w-d-xo.html
I just started and Flow Aid is indeed a life saver! Thank you for the tips. I have a question, do you stir all the paints before starting, or do it one by one pot?
Have you used the iridescent medium of liquitex? Will it dilute the paint? Will it make the paint flow without compromising the color? Im thinking if it's better to take flow aid or just the iridescent medium since i was thinking i like the pear-like sheen but does not want it to be transparent
The iridescent medium doesn’t give the paint the finish you want when you mix it. Just recently a member on the Facebook group said she mixed it in and it totally changed her colors. She wasn’t happy. It doesn’t help with flow at all. Mediums are different than additives, and adding too much can make big changes to the outcome. I have a video on Paint Additives that I did before I did this one, because I wanted to show what a few different things did to the paint. I prefer to leave the paint alone (with the exception of Flow-Aid) and add something over the top when I’m done if I want sheen or shimmer.
Also, consider adding a tiny bit of mica powder to a little bit of your paint if you want to get a sheen or shimmer or pearlescent look. Those can thicken up the paint, but with FA, you can keep them thin enough to work with and still get cool effects. I haven’t done a video bc there are so many topics to cover, but I’ve had a set for a year I haven’t had a chance to demo yet.
@@MelanieBsCreativeStudio thank you!
What are "SHIPPER" colors? It is something what you can order without painting?
I wish! Schipper is a German paint by number company that has the most phenomenal paints! They are low viscosity…which just means they’re very fluid, but they also provide beautiful coverage, even with the colors that are typically transparent.
{I asked them to collaborate with me a few years ago and let me make a set of paints, but they haven’t taken me up on my offer…for now, they only offer their paints in a kit. 😕}
Melanie, this video helped me understand why a couple of my colors have become ‘grainy’ as I have been using straight flow aid. Is there a way to remedy this if I have made this mistake?
I can onIy suggest it may be because certain colors have more pigment or binders than others, and straight FA may be adding to that causing the little granular pieces. I’ve only noticed it a few times in random companies paints, but I’ve noticed it too. I used straight FA forever, and it didn’t seem to matter whether it was straight or diluted, I’d still get those little grains. I’m going to say it is the paint more than the additive, but too much straight FA can make it worse.
Hello! If I receive a kit that has dry paint, what do I do??
Morning mel!!
Good morning, sunshine ☀️! I know I’m a day late...but my hubby is off work and disrupts my routine. 😂
I already have artist loft slow dry gel medium. Can I use that in place of flow aid? I have already been painting with acrylics. I am starting this new journey with a friend of mine. Love your videos.
No, a slow dry medium is more of a paint extender that keeps the paint from drying while you paint and allows you to blend. Flow-aid improves its consistency for movement on the canvas.
Love those nails today Miss Melanie :)
Thank you! 🥰 Aren’t they “lovely”? (Pun intended 😂!) They were one of my Valentine’s Day manicures. ❤️
Too much talking not enough visual
Send me the link for your channel so I can critique your videos. You are the only person who has had a negative comment in 3 years…says a lot about you. ☺️ You’re welcome for the free information I provided.