Can I Mix Different Brands Of Acrylic Paint?
Yes, all acrylic paints are intermixable. However, not all brands are lightfast or colour permanent. Some cheap makes even crack, flake and disintegrate over time. To avoid some parts of your painting from eventually yellowing and fading especially in direct sunlight, it is essential to use good quality, well-made paints. This will ensure the longevity of your artwork.
Artist Grade Paint
It is also acceptable to mix Artist grade paints with Student grade paints. The expensive Artist grade paints have a higher pigment content, consequently they are more vibrant than cheaper paints. It is wise to be aware of this varying pigment content when mixing acrylic paint colours and proceed cautiously.
Experiment
Some brands of acrylic paint dry with a more matte sheen, while others have a glossy finish. Experiment with all the paints on some scrap paper first to avoid an uneven surface finish on your painting. Thick and thin paints must be mixed together carefully so that lumps do not form.
Quality Manufacturers
Most good quality manufacturers of decent acrylic paints avoid the issue of mixing brands, because they want to promote their own product. They do recommend that inferior products are not used with their paints. Low-quality inferior brands will not last in the long-term. The best option is to test out mixing various paints first, before commencing a major artwork.
