HOW TO USE THE RINSE AID TECHNIQUE

CREATE A COOL EFFECT WITH AN EVERYDAY DISHWASHER PRODUCT!

MATERIALS AND TOOLS:

• acrylic (or watercolor) paint
• water
• paintbrush
• canvas or paper
• dishwasher rinse aid
• rags
• gel medium (optional)
• squirt bottle (optional)

This lesson will show you an easy how-to, and you can use the effect you get as a cool background! 

Or you can do it on paper and use the dry paper later in a collage project.

1. Cover the canvas or paper with acrylic paint in the color of your choice, to seal the surface. (You can also seal the surface with gel medium.) Let dry. 
2. Select a contrasting paint color (much lighter or darker than the first) and thin the acrylic paint with water. 
3. Apply the thinned paint quickly, and while it is still wet, drip the rinse aid into it.

Beginning the rinse aid technique

Note: You can use a thin brush to draw rinse aid lines, or make large spots of the rinse aid run by tilting the paper or canvas. You can even saturate a sponge with rinse aid and stamp it onto the wet paint.

The effects you get might be satisfying this way (especially with watercolors!), but here's another tip: Use a damp rag or paper towel to wipe off the surface.

Example of  the technique using acrylic paint on mixed media paper

More advice? If you aren't happy with your results, repeat the process with a third color of acrylic paint!

Experiment with different color combos on a variety of surfaces. 

The example below was done with watercolors.

Spray the paper with water first for best results.