Comparing Matisse Acrylic Formulas

September 8, 2024

Which Formula Suits Your Artistic Vision?

When it comes to choosing the right acrylic paint for your artwork, Matisse offers three distinct formulas—Structure, Fluid, and Flow—each with its own unique properties to suit different styles and techniques. Whether you're after bold texture, smooth washes, or fine details, these formulas provide incredible versatility to bring your creative vision to life. Let’s dive into the characteristics of each and see how they compare.

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Matisse Structure Formula: Rich and Textured

Matisse Structure Acrylics are renowned for their thick, impasto consistency, perfect for artists who want to create striking, textured effects. With a rich body ideal for application by brush or palette knife, this formula allows for heavy, textured strokes that hold their shape. Available in over 120 vibrant colours, including uniquely Australian hues, Structure Acrylics offer deep, intense pigmentation and a full spectrum of shades. The archival quality ensures that your work stands the test of time, while the high lightfastness rating guarantees the colours won’t fade. Artists also love the flexibility of Structure, as it pairs beautifully with the Matisse Mediums to create varied finishes, making it an excellent choice for bold, expressive artworks.

Matisse Fluid Formula: Smooth and Precise

If you're looking for a paint with the consistency of ink but the strength of acrylic, Matisse Fluid Acrylics are the go-to choice. Despite their liquid-like texture, these paints are packed with pigment, offering rich, dark tones that can easily be lightened or thinned with water. Available in 40 brilliant colours, Matisse Fluid is highly versatile, allowing for fine control with drop-by-drop precision when mixing or tinting other paints. This makes them particularly ideal for artists who need precision in colour adjustments or who work in layers, washes, or detailed designs. Additionally, Matisse Fluid Acrylics are fully compatible with Structure and Flow formulas, making it easy to blend or combine them in mixed-media artworks.

Matisse Flow Formula: Smooth and Versatile

Matisse Flow Acrylics strike a balance between the thick impasto quality of Structure and the liquid texture of Fluid. With a thinner viscosity than Structure, Flow Acrylics allow for easy, flowing brushstrokes without compromising pigment intensity. This makes them a perfect choice for fine detail work, murals, airbrushing, and even techniques like watercolour simulation. Available in 95 colours, including metallics and uniquely Australian tones, Matisse Flow provides smooth, even coverage with a low-sheen finish. The formula's excellent levelling properties ensure that the paint dries evenly, making it ideal for everything from geometric designs to photo-realistic portraits. As with the other formulas, Flow Acrylics are compatible with the Matisse Mediums, giving artists the flexibility to explore different textures and effects within a single piece.

Choosing the Right Formula

Each Matisse acrylic formula offers something unique to the artist’s toolkit. For those seeking bold textures and thick strokes, Matisse Structure is the ideal choice. If precision and smooth flow are key, Matisse Fluid provides a versatile, highly pigmented option. And for artists needing free-flowing brushwork with fine details, Matisse Flow offers the perfect blend of smoothness and pigment intensity. No matter which formula you choose, Matisse Acrylics deliver professional-quality results that stand the test of time. The real magic happens when you experiment with blending these formulas to achieve new and exciting effects in your artwork.