On 10/25/2003 09:13 AM, Anne Higham wrote:
In article , says...

I'll probably use quite a lot so I don't want to splash out on the commercial
Gels if there's a cheaper substitute!
Anne H.

From: Babs Boone

the wisdom of using cheap substitutes would be
my question if this is work you have any pride
in, and especially if you plan to sell it. My
personal belief is that penny pinching constitutes
a serious constraint on one's creative drive.
My admonition to beginning art students is to
buy quality rather than quantity. ie; One or two
expensive watercolor brushes will do more for
your efforts than a can full of cheap substitutes.

Babs ~ many thanks for the suggestions about possible substitutes... that's
really useful.

I agree, in principle, with your recommendation about buying and using quality
products (rather than quantity).

However, this raises an interesting dilemma as it pre-supposes that there's a
choice involved. There have been times in my life when *any* commercial product
was financially out of my reach. It was not a case of "penny pinching" ~ it was
a case of choosing between craft items or household bills. It was then that I
satisfied my creative side by using products and materials already in my
home..... and it was fun!

I'm now in the happy position of being able to occasionally buy, when necessary,
some of the commercial products/materials. Thus my question asking about
possible substitutes for Acrylic Gel Medium - if there's a cheaper acceptable
alternative I'll use it. If not, I'll buy the recognised commercial product.
Old habits die hard!!

Anne H.




Anne, have you tried Elmer's glue or Mod Podge? Elmer's might need to
be diluted a bit. They both dry clear. Just a thought.

Liz