Are Golden Open Acrylics Suitable for Landscapes?

Jed Dorsey • December 20, 2019

In a recent Q&A one of our members asked:


"Have you used Golden Open Acrylics? I use them for portrait work because they blend so readily, but I'm not sure if they're suitable for landscape painting."


Golden Open Acrylics are acrylic paints that stay wet longer than traditional acrylic paints. The word "open" means you have a longer open time to mix the paints and blend them.


I know they can be really good for landscape painting because I personally know a couple of people that use them well.


A friend of ours in Indiana named Rick Wilson was the first person that I ever saw using them, and he does a great job with them. When I painted with him a couple years ago, that was all I saw him use, although I know he switches back and forth with oils. 

acrylic painting of  a sunset in a white field

Jeremy Sams - A New Day Dawning



And another painter I've really admired is Jeremy Sams from North Carolina. He uses Golden Open Acrylics and does these really luminous beautiful paintings. You can tell that he's taking advantage of the longer "open" time and blending his paints a lot to get some really soft, subtle effects. So, if "the proof is in the pudding", these paintings prove Golden Open paints can be used very effectively in studio and out for landscape painting.

acrylic painting of pink smokey mountain blooms

Jeremy Sams - Smokey Mountain Blooms - Plein Air

So, Why Haven't I Used Them?



I've never personally used Golden Open Acrylics because I'm so accustomed to the fast drying quality of regular acrylics I don't really think I would do well with the longer dry time. I've read that if you put the paint on thick, it will stay wet for a really long time, like a month. Now, there's a part of me that would love to try it, but I also feel like I would probably be frustrated in some ways because they would work differently, and I would want them to dry so I could put another layer over the top.


 So that's why I haven't used them. It doesn't mean I won't, but I just haven't yet. But as I observe these other artists and how they are using them, I heartily recommend Golden Open Acrylics to anyone who is looking for some slower dry times.


Jed Dorsey


See more of Jeremy Sams' work HERE

See Rick Wilson's work HERE

An ad for a free course on acrylic painting for total beginners
By Jed Dorsey February 8, 2025
Essential Tools for Acrylic Painters Acrylic painting is one of the most versatile and accessible forms of painting. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, having the right tools can make all the difference in your creative process. In this post, we'll go over the essential supplies every acrylic painter should have if you're a TOTAL beginner. Even if you're used to Acrylic Painting, you'll learn a lot from this! There's a lot of unhelpful information out there that makes it seem like it's more difficult to figure out than it actually is. There's only a few supplies you need and you're all set to master Acrylic paints 1. Acrylic Paints Student vs. Artist Grade Paints There are two main types of acrylic paints: student grade and artist grade . Student-grade paints are more affordable and work well for beginners, but they contain less pigment and more filler, which can result in weaker colors. Artist-grade paints have a higher concentration of pigment, providing richer, more vibrant colors and better mixing capabilities.
By Jed Dorsey January 20, 2025
Acrylic University reviews Reddit and more reviews from real members
By Jed Dorsey January 20, 2025
Use design and composition to improve a painting!
More Posts
Share by: