Acrylics, because they are water-based, can be thinned with water to create transparent washes. But the pigments don’t tend to adhere very well once this is done, which is where glazing media come in.

Dear Debbie: I am learning how to paint with glazes and love the hints of colour you get when you add a layer of glaze over colour. I’m trying a gingham pattern in the nursery and taping like mad.