We’re excited to introduce you to Pure Power, Intense Pigment, the new Schmincke PRIMAcryl Professional Acrylics at The Deckle Edge – a premium-quality range designed for artists who value pigment strength, archival permanence and total control.
Whether you’re after bold textures or precise detail, this range delivers exceptional colour and versatility in every stroke.
Why artists choose PRIMAcryl
Schmincke is known globally for its uncompromising quality, and the PRIMAcryl line brings that same standard to acrylics. What sets it apart?
Two formats, endless possibilities:
- PRIMAcryl Heavy Body Acrylics: A thick, buttery consistency that holds brush and knife marks beautifully. Ideal for impasto, layering and expressive mark-making.
- PRIMAcryl Fluid Acrylics: Smooth and highly pigmented, these flow beautifully from the brush without needing dilution. Perfect for fine detail, glazing, fluid art and clean linework.
Unlike other fluid acrylics that rely on water to achieve flow, PRIMAcryl Fluid Acrylics maintain a rich pigment load with excellent coverage and no sacrifice in vibrancy. The consistency allows for effortless movement without thinning out the colour, making it a go-to for illustrators, portrait artists, and anyone needing precision.
Both formats are now available in primary colours, black and white, along with two curated PRIMAcryl sets to get you started or expand your palette.
More than paint: mediums that shape your process
To give you even greater control, Schmincke has developed a full suite of professional-grade acrylic mediums that pair perfectly with PRIMAcryl paints.
Acrylic Diamond Gel Medium
Adds a crystal-clear, glossy texture to your work. Use on its own or mix with colour to enhance transparency and depth.
Acrylic Gouache Medium
Transforms any PRIMAcryl colour into a flat, velvety gouache-style paint. Ideal for illustration, mural work or reducing glare in finished pieces.
Acrylic Wax Gel Medium
Creates a matte, waxy finish. Excellent for softening shine and adding a tactile surface quality to your artwork.
Plant-Based Acrylic Binder
A more sustainable option, this medium is made using renewable materials. Use it to make your own paint by mixing with pigments or to extend and thin existing colours for glazing effects.
How to use the mediums
Start with small amounts – around 10–30% medium to paint – and adjust as needed. Always test your mixture before applying to a final piece. Be sure to clean your tools promptly, especially when using fast-drying gels. Allow your layers to fully dry before varnishing.
Finish with purpose
Protect and enhance your completed work with professional varnishes:
- Glossy or Matt Waterborne Varnish
Easy to apply and non-yellowing. These water-based varnishes offer a clean finish without altering colour intensity. You’ve got options when it comes to finishing your work — and changing your mind. Schmincke’s waterborne varnishes can be safely removed using a gentle alkaline solution (like 2–3 teaspoons of baking soda mixed into 100ml of water) or a traditional varnish remover, so you can rework or revarnish your piece without damaging the paint underneath. - Dammar Varnish
A traditional resin varnish that adds a rich, classic sheen to your acrylic paintings.
Recommended products
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Schmincke Glossy and Waterborne Varnish
Price range: R250.00 through R499.00 -
Schmincke Matt and Waterborne Varnish
Price range: R250.00 through R499.00 -
Schmincke Dammar Resin Varnish 200ml
R499.00
Conscious creativity: what’s inside matters
Schmincke’s approach goes beyond professional performance – the PRIMAcryl range is also made with sustainability and artist health in mind.
- The binder used in PRIMAcryl paints includes recycled tyres, reducing environmental impact through the reuse of industrial materials.
- No microplastics are used in the formulation.
- Water-based and low-odour, making them safer for shared studio spaces and sensitive users.
- All colours are vegan, with the exception of Mars Black.
- New cadmium-free replacement hues are available, offering safer alternatives with equally strong colour performance.
It’s a thoughtful acrylic range for artists who care not only about colour and quality, but also about their impact on the environment.
According to professional artist and Schmincke brand ambassador Evan Woodruffe, the PRIMAcrly Titanium White is the most opaque white he has ever used. Watch this video to find out more about these amazing professional acrylics from Germany…
Explore the range and help us expand it
We’ve included the full Schmincke PRIMAcryl colour chart on our website to help you plan your palette.
The total palette is 90 professional-grade acrylic colours, with 48 of those colours being available in fluid form, perfect for detailed, flowing applications. There are 17 new shades to enhance the range, including cadmium-free hues, metallics, and speciality tones. If there’s a specific colour you’d love to see us stock next, please let us know – we’re building this range with artists like you in mind.
Explore the full Schmincke PRIMAcryl range online or visit us in-store to test the texture and talk to our team.