GOLDEN OPEN Slow-Drying Acrylics Mixing Set - Extended Working Time

In this review the GOLDEN OPEN Slow-Drying Acrylics Mixing Set is evaluated for artists who need time to blend and refine color. The set's biggest advantage is its extended working time, which makes it easy to glaze, shade and soften edges without the paint drying before adjustments are complete. It is a mixing-focused kit that supplies warm and cool primaries plus useful neutrals and an OPEN thinner, making it practical for portraiture, plein air sessions and printmaking where controlled slow-drying behavior matters.

Key Features

• Split primary system: A warm and cool version of each primary simplifies color mixing and expands the achievable palette with fewer tubes.
• Comprehensive color selection: Twelve artist-grade colors include yellows, reds, blues, greens and neutrals to mix a wide range of hues without buying extra paints.
• OPEN thinner included: The 1 fl. oz. OPEN Thinner lets artists subtly adjust flow and working time for glazing or softening edges.
• Slow-drying formulation: Extended open time reduces waste on the palette and helps preserve mixed colors for ongoing sessions.
• Mixable with fast acrylics: The OPEN paints can be blended with faster-drying acrylics to control overall drying behavior in a palette or on the canvas.

Who It's For

The set is best for professional and serious hobbyist painters who value workability over instant drying. Portrait artists, plein air painters working in cooler conditions and printmakers who need slow tacky films will appreciate the longer blending window and the split primary approach to mixing.

Beginners who prefer quick drying or artists who only need large economical tubes for broad coverage may want to look elsewhere; this kit focuses on mixing control and color variety rather than large-volume economy.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Excellent blending and glazing capability due to the slow-drying OPEN formula.
• Thoughtful color selection with warm and cool primaries that reduce the need for many additional tubes.
• Includes a usable OPEN thinner to fine-tune working time and flow.

Cons

• Small 22 ml tubes are less economical for artists who use high volumes of paint regularly.

Specifications

Brand	GOLDEN
Set contents	Twelve 3/4 fl. oz. / 22 ml tubes and one 1 fl. oz. / 30 ml OPEN Thinner
Included colors	Benzimidazolone Yellow Light, Benzimidazolone Yellow Medium, Naphthol Red Light, Quinacridone Magenta, Phthalo Blue (Red Shade), Phthalo Blue (Green Shade), Phthalo Green (Blue Shade), Phthalo Green (Yellow Shade), Raw Umber, Titan Buff, Carbon Black, Titanium White
Paint type	Slow-drying professional acrylic (OPEN)
Ideal uses	Blending, glazing, portraiture, plein air, printmaking
Mixability	Mixable with fast-drying acrylics to control working time

Our Verdict

For artists who need flexible open time and a versatile mixing palette, this set is a strong value; the split primary method and included thinner make color mixing and extended sessions much easier, while the professional-grade OPEN formula improves blending and glazing work without forcing constant repainting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much paint is included?
The kit contains twelve 3/4 fl. oz. / 22 ml tubes plus one 1 fl. oz. / 30 ml OPEN Thinner.

Can these paints be mixed with regular acrylics?
Yes, the OPEN paints are mixable with fast-drying acrylics to adjust working time and drying behavior.

Are these colors suitable for portrait work?
Yes, the extended working time and color selection are well suited to portraiture where smooth blends and glazing are needed.