Why Artists Swear by Jo Sonja Paints: The Matte Acrylic Powerhouse for Miniatures, Folk Art & More

Meta Title: Is Jo Sonja Paint Good? Discover the Artist-Favourite Matte Acrylic Paint
Meta Description: What is Jo Sonja used for? Is it gouache? We explore the benefits of Jo Sonja paints, who Jo Sonja Jansen is, and why artists—especially miniaturists and folk painters—love it.

A Brush with History: Who is Jo Sonja Jansen?

If you’ve ever stepped into the world of folk art or detailed miniature painting, chances are you’ve heard the name Jo Sonja Jansen. A globally recognised decorative artist and educator, Jo Sonja played a huge role in revitalising traditional Scandinavian painting techniques in the US. But her influence didn’t stop there—she partnered with Australian paint manufacturer Chroma in the mid-1980s to develop a high-quality, artist-grade acrylic system specifically for decorative painting.

Her goal? Create a paint that behaves like gouache, flows like a dream, and holds its pigment like a fine art acrylic. The result: Jo Sonja’s Matte Flow Acrylics.

What Is Jo Sonja Used For?

Jo Sonja paints are loved across many art forms, but their main stage is folk art and miniature painting. With a buttery texture and consistent matte finish, they’re ideal for:

• Miniature figures and tabletop terrain
   
• Folk art & tole painting (perfect for fine details and layering)
   
• Mixed media and collage
   
• Decorative pieces like ornaments, wood panels, ceramics, and more

Is Jo Sonja Good?

Spend five minutes in a painting forum or deep in a YouTube miniature-painting binge and you’ll see the question: “Is Jo Sonja good?” The answer? A loud, confident yes—and here’s why artists keep coming back to it.

1. Perfect Consistency for Detail

Jo Sonja paints have a buttery-smooth flow—thin enough for detail work and layering, yet with enough body for dry brushing and textured highlights. No chalky drag or plasticky slickness—just smooth, consistent strokes.

2. Matte Finish = No Glare

One of its standout features is the velvet matte finish, which eliminates glare under studio lights or when photographing your work. Ideal for mini painters, illustrators, and anyone scanning artwork for prints.

3. Pure Pigments, Bold Colour

Formulated with artist-quality pigments, many Jo Sonja colours are single-pigment, which means better mixing, brighter results, and longer-lasting work.

4. Artist-Grade Without the Price Tag

Comparable to Holbein Acryla Gouache or Golden Fluid Acrylics, Jo Sonja delivers professional performance at an affordable price—a rare combo that suits both beginners and pros.

5. A Full Paint System

Jo Sonja is more than paint—it’s a full creative toolkit. Mix in:

Retarder Medium for blending
 

Flow Medium for ultra-fine detail
 

Crackle or Opal Dust for decorative finishes
 

It’s flexible, tweakable, and adaptable to your style.

Lab-Tested, Artist-Loved

With ASTM I or II lightfastness, Jo Sonja paints are archival and fade-resistant—perfect for artwork meant to last.

What Artists Say

“The pigment load is insane—I barely use any paint for a whole terrain piece.”
“Behaves like gouache, dries like acrylic, and plays nice with all my other paints.”
“No gloss, no glare—just gorgeous colour.”

Are Jo Sonja Paints Gouache?

We get this question a lot: Are Jo Sonja paints gouache? The answer is: not exactly—but close.
Jo Sonja Matte Flow Acrylics mimic the look and feel of gouache with their flat, non-glossy finish, but unlike gouache, they:

Won’t re-wet once dry
 

Offer greater durability
 

Can be layered without reactivating previous strokes
 

So while they’re not technically gouache, they’re a top-tier substitute—especially if you’re after that signature matte look without the fuss of traditional gouache.

The Benefits of Jo Sonja’s Matte Flow Acrylics

Here’s what sets this paint apart in the acrylic crowd:

Bonus: Paints & Mediums to Try First

If you're building your first Jo Sonja collection, start with these:

Titanium White (classic, for all mixes)
 

Cadmium Scarlet
 

Ultramarine Deep
 

Burnt Umber
 

Phthalo Green

Dioxazine Purple

Pair them with mediums like Flow Medium for smoother strokes, or Opal Dust for a bit of sparkle (perfect on fairy wings or magical terrain!).

Final Thoughts

Whether you're deep in the world of miniature painting or a folk artist who needs precision and punchy colour, Jo Sonja's paints are a hidden gem worth exploring. They offer a rare balance of professional quality, aesthetic charm, and unmatched versatility.

So the next time someone asks:
“Is Jo Sonja good?” or
“Are Jo Sonja paints gouache?”
—send them this blog.

Because the answer is bold, matte, and absolutely yes.