This is a good place to consider working with oil paints instead of acrylic, especially if you have a large area to paint. While thinning solvents can be a PITA, oils dry slower and allow you more time for blending. In addition, you can work with oils to create even more texture with brush and palette knife. Now, the fact that oils dry slower means that 72 hour waiting period should be at least a week if not two to avoid cracking when laying on the clear layer.