The process of choosing paint is highly individual, since it depends on factors such as one’s preferred artistic aesthetic and preferred painting methods. However, before you go in with acrylic paints, there are a few things you should know. Take a look below to find out more.
There’s a good reason why acrylics are so well-liked by painters of all skill levels: they work great. Unlike oil paints, which can take days to dry, you can use acrylic paints immediately after you mix it. They are a type of paint that uses an acrylic polymer emulsion to suspend pigment in water. Additionally, they are well-known for their quick drying time and adaptability to different substrates.
What Exactly is Acrylic Paint?
Acrylics are versatile paints that you can apply to many different types of surfaces and dry quickly. Acrylic paint has a polymer foundation, which allows you to use it in thick applications like oils, or diluted with water or medium, like watercolors. Acrylics, when combined with gels, pastes, and media, allow for effects that are impossible to achieve with oils or watercolors alone. In reality, there is an almost infinite number of acrylic painting styles possible due to the versatility of acrylics.
Which Surfaces are Suitable for Acrylic Paints?
In a wide variety of applications, acrylic paint shines. You may put it to use on a wide range of substrates.You may also use it to color any flat surface, from paper to canvas. Additionally, you may use it as a decorative element for other things.
You may use acrylic paints on a variety of surfaces, including the following:
- Textile
- Wood
- Plastic
- Glass
- Clay
Different Types of Acrylic Paints
Acrylic paint is truly living up to its versatile characteristic. Here are some of the many varieties of acrylic paint:
Heavy Body
They are often of artist quality, being thick with a high pigment load. You may apply this thick acrylic with a palette knife instead of a paintbrush.
Soft Body
They have a smoother, almost fluid texture. In contrast to heavy body acrylics, they barely show brush strokes, if any at all, when painted with.
Acrylic Sprays
The liquid nature of acrylic sprays and the spray gun used to apply them make them an intriguing medium. They gain the ability to paint smoothly and uniformly across a surface, but at the expense of some control.
Acrylic Markers
Acrylic markers are essentially portable acrylic paint brushes.They are less messy since you don’t have to use a brush, which is one of their many advantages. They are permanent once dried on permeable materials like paper and are water based.
Fluid Acrylic Paint
The pigmentation of fluid acrylics is comparable to heavy body acrylics, but its viscosity is more like that of water. You may use them in a variety of pouring and spraying methods.
Variants of Acrylic Paint
There are typically two grades of acrylic paint available from most manufacturers: student and artist. Here are some key distinctions between the two:
Artist Quality
Paints made for artists provide more coverage and vibrancy. They are also available in a rainbow of colors, both in bulk packs and as singles. However, they do carry a higher price tag.
Student Quality
In comparison to higher-quality artist paints, the results from using them will be less impressive since they include more filler and less pigment. One advantage is that they are less expensive, making it ideal for those who are just starting to paint.
Things to Consider Before Buying Acrylic Paints
Although acrylics may be used for a variety of projects, there are several things to keep in mind before making the purchase.
Use
You don’t have to stress over expensive artist-grade paints if acrylic painting is a passion of yours or if you use it for art journaling. Get yourself some cheap acrylic paint meant for beginners. If you try acrylic and find that you don’t like it, you may try one of these alternatives without losing too much cash.
Colors
Acrylics come in a mind-boggling array of hues. If you’re just getting started with color theory, the primary colors of blue, red, and yellow are a good place to start. White and black are acceptable alternatives for highlighting, blending, and hiding. If you are just starting out, it is best not to buy a whole rainbow of colors at once as you may not be able to use them all.
Consistency
More advanced acrylic painters and those interested in creating textures may appreciate the higher price of heavy body paints. Otherwise, choose soft-body acrylics to be able to combine colors and leave fewer brush strokes in your work.
Equipment for Acrylic Painting
You should get acquainted with the tools you’ll use before beginning acrylic painting. Here are some examples below:
- acrylic paints
- paintbrushes
- painting surface
- artist palette
- varnish
Here are some additional equipment you may want to purchase:
- easel
- palette knife
- scraping tools, sponge, toothpick, etc
- acrylic mediums
Wrapping It Up
Acrylic paint is an excellent medium for painters of all skill levels, but it is especially useful for novices who are eager to learn about and experiment with new painting techniques. Experiment with several mediums, styles, and techniques to discover the one that best suits your tastes and ambitions as an artist if you want to broaden your horizons in your area of love.
