The more you know about painting, the better. And acrylic paints aren’t just about the right amount and colors, there are many other factors that influence your result! Acrylic paint has been very popular with artists for years. It’s easy to use and gives you the freedom to create your own rules when painting! They are also complex enough to paint bright colors or detailed landscapes on large canvases.
Mixing colors
Acrylic products are the perfect choice for anyone who likes to be in control of their work. These colors are easy to apply and you can mix colors from different manufacturers as well as texture pastes and gels. That means there are no limits when it comes to creating your masterpiece!
If you want to mix colors, it’s important that you do this with a paint knife, because if you try your brush, you’ll notice it clumps with paint. If this is the case, you can no longer use the brush for painting and should wash it first. To avoid this process, a painting knife is very handy.
Conclusion: Acrylic paints are a good choice for anyone who wants more control when painting. They’re so simple that anyone can use them, but so complex that they can also conjure up bright colors or detailed landscapes on canvas-sized pictures!
Quick drying time
Acrylic paints have a unique drying process that can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Acrylic paint dries quickly, so they are easier to work with, because not much time passes between applying new layers. However, this also creates unwanted edges on the painting surface if you don’t finish applying the paint quickly enough.
To extend the drying time of your acrylic paint, you can use a “retarder”. A so-called “retarder” delays the drying time and allows longer meals! The manufacturer’s recommendations indicate in what proportion you need to mix the paint to achieve this effect. Just make sure you don’t use too much of it, otherwise you’ll end up with less coverage because some layers won’t dry completely.
Acrylic paints become waterproof
Acrylic paints are great for painting pictures with many layers. After one layer has dried, you can easily apply the next one without worrying about watery stains ruining your work! The fast drying time of these quality products is unique.
Clean brushes and spatulas with water immediately after use, but once the paint residue has dried up, special acrylic paint brush cleaners are very useful to keep your painting tools clean.
Using acrylic paints as glue
Sticking on elements with acrylic paint that is still wet is a great way to create collages. The adhesive properties of acrylic are another advantage that anyone can use to express themselves creatively.
Dilute with water
Acrylic paint can be diluted with water to produce glazes, for example. Not only do thinned acrylics dry out matt, they also have a different consistency than fully synthetic paints, which can lead to difficulties if you use them incorrectly.
Before and after effect of acrylic paints
Acrylic paints consist of three components: pigments, a binder, and water. When the acrylic paint dries, it becomes darker than before because the white binder has become transparent due to the conversion from wet to dry and has also absorbed some colors. That’s why the before-and-after effect can be quite large! The difficulty with remixing one is that it’s almost impossible to find an exact match again.
The gloss of acrylic paint
The binder gives each acrylic paint its own shine. Depending on the type of polymer used in the different colors, some will shine more after drying, while others lose their luster quickly. The differences are often easy to see when you compare shades of similar manufacturers.
You can also experiment with different colors from different manufacturers and find the ones you like best. There are painting aids that specifically change the gloss level of your acrylic paint or even some that create a satin/matte surface!
To give your acrylic painting an even shine, it is recommended to seal the surface with final varnish.
Introduce different painting media
Acrylic paintings are the perfect canvas to experiment with different media. They can be painted with oil paints, gouache or pastel crayons. You have many more ways to express yourself creatively!
Get to know the manufacturers
From choosing the right color to using a high-quality binder, acrylic paints are an investment that will last for years. Some manufacturers have different gloss levels or flow properties depending on what they’re for, but it’s important that you don’t just buy just any set.
The manufacturers’ product descriptions usually contain information about the properties. Thick paints are described as “pasty consistency,” for example, and glossy or semi-matt surfaces can be recognized by how quickly they dry to achieve the desired result.
Conclusion: get to work!
Acrylic paint is a popular choice for anyone who wants to create their own masterpieces. This medium is perfect because of its consistency and lightness. Ideal if you’re just starting out painting or want something simple!
