Media Painting
5 Advantages of Using Acrylic Paint
When I used to think of paint and paintings, I would think of either Water Colors or oil paints, I never thought of acrylic paint. I had heard of acrylics, but I never really gave them any thought until recently when I saw some wonderful acrylic paintings at the Fairhaven Originals Gallery. There were a couple of things about them that really caught my eye, things that turned out to be advantages of acrylics over other types of paints.
But first, a little bit of history about acrylic paint. Most of us are primarily familiar with oils and water colors, the first because that is the paint used by all of the Old Masters; the second because we all used water colors in school as children. Though ours were on a little tray instead of in tubes! Acrylics have not been around for very long. They were first introduced for use in the art world in the 1950's under the name of Magna by Bocour Artist Colors. These original acrylics were mineral spirit-based paints, though only a few years later water-based acrylic paints became available. Andy Warhol was one of the first famous painters to adopt the use of acrylics. Not much else can be said about acrylics, without discussing their benefits. So here are advantages of using acrylic paints.
- Acrylics can be used with a wide range of techniques. They can be thinned down with water and used as a wash like watercolors, or used to build up thick layers of paint, even to the point of having relief features that are sculptural. Anywhere from a gloss to a matte finish can be accomplished using different techniques.
- Can be used on a wide range of media. Though oil and water paints can be used on different media, acrylics can bond to a greater variety of different surfaces. Besides canvas and paper, acrylics can be used on wood, metal, concrete, stone, and more. Plus, the appearance of the paint can be modified depending upon the surface and other media introduced to the paint.
- acrylic paints are fast drying. This is one of the primary differences between acrylic paint and oils, and depending upon what you are doing, it is either good or bad. With some techniques, a long drying time is beneficial, it allows for more time to blend colors. But for the artist who likes to work quickly, acrylics are a must. It is the fast evaporation of water that allows for the quicker drying time, and if it dries too quickly for you, you can add in retarders to slow down the drying process.
- Acrylics can be mixed with a wide range of media. You can add a lot of textures and variety to your art by mixing other media into the paint. Some of the possibilities include sand, rice or pasta. Or, when the acrylic dries, you can use other media, such as charcoal, pen, and pastels on top of the paint.
- Acrylics seem to be more stable than other paints. They have only been around for 60 years, but so far there are no signs of cracking, yellowing or other deterioration.
If you have not yet tried acrylic paints, give them a chance. With some of their many advantages, you may be quite pleased with your results.
About the Author
Here are some great examples of acrylic paintings online, giving you just a small sample of the diversity of uses with acrylic paints.
Mixed Media painting - UK
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 All Media Easel Artist Set List Price: Sale Price: $58.50 You save: $31.49 (35%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThis phenomenal kit includes everything you need to get started as an artist! Set includes twelve each of Essentials Oil Paints, Essentials Watercolor Paints, Essentials Acrylic Paints, Artist Oil Pastels, Watercolor Paper Sheets and Artist Paste, three each of White Bristle Brushes, Taklon Brushes, White Nylon Brushes and Plastic Palette Knives, two Canvas Boards and one each: Wooden Palette, Plastic six-well Palette, Drawing Pencil, Eraser, Pencil Sharpener and Artist Box Easel...  |
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 TAYLOR SWIFT BEAUTIFUL ORG MIXED MEDIA OIL PAINTING ON CANVAS W GALLERY WRAP STYLE FRAMING 28X22X1.5" Sale Price: $139.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThis artwork has been created from an original oil hand-painting stroke by stroke process. After hrs of painting the original artwork to its perfection, we use Giclee technology to spray the finished painting on canvas... |
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Environmental Tech 32-ounce Easycast Casting Epoxy $38.49 This Environmental tech easycast casting epoxy features a low odor, and is solvent free and clear casting. This material can be used for casting small decorative items, such as jewelry. |
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F+W Media Charles Reid?s Watercolor Secrets DVD $29.98 This F+W Media DVD features tricks for taking visual measurements, creating a contour drawing, and achieving realistic skin tones. Many lessons on watercolor, for painting the figure and landscapes, are included. |
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Ed Wade 'Watercolor Basics' Instructional DVD $25.49 This video walks you through the process of learning your colors and their properties and how they work with each other. Color graphs, color wheels, and mixing vibrant colors are just some of the things you will learn in this video. |
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Ed Wade 'Painting Barns' Instructional DVD $25.49 This video simplifies the art of painting barns and landscapes. You learn how to see areas of your landscape as simple shapes which helps you to receive successful results every time. |
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Ed Wade 'Learn To Draw' Digital Instructional Book $15.49 This instructional digital book details the process of learning to draw. You learn about all of the tools, including paper and pencils. You will learn 14 design principles, in easy to understand steps, that will help your compositions stand out. |
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F+W Media Painting Mood and Atmosphere in Oils DVD $25.03 This F+W Media DVD features tips and techniques on color, value, shape, and edges. This DVD covers the oil painting process from priming canvas to completing the final details. |
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Tom Lynch's 'Secrets of Painting Watercolor on Canvas' DVD $14.83 This Tom Lynch painting watercolor on canvas DVD features 50 minutes of watercolor instruction from Tom Lynch, with 10 minute bonus tip sections. Tom Lynch has taught watercolor workshops for over 30 years. |
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F+W Media Acrylics: The Watercolor Alternative DVD $29.98 This F+W Media DVD features lessons on painting two different landscapes, and demonstrates the use of additives to enhance acrylic colors. This DVD showcases using acrylic paint as an alternative to watercolor. |
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F+W Media Incredible Light and Texture in Watercolor DVD $29.98 This F+W Media DVD features 2 watercolor painting demonstrations, one demonstration of a waterscape, and one of a cityscape. Many lessons on watercolor are included, on topics such as masking and dry brushing techniques. |
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F+W Media Beautiful Botanicals DVD $29.98 This F+W Media DVD features a series of painting projects, including painting tulips, primroses, daffodils, and lilies. Watercolors, colored pencils, and ink are some of mediums demonstrated in this DVD. |
