What is Acrylic Paint?
Put
simply, acrylic paints are ground pigment
suspended in a polymer – a plastic-based polyethylene that dries stable.
Acrylic paint is defined by the following properties:
It is water based. You can thin this paint with
water into watercolour-like washes, or you can apply the paint neat from the
tube for impasto-like effects. Being a watersoluble paint, you require only
water to clean the brushes.
Once the acrylic paint is dry, it becomes water-resistant.
This means the paint cannot be reworked. So you really need to get the effects
desired before it dries. Depending upon the atmospheric conditions, acrylics will
become touch-dry in around half-an-hour to a few hours. In very dry conditions,
it could dry within a few minutes.
Like oil paint, acrylic paint is essentially an
opaque medium in that most of the colours have great covering power, although
some pigments (like lemon yellow and ultramarine) are transparent by nature and
require white to make it opaque.
Acrylic paint is versatile, robust and forgiving.
However, you need to avoid storing acrylic paintings in very cold conditions as
the paint (could, but not always) crack.
Preparing Surfaces for Acrylic Paint
Although this medium is robust, the proper preparation
of the art surface is required prior to painting, particularly if the painting
is to be an ambitious project. This will prevent problems arising in the
future.
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| Surfaces Suitable for Acrylics |
Many supports are suitable for acrylic painting,
which includes thick paper, watercolour paper, card, board, hardboard, MDF and stretched-canvas.
For convenience, ready-sized surfaces such as Daler-boards and sketch pads can
be purchased from art shops.
How to Size Surfaces for Acrylic Painting
However, if you wish to prepare your own art surface
and save money, you can purchase a tin of white primer, (in art shops known as ‘acrylic
gesso’). Acrylic gesso is merely white pigment suspended in a polymer. One coat
applied via a wide brush is all that is required. If priming paper or card,
clip it onto some backing-board to minimize buckling. The surface will flatten
out once dry. Clean the brushes immediately afterwards as the paint dries
water-resistant.
If you are conducting a few rough acrylic sketches,
you can cut cost by purchasing a tin of good quality white emulsion paint from
a DIY store instead. A large tin will last years. Save the acrylic gesso for
the finished works.
Which Surface for Acrylic Painting
If you wish to render a highly-expressive artwork,
then coarse canvas will provide the ideal weave on which to allow the acrylic
paint to ‘skid’ over the surface. This might be ideal for impressionist-type
landscapes or sea studies. Cold pressed paper (or ‘Not’) can also be used, as
this type of watercolour paper has a pleasing rough texture.
Highly detailed acrylic paintings will require
smooth surfaces such as card or hot-pressed paper (or HP paper). You may
prepare hardboard by sanding the surface with fine glasspaper before applying a
thin coat of acrylic gesso. The gesso may ‘burr’ up once dry. Sand lightly and
apply another coat for an extra smooth surface. For a fine texture, you may
also used fine canvas.
Preparing Acrylic Art Boards for Art Class
Acrylic paints are a popular medium as they require
few associated mediums and are water-soluble. However, proper preparation of art
surfaces is needed before applying this paint. Many different types of supports
can be used for acrylic painting, including paper and wood. Although you may
paint straight onto these supports, I would size it beforehand. Acrylic gesso can
be used, but for quick sketches, a good-quality emulsion can be applied
instead.
Links to Related Art Topics
The Colour Theory
Cheap art boards
Avoid dirty colour mixes
Step by step guide on painting sunflowers
Links to Related Art Topics
The Colour Theory
Cheap art boards
Avoid dirty colour mixes
Step by step guide on painting sunflowers
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