How to Use Acrylic Paints

Tubes of acrylic paints and synthetic brushes.

Indoor and Outdoor Acrylics

​Acrylic paints are useful for indoor and outdoor arts and crafts projects. This paint is very versatile, water based, available in large containers, plastic tubes and plastic bottles, and very affordable. It is great for people who are allergic or sensitive to fumes and toxins associated with oil or petroleum based paints.

The main difference between water and oil is that oil will wear better and last longer. Your choice of paint depends on the project and your allergic reactions. The argument for the different paints seems to be personal.

Examples:

• Latex vs oil for interior walls of a house
• Acrylic or oil for painting autos
• Acrylic resin and acrylic enamel or oil base for indoor and outdoor arts and crafts projects.

When I first started to paint with acrylics I did what is typical of painting. I bought the student grade acrylics and recommended tablet paper, made sketches of portraits or landscaping and started painting. However, as you gain knowledge and confidence of painting with acrylics many projects come to mind and you wonder if acrylics can be used.

Types of Acrylics

1. ​Ink Acrylics: fluid consistency and used for pen and ink drawings and other fine detailed work.
2. Soft body Acrylics: light transparent effects.
3. Thick Body Acrylics: similar to the thickness of oil paints.
4. Student Grade: Bargain priced for students practicing their techniques or for hobbyists.
5. Professional Grade: Contains more pigment which makes it more expensive and is preferred by professional artists.

Any surface will receive acrylics. All types of paper products, wood, metal, clay, concrete, and textiles. If the surface appears in our physical world it can be painted.

Practice and experiment with different types and brands of these tints. You will discover your favorites for the different art and craft projects you are creating. These paints may be used alone or mix and match.  

​Limitations:

1. Thinning with too much water will damage the outcome. Too much water removes the bonding agent which holds the pigments together.
2. Acrylics are sensitive to heat, light, and moisture. Use various mediums, sealants, and primers to strengthen, add quality, protect from heat, moisture, mold, mildew, and dust and dirt, These additives may be purchased or made in your home or shop. There are many recipes available online.

Benefits of Primers, Mediums, and Sealants

1. ​Primers are used to create adhesion and uniformity. This should always be done to produce a quality product.
2. Mediums are available for adding more or less shine to the pigment, strengthen bonding agents particularly in water coloring, slow down or speed up drying times, and add texture to paints.​
3. Sealants help to fix porous surfaces by sealing the surface of the protect protecting the art or craft project from environmental invaders. Makes for easier cleaning.

Read more about painting with acrylics at https://hubpages.com/art/Acrylic-Arts-and-Crafts-Paint-Projects.

Read about other hobbies and interests