One of the least hazardous and most adaptable mediums is acrylic, hence its popularity among new and seasoned artists. When wet, it is water-soluble, but when it dries, it turns into a flexible and water-resistant layer. It also allows for the addition of layers of paint without disrupting the underlying layers. Since it also dries quickly, an artist can work in several successive layers without the colours becoming muddy.
Acrylic comes in various packaging
Acrylic is available in different packaging options depending on your preference and requirement. It comes in tubes, jars, squeeze bottles made of plastic, and miniature ink bottles. It also comes in a range of varying thicknesses but whatever packaging option you prefer, make sure the paint is properly sealed to prevent drying out.
Acrylic can be thinned
Acrylic can be used like watercolour by thinning it with water and other liquids. When mixed with water or any liquid, you need to make sure that you are adding the correct amount because no matter how quality acrylic paint that you use, it will still begin to spread and break down if you add too much water, leaving tiny specks of colour in your paint.
Fortunately, since acrylic is easier to manage and flexible, you could opt for liquid acrylic ink if you want a highly fluid medium. For glazing and thinning, you can also add particular mediums, like a flow medium which will help thin out the paint if this is the viscousness that you are looking for.
Acrylic has the advantages of oil without the disadvantages
In many aspects, acrylic is almost similar to oil paint which makes the transition of oil painters to acrylic easier. Acrylics are recognized for their vivid hues, many of them are identical to those found in oil and can be applied in ways that make them appear to be oil paints.
Depending on how they were used, the end results of acrylic is sometimes mistaken as oil because of their similarity. Additionally, there are media that can thicken the paint and delay the aging process so that it can be worked with similarly to oil paint but without the difficulty of using the medium and the price since acrylic is cheaper to use, store and maintain than oil.
Acrylic is flexible and adaptable
Acrylic can be used in various surfaces aside from canvas. They are also perfect on paper, wood, fabric, concrete, brick and any other surface that is not overly glossy or oily. Additionally, the surface does not need to be primed before painting since acrylic would not harm the surface.
However, it is still best to check if the surface is porous. If it is, the surface must be coated with a primer first to help the acrylic glide on more smoothly. If the surface is glass or metal, prime it also in advance before painting with acrylic.
Acrylic is also preferred when using for collage, crafts and other mixed media because of its adaptability, toughness, adhesive properties, and low toxicity.
