Paintings By An Acrylic Paint Artist

By Karina Frost


Acrylics are now being used by many artists although there was some prejudice against using them rather than oils for a while. They have certain qualities that artists appreciate such as the fact that they dry so quickly. This means they do not have to wait so long to apply a second layer of paint. These paints are also very versatile and can be used in many different ways by an acrylic paint artist.

Acrylics were not originally created for artists but for painting houses. However, artists soon became aware of their interesting qualities and began using them. This caused manufacturers to make changes to their products. Over the years, the quality of these paints has improved dramatically. This has given artists the opportunity of using an amazing array of colors to paint with greater tonality and richness.

Artists use these paints on many different surfaces today. They are most commonly applied to stretched paper or canvas but other surfaces like glass, stone and wood are also being used. Just about any non shiny surface is suitable and artists love to experiment, offering up some interesting results.

Some painters using acrylics are more traditional in their approach while others create modern, abstract works. Every possible type of subject matter is covered. The paints are so versatile that they are suitable for multiple styles. Like watercolors, they can be mixed with water and applied in thin glazes. Like oils, they can be applied thickly. Some artists even apply them straight from the tube.

One of the major advantages that artists appreciate is the fact that they dry so quickly. This means that they do not have to wait long after applying a first layer before going on to the next and a painting can be produced at a much faster rate. Today various retarders are available that can be used to slow down the time of drying if this is required for certain techniques like blending.

Many different techniques and methods are possible with acrylics as they are extremely versatile. Artists use different brushes and other tools to create the effect they are looking for. A sponge is often used to create an irregular pattern. Using a stiff, brittle brush and dabbing on the paint adds depth and texture. A small, pointed brush is suitable for adding detail and creating more definition.

There are many different brands of acrylics on the market today, offering artists the opportunity of using ones particularly suited to their style. Some are thicker and more buttery while others are more fluid. Some offer more saturated, intense colors. There are those that are very slow drying and others that are much quicker. All of these paints last well and do not crack, fade or yellow with age.

Although the medium of acrylics has gained wide acceptance today, there are still some galleries who will still only sell oils or watercolors. However, many artists have benefited from using these versatile paints. They make a living selling their paintings at galleries, particularly those found online. The availability and accessibility of these works has resulted in them reaching a far wider audience than ever before. Acrylic artists abound and although the quality of paintings being produced varies, some of them are of an extremely high standard.




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