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The Fast, Fun, and Friendly Medium

Most artists remember the emergence of acrylic paints onto the art scene as occurring in the 1960's or 1970's. That may have been when they caught everyone's eye and piqued their interest, but, remarkably, acrylics were first discovered in 1859. They were not produced commercially until 1928 and have undergone many changes since they were first manufactured.

The composition of acrylics, while it may seem complicated chemically, can be explained in pretty simple terms. The primary ingredient in the paint is the base into which the pigments are placed. This base is a type of polymer (something like plastic) product. As the fluid in the base evaporates, the pigments and the base bond into a permanent, somewhat elastic material that is remarkably sturdy. It can withstand limited direct exposure to the elements and can be painted on almost any porous material.

From its development in 1859, the early pioneers of acrylic paint faced many complex challenges. We, fortunately, do not need to reach the technical understanding of the complexities to enjoy and appreciate the wonder of acrylics. All we have to do is buy a tube or jar of "wonder color" and begin to paint.

Among all the advantages of acrylic paints, ease of use is one of the most apparent. Acrylics do not require the detailed and quite formidable techniques and materials that are necessary with other media. From preparing surfaces, laying colors over colors, estimating pigment drying times, and chemical and solvent exposure to ease of clean up, acrylic paints are a world apart from oils or watercolor. Acrylics are ready to use - immediately. This ease of use has enabled artists to extend the range of artistic effects: From thin stains to tremendous impasto, from the look of watercolor to that of oil, from super gloss to dead matte, acrylics offer an open door to creativity and experimentation. Acrylics can be the most versatile and easy to use of all painting media.

The nature of acrylic paints is such that virtually every element of use can be controlled. Within a short time of start-up, artists can easily manipulate surface gloss, texture, transparency, opacity, viscosity, flexibility and drying time. It is important to indicate that each acrylic color maintains its own level of matte or luster. Each is formulated to offer the best qualities for the given color. To insure a uniform matte surface, satin sheen or high gloss, a finish coat applied over the completed work is recommended, but not necessary.

Another interesting quality of acrylic colors is that in most artists' grade paints, all you see is pure pigment--no extenders, opacifiers or fillers. The degree of matte or gloss is directly correlated to the amount of pigment used. That leaves the artist in charge of adding filler to comply with his/her need at any given point. Matte and gloss materials can be added to adjust the sheen of any acrylic color. Mediums, gels and varnishes are a few of the materials that can alter or adjust the degree of sheen.

Drying time is related to the evaporation rate of water, which is affected by temperature/humidity and the rate of air current over the surface. To slow the drying process, retarding gels and mediums can effectively extend the window of time available for working. This is especially important to artists who enjoy on-canvas blending of colors or for those who like to work "wet-on-wet." This technique is best achieved by working paint into a thick layer of gel medium. The gel adds essential moisture to the surface and slows the absorption. Paint dries rapidly on the canvas and the palette as well. Retarding agents and gels can help in slowing the drying on both.

Acrylics appear to dry darker than when they are first applied, but this is not actually the case. It is, instead, the binder (acrylic polymer) that clears as the drying process completes. The milky white look of mediums and gels, when wet, disappears when dry. This gives the illusion of the paint darkening as it dries.

Acrylics are about the most durable materials available. The question about expected life has been tested repeatedly in laboratory-controlled exposures to heat and light. Acrylics do not exhibit the same changes as oils, leading experts to guess that the life of acrylics is far greater than the materials that were used for centuries before their discovery.

In summary, if you are looking for a rapid drying, opaque or semi-opaque medium, with which you can create any color or texture, that is extremely durable, cleans up with soap and water, will adhere to virtually any porous surface, and can be augmented with many foreign materials for personal texture applications, you must try acrylic paints. They offer more than you could imagine.

Tip: If you must leave your palette for more than a few moments, try covering the paint with a lightly dampened paper towel. If the separation is for more than 20 minutes, seal the palette in an airtight container, with the dampened paper towel over the paint. Some artists use atomizers to mist the palette during their painting process.