So take a bit of organic material, make a type of polymer or plastic , mix with some pigment and boom : Acrylic Paint.
This paint is probably one of the best original media’s for beginner artists. Depending on the amount of dilution. You can get any finish on almost any surface there is.
Wanna experiment with watercolor? Add water …a lot of it.
Wanna experiment with oil paint? Keep it as is and enjoy faster drying times with dimension. Or,
Perhaps you want some effects, there’s metallic acrylic paint. Shimmery acrylic paint . Crackling, colors-shifting, satin finish, matte acrylic paints.? Or maybe you pride yourself on other crafts. Add it as a colorant for clays . Or add glitters and sands for texture because…they’ll stick. {okay, you can use almost any paint like that.}
But essentially, acrylic paint is a a one stop shop for those who are beginners, on a budget or who simply love that process of creating.
Cons .:
There is one con, it is surface sensitive. You can use it on almost any surface with decent opaque-ness. However, because it is a sort of plastic; non-porous surfaces will make the paint easily peel able. {think satisfying videos of people peeling paint off their paint trays.} just something to think about.
Besides messiness, everything that is does can be used for great art.
Just to add some details before you consider buying…here’s some important factors to consider
Texture .:
Typically smooth. Easily spread . Some paints; depending on brand; are thicker than others. The ones in regular squeeze bottles have a tendency to be less thicker than the paints in tottle bottles {the ones that are usually hanging}.
Effects .:
You can find a range of effects with acrylic paint, but for the most part it dries hard but pliable {if you like thick coats}.
Some drying effect names to look out for : Gloss . Super Gloss . Satin Finish {think, wicker chairs} . Matte {dry} . Crackle {gives an old and distressed look} . Metallic . Shimmer or Glittery . Color shifting . Outdoor {water and weather resistant} . Chalky {chalkboard-like finish}, etc.
Pigment Strength {wet/dry} .:
Consider that, some paints can become darker with drying and lose color over time .
Depending on the brand, the color strength may vary.
Price .:
The price range for acrylic paints vary brand to brand . A good estimate would be 50¢ - $50.00.
Best Surfaces .:
The best surfaces for acrylic paint is probably a regular canvas . But you can paint on cardboard, laminated furniture, glass, plastic, paper, etc. Depending on how thick the paint is, you may need multiple coats for different surfaces.
Best application method .:
The best way to use acrylic paint is with regular brushes. No need to get fancy . You can also use fingers, sponges, sticks, paper of whatever else you see fit.
A quick tip to make blending and spreading easier . Wet you brush.
Blendability .:
With a good brush, the blending power of acrylic paints is very good. May take a while, especially if you dislike brush strokes. Experiment with different dilutions, application thickness or coats and brushes for the best type of finish you want. In my own experience, allowing the paint to cover the brush very well gets rid of any leftover brush lines, also makes blending a lot easier.
Try It Links .:
I serve the aspiring and budget-friendly artist . Keep this in mind. You won’t find every kind of paint there is, but you will get decent start-up recommendations.
For the sake of investing in KMeAmI , some links are affiliate links; which means we may earn a small commission when used.
Apple Barrel Assorted Colors - You can find these at almost any store and they are so easy to use.
Mont Marte Acrylic Paint Set - Great to start with, considered NOT low quality considering the price.
GOLDEN Heavy Body Acrylic Intro Set - I chose this kind specifically because it has a much thicker consistency; which is really great to experiment with for a variety of techniques and surfaces.
