10 Myths About Acrylic Painting Debunked
Acrylic painting has become one of the most popular mediums for artists, but it’s also surrounded by a few myths and misconceptions. Let’s dive in and set the record straight on 10 common myths about acrylics, so you can embrace this medium to its fullest!
1. Myth: Acrylic Paints Are Lower Quality Than Oils
Truth: Acrylic paints offer excellent quality, especially when using professional-grade products. With advancements in pigment quality and binder technology, modern acrylics have rich, vibrant colours that rival oils in durability and richness.
Penny’s Tip: Choose artist-grade acrylics to ensure high pigment concentration and longevity in your artwork.
2. Myth: Acrylics Dry Too Fast to Work With
Truth: While acrylics do dry faster than oils, this can be an advantage for layering and adjusting quickly. Plus, using a slow-drying medium can help extend working time, making acrylics more flexible.
Penny’s Tip: Keep a spray bottle handy to mist your palette and extend drying time. Or, try a stay-wet palette for even longer working time!
3. Myth: Acrylic Paintings Aren’t as Durable
Truth: When applied properly, acrylic paintings are highly durable and can last for decades. Acrylic paint forms a strong, flexible plastic film that resists yellowing and cracking over time.
Penny’s Tip: Always use a varnish to protect your painting from dust and UV light, which helps extend its life and enhances colour vibrancy.
4. Myth: Acrylic Colours Aren’t as Vibrant as Oils
Truth: Acrylic paints can be just as vibrant, and sometimes even more so, than oils. Many acrylic colours retain their brightness after drying, and pigments like Quinacridone Magenta or Phthalo Blue offer intense saturation.
Penny’s Tip: Experiment with acrylic gels and mediums to intensify colours and add translucency for richer layering effects.
5. Myth: You Can’t Achieve Blending in Acrylics
Truth: Acrylics may dry quickly, but that doesn’t mean blending is impossible. With techniques like wet-on-wet blending, glazing, or using a retarder medium, you can achieve smooth transitions and soft effects.
Penny’s Tip: Try “optical blending” by layering close-value colours next to each other, allowing the eye to blend them for a natural, seamless look.
6. Myth: You Can’t Get a Matte Finish with Acrylics
Truth: Acrylic paint is naturally glossy, but you can easily adjust the finish with a matte or satin medium. These mediums offer versatility, allowing you to customize your painting’s final appearance.
Penny’s Tip: For consistent results, mix a matte medium directly into your paint or apply a matte varnish once the painting is complete.
7. Myth: Acrylics are Just for Beginners
Truth: Acrylics are incredibly versatile and are used by artists at all skill levels, from beginners to professionals. They offer a wide range of techniques, from washes and glazes to impasto and textured layers, making them suitable for any artist.
Penny’s Tip: Try out advanced techniques like negative painting, glazing, or using heavy gel mediums to explore the full potential of acrylics.
8. Myth: Acrylics Can Only Be Used on Canvas
Truth: Acrylics adhere well to various surfaces, including wood, paper, fabric, glass, and even metal. This flexibility makes them ideal for artists who enjoy experimenting with different materials and textures.
Penny’s Tip: Prime surfaces like wood or metal with gesso or a primer before applying acrylics for a smoother, longer-lasting finish.
9. Myth: Acrylics Aren’t as Good for Texture as Oils
Truth: Acrylics can create incredible textures with the use of thick, heavy-body paints and texture mediums like gel or modeling paste. In fact, because acrylics dry faster, you can build layers and textures quickly without waiting long drying times.
Penny’s Tip: Use a palette knife, sponge, or even household items like forks or combs to create unique textures in acrylic paint!
10. Myth: Acrylic Paint Can’t Be Used for Realism
Truth: Acrylics are perfect for both abstract and realistic styles, and their versatility allows artists to create highly detailed, realistic paintings. Techniques like glazing, fine brushwork, and controlled layering can achieve realistic effects.
Penny’s Tip: Use fluid acrylics for fine detail work and glazing techniques. A limited palette and careful attention to value can help bring realism to life in acrylic paintings.
Final Thoughts
Acrylic painting is a medium filled with possibilities, and busting these myths helps open doors to creativity and experimentation. By understanding the truth behind these misconceptions, you can embrace acrylics for their unique qualities, versatility, and dynamic potential.
Until next time, Keep splashing colours!
Penny 😊🎨✨
