22 Fascinating Facts About Art and Acrylic Painting Techniques

Here are 22 captivating facts about art history, acrylic painting, and techniques to inspire your next masterpiece and enrich your knowledge of the art world.

1. Acrylic Paint Works on Almost Any Surface

Acrylic paint is incredibly versatile and can be used on canvas, wood, paper, fabric, glass, and even metal surfaces. It’s perfect for artists looking to experiment with different textures and materials.

2. The Origins of Impressionism Were an “Insult”

The term “Impressionism” originated from Claude Monet’s painting Impression, Sunrise. Critics intended the term as an insult, but the artists of the movement embraced it, sparking a revolutionary approach to art.

3. The Human Eye Sees a World of Colour

The human eye can distinguish about 10 million different colours, though many of these differences are incredibly subtle. This ability adds depth and nuance to how we perceive and appreciate art.

4. Michelangelo Painted the Sistine Chapel Standing Up

Michelangelo took around four years to paint the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling, and he did it all while standing, which added physical endurance to his artistic accomplishment.

5. Acrylic Paint Dries Through Polymerisation

Acrylic paint dries by polymerisation, a process in which the water evaporates, leaving behind a plastic-like film. This quick-drying quality makes acrylics perfect for layering and detail work.

6. Colour Theory Goes Back to Isaac Newton

Colour theory can be traced back to Sir Isaac Newton, who created the first colour wheel in 1704 by using a prism to split white light into its constituent colours.

7. Leonardo da Vinci Perfected Light and Shadow

Leonardo da Vinci was fascinated by light and shadow, and his intense study led to his mastery of chiaroscuro, the dramatic contrast of light and dark in paintings.

8. Pencil and Charcoal: The Fastest Mediums in Art

Pencil and charcoal are considered the fastest mediums in visual arts because they allow artists to create expressive lines and shades with just a quick stroke.

9. Acrylic Paint Can Mimic Watercolour or Oil

Acrylic paint can be thinned with water to mimic watercolour or thickened with mediums to create textures similar to oil paints, making it one of the most versatile mediums in art.

10. The Golden Ratio is Key to Balance in Art

The Golden Ratio, approximately 1:1.618, is often used in art and design to create balanced, pleasing compositions. It has been a fundamental design principle since ancient times.

11. Indigenous Australian Art is Among the World’s Oldest

Indigenous Australian art is one of the oldest art traditions, with rock paintings dating back at least 40,000 years, highlighting a long-standing cultural expression.

12. Underpainting Sets the Foundation for Colour

Some artists use underpainting—a monochrome layer beneath the final painting—to establish values and shapes. It acts as a foundation, guiding the artist through the next layers of colour.

13. Andy Warhol Popularised Screen Printing in the 1960s

Andy Warhol began using screen printing in 1960, and it became his signature technique. This process allowed him to create multiples of his famous pop art pieces, like Marilyn Monroe and Campbell’s Soup Cans.

14. The World’s Largest Canvas Painting Measures 17,000 Square Feet

In 2021, artist Sacha Jafri created The Journey of Humanity, the world’s largest canvas painting, covering over 17,000 square feet—a true marvel in scale and creativity.

15. Picasso Started Young

Pablo Picasso could reportedly draw before he could walk and completed his first painting at the age of nine, foreshadowing his eventual impact on modern art.

16. “Plein Air” Painting is About Embracing Nature

Plein air painting, or painting outdoors, became especially popular during the Impressionist movement. It encourages artists to capture light, colour, and atmosphere in natural settings.

17. Seeing Everything in the Louvre Would Take 100 Days

The Louvre Museum in Paris is so massive that if you spent 30 seconds looking at each piece of art, it would take about 100 days to see everything. It’s truly a treasure trove of world art!

18. Acrylic Paint Became Water-Soluble in the 1950s

Water-soluble acrylic paint was invented in the 1950s, changing the way artists approached painting by offering a quick-drying, easy-to-clean medium.

19. Van Gogh Only Sold One Painting in His Lifetime

Despite creating over 2,000 artworks, Vincent van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime, The Red Vineyard. Today, he is celebrated as one of the most influential artists of all time.

20. Oil Paint Takes Much Longer to Dry Than Acrylics

While acrylic paint can dry in minutes or hours, depending on thickness, oil paint can take months—or even years—for a single layer to dry completely. This difference allows artists to choose the medium that best suits their style and patience level.

21. Acrylics Can Create 3D Effects with Impasto Techniques

Impasto is a technique in which thick layers of paint are applied to create texture. Using heavy-body acrylics or mixing with gel medium, artists can build up 3D effects that make their work truly stand out.

22. Art Restores Focus and Reduces Stress

Studies show that creating art, especially with mediums like acrylics that offer vibrant colour and fluid expression, can improve mental health by restoring focus, reducing stress, and enhancing overall well-being.

Final Thoughts

These facts reveal just a fraction of the fascinating world of art and acrylic painting. From historical insights to fun technical tidbits, understanding these elements can deepen your appreciation and inspire you in your own artistic journey. Art truly has a way of connecting us to history, science, and creativity all at once.

Until next time, Keep splashing colours!
Penny 😊🎨✨