All the techniques you need to know for using acrylic colors

What are acrylic colors?

Acrylic colors are plastic industrial colors that are quick to dry. which need special skill to mix and adjust on the palette. They have become very popular recently.

Characteristics of acrylic colors

Acrylic colors are the most important colors that artists use in their work. Acrylic colors help you to be creative. The artists rated the acrylic colors as excellent and not yellowing as oil colors over time. Besides, we used them inside and outside buildings because they do not change over time. We put turpentine to thin them and use as traditional oil paint. Acrylic colors become water- resistant after drying.

Students can use acrylic colors at school. Because they can rinse away any stain with water and they do not have to use any chemicals.

The acrylic colors are clear, glamorous and long-lasting. You can mix the colors together and create a new color.

Acrylic colors are insoluble. You can paint on top without fear of damaging the previous layer.

The surfaces you can color with acrylic

Acrylic colors are ideal to apply on several materials like wood, paper, metal, and canvas.

You can use these colors on cardboard. But before coloring, you should pull it from the edges so that it does not rip off.

You should clean the wood before you start coloring, and apply a thin layer of acrylic.

So it takes minutes to dry.

We use acrylic in coloring walls because it resists air and humidity. This feature makes it better than the oil colors.

The type of brushes you can use

You can use the same brushes, which you use for oil paint. When you want to thin the acrylic with water, you can use the watercolor brush.

Grades

There are two grades of acrylic colors. The first one is artist acrylic.

The second is student acrylic.

Tips

– Use plastic tools, because you can remove dry paint from them easier than wood tools.

– Acrylics dry out in 15-30 minutes. So put little quantity of color on the palette. to prevent expensive waste you should start with small doses and add later as needed.

-Take your brush and moist it with clean water. Mix the color and some water together with the brush. Don’t use more than 25% of water to dilute the color.

Too much moisture leads to a loss of color, its cohesion and its ability to adhere to the painting.

-Put a spray bottle next to you to put a simple layer of water from time to time on the color to keep it wet.

Keep some absorbent paper handy to dab the brush when you’re ready to paint.

And, Keep paper or cloth napkins next to the water bottle. After cleaning the brush with water, use cloth or paper napkins to rinse excess water. This protects the handle brush and plate of water droplets.

– Test the consistency of the paint on a piece of scrap cloth or any surface before coloring. To make sure it has the characteristics you are looking for.

– Add chalk to the mixture of water and color to improve the bonding power between the surface and the acrylic.

– Use adhesive tape to make strong and sharp borders. It’s easy to place and remove on dry acrylic without damaging the previous layer

Install the adhesive very well and don’t put a lot of paint on the border. You will not get a clean line when you remove it.

– Clean all the brushes and the tools to be ready for the next use.

The Artist’s Studio: How to Take care of your Paint Brushes

There’s simply no better feeling the first moment you pull a new, clean paintbrush out of the pile ready to get started with your artwork. Painting can be exciting and fun since there’s no limit to what you can create as an artist. Whether you just bought a new paintbrush for your energetic and creative kids or it’s for your daily artistic work, wouldn’t it be amazing to care for your brushes and keep them in this good of shape? Of course, that’s what everyone would want but most don’t know it takes regular care. So, how do you take care of your brushes and make sure you enjoy painting for as long as possible?

Clean your Paint Brushes Immediately After using them

It’s always exciting and fun to get hold of your paint brush and put your imagination on canvas. It’s not uncommon for artists to be caught up in this artistic moment that they forget and leave the dirty brushes sitting for hours as they proceed with their work. Leaving your brushes to sit with dirt often means getting ready to buy new ones, especially if painting with acrylics. It’s no different with oil brushes too. Neglecting your oil brushes and failure to thoroughly clean them will render them useless after a few painting sessions.

Focus on the Base of the Bristles

When paint residue settles and coats the base of the bristles, the brush tip begins to spread apart and within no time will lose its shape. Yes, cleaning the area around the ferrule isn’t easier in any way. However, you have to do your best to clean this area so you can maintain the shape of the brush at the top. Remember, when your brush no longer has the ability to hold its shape it becomes almost useless.

Cleaning your Brushes between Painting Sessions

Well, there are times when you’ll have to put your brushes away for a while during your painting session. It’s a good idea to rinse your brushes in mineral spirits or water. However, understand that this isn’t good enough and there’s need to shampoo into your brush bristles to the ferrule before rinsing thoroughly using cool water. This should be done until there’s trace of paint left.

Storing your Clean Brushes Horizontally or Vertically Head-side-up

First, avoid storing your brushes vertically in solvent as this can permanently misshape the bristles. It’s important that your brushes retain their original shape. Your brushes shouldn’t, therefore, be left stored in this position. Neither should you have them rest against the tips of other paint brushes. Always make sure your brushes are stored horizontally rolled in canvas sleeves or drawers or vertically with the head up. Don’t pack your brushes too tightly.

In conclusion, high quality paint brushes are worth the investment and need proper care to get the most use of it. Always rinse your paint brush often to avoid dry paint coating in the bristles. Developing good care habits for your paint brushes will ensure your high-quality bobby brushes last you a good long time.