Acrylic Paint: What Is It, History, & Uses
“Often a key part of my mixed media paintings, acrylic gives me the opportunity to add layers of texture, depth, and rich color. Since acrylic dries fast, it offers a challenge to work swiftly in the moment.” -Edna Pines
Acrylic paints offer a dynamic range of colors, controllable texture, and durability, all with a lower price tag than most oil paints. Although acrylic paints are a relatively modern invention, they’ve quickly become mainstays of the art world, used everywhere, from preschool classrooms to museum-quality works of art.
What Is Acrylic Paint?
Acrylic paint consists of pigment suspended in an acrylic emulsion. Traditional acrylic paints are fast-drying and water-based. They turn water-resistant when they dry.
All acrylic paint consists of three main components: water, pigment, and emulsion. However, they can also include other materials, such as a dispersant to keep the paint from separating, buffers to keep it stable, preservatives, thickeners, and elements that assist with drying.
When Was Acrylic Paint Invented?
Acrylic paint was initially developed in Germany by Otto Röhm. Röhm first invented acrylic resin in 1934, which he then transformed into acrylic paint. The new paint’s first use was as a house paint, but then in the 1950s, artists began experimenting with it after discovering its brilliant colors and ability to dry quickly.
What to Consider When Buying Acrylic Paint
Many brands and styles of acrylic paint exist, and determining the ideal option for your needs can be overwhelming. Factors to consider when purchasing acrylic paint include the following:
Quality
Acrylic paints come in two primary grades: artist quality and student quality. Artist (professional) acrylic paints have a higher concentration of pigment and often have higher permanence ratings and a smoother consistency, making them easier to blend or layer.
Student acrylic paints have lower pigment levels and may include fillers that make the color less vibrant. However, student-quality acrylics tend to be significantly less expensive, making them ideal for beginners or underpainting.
Color
Acrylic paints come in a staggering number of colors. An acrylic paint set offers a good starting point for providing a wide range of colors. Otherwise, a selection of primary colors and neutrals offers many mixing options.
Certain pigments are more expensive than others, so artist-quality paints may be more or less expensive, depending on the color.
Uses
One of the reasons acrylic paint is so popular is its versatility. Unlike watercolors or oils, acrylics work on numerous surfaces, including:
Canvas
Metal
Plastic
Paper
Wood
Fabric
Glass
Cement
Depending on the surface you plan to paint, you can adjust the thickness of the paint to meet your needs. Heavy body acrylics are thicker, with a spreadable consistency that works well for blending and mixing.
In contrast, fluid acrylics have the same pigment concentration but are thinner, making them better suited for staining or detail painting. Additionally, several types of acrylic medium can change the paint’s texture and thickness to meet your needs.