| Acrylic Painting has become extremely popular | | | | learn to paint using the One Stroke method which |
| today with artists and crafts men and women all | | | | she developed and which is so popular today. For |
| over the world. No longer do we have to worry | | | | those hesitant to try free-hand painting, stencils |
| about odors and allergies to solvents, so common | | | | for all subjects and designs are available in various |
| to oil painting. Another advantage of painting with | | | | sizes, from very small to very large. Want to |
| acrylics is their versatility of use and their | | | | paint a mural on your wall? Use stencils and acrylic |
| relatively quick drying time (often just a few | | | | paint. |
| minutes.) However if a longer drying time is | | | | When using acrylic paints, there are several points |
| needed in specific cases, a medium for use with | | | | to keep in mind. These paints consist of pigment |
| acrylic paints has been developed. Thus, acrylic | | | | suspended in an acrylic polymer binder to which |
| painting is often considered a much more desirable | | | | water has been added. They are available in tubes |
| method of painting. | | | | and jars. The tube paint, as you probably know, is |
| Acrylic paints are not to be used just for art | | | | much thicker and can be used directly from the |
| canvas. Special acrylic paints have been developed | | | | tube or diluted with water. Acrylic paint in jars has |
| for a variety of uses. For instance, one can now | | | | already been diluted to a 'flowing' consistency. |
| buy paints specifically for use on fabrics, totally | | | | Both are suitable paints and dry to a smooth, |
| washable and durable, giving one the option to add | | | | shiny finish. This is no surprise as acrylic paint is |
| real flair to an otherwise plain piece of clothing. If | | | | just that - acrylic, or more commonly, plastic. |
| one is involved with Scrapbooking and Card | | | | Because acrylic paints are water-based, clean up |
| Making, why not add a personal touch to your | | | | is fairly easy. Soap and water is used, NOT |
| project with acrylic paint for paper? If you want | | | | turpentine or other paint thinners, but this must |
| to brighten up your kitchen and dining table, | | | | be done before the paint dries. Synthetic brushes |
| consider new acrylic paints for glass and china. | | | | are generally used as the alkaline in the paint is |
| This paint allows us to turn an ordinary piece of | | | | hard on brushes made from natural hair. You can |
| glass ware into an elegant and expensive-looking | | | | ruin an expensive brush in a hurry if care is not |
| personal accomplishment. An added benefit is that | | | | taken. Brushes must be kept moist or cleaned |
| this paint, when allowed to dry properly, will stay | | | | immediately. Since, as mentioned before, these |
| beautiful through many dishwasher cycles when | | | | paints contain acrylics, despite the fact that they |
| loaded on the top rack. However, please be | | | | are water-based, once dry they are extremely |
| aware that this acrylic paint must not be applied in | | | | hard, if not impossible, to remove. |
| an area which touches the mouth or food. | | | | When we consider acrylic painting, regardless of |
| Learning acrylic painting is not as daunting as it | | | | the surface to be painted, whether on canvas, |
| may seem. Many acrylic artists and instructors | | | | wood, plaster, cement, wax candles, fabric, paper |
| have developed their own methods, tools, | | | | - you name it - indoors or out, there is a specific |
| instructions and techniques. Donna Dewberry says | | | | acrylic paint suitable for that specific purpose. |
| that any one who can draw a stick figure can | | | | |