Compared to other painting mediums, such as oil and watercolor, acrylic paint is a baby. Originally used as housepaint, Mexcian muralists began experimenting with it in the 1930’s. Then came the WPA artists in the 1940’s. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that acrylic paint became commercial available to artists.
What are the advantages of using acrylic paint?
- it dries quickly
- it will adhere to any surface
- no base coat is needed
- it dries with even luster – if the paint is applied evenly, there are no shiny or dull spots
This new type of paint offered the artworld endless possibilities. It can produce the soft effects of watercolor, as well as the layered effects of oil. The artists that embraced this new paint began experimenting and thereby created new approaches that hadn’t been possible before.
ARTISTS WHO USE ACRYLIC PAINT
Click on the links to the artists above and see what they achieved with acrylic paint.
Acrylic paint is continuing to have a tremendous impact on the world of art. Can you think of any more advantages of using acrylic paint?
City in the Mist
Acrylic and Collage on Canvas
vickiemartinarts@comcast.net