Painters Online

Start Art 5 55 www.painters-online.co.uk QUICK acrylics RT START A crylics are an odourless, quick- drying flexible medium that can mimic both watercolour and oil colours. They also have some unique qualities of their own. The opacity of acrylic pigments enables the artist to cover or rectify mistakes, making them ideal for beginners; they can be applied with brushes or a painting knife; they can be used on a multitude of surfaces; they dry fast so that a quick succession of washes and layers can be applied easily; and while water is perfect for diluting them, there is also a whole range of mediums and additives that can modify them. Acrylic colours Acrylic colours come in different consistencies; the one you select will depend upon your individual style and subject matter. The various types can intermix, giving you a further range of choice. Within the categories below, the consistency varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, as do the colours, even if the name may be the same. Soft body Otherwise known as flow formula, this paint is heavier than acrylic ink but has a runny consistency and is more suitable for the watercolourist. It can be thickened by using impasto gel. An example is Daler- Rowney System 3 colours, available in tubes and larger pots. Heavy body These colours, such as the Daler-Rowney Cryla range, are more full-bodied and can be thinned to use in watercolour style or applied thick like oil paints. However, you would still need to thicken them further for heavily textured styles. Ideal for beginners, you can use this medium like watercolour or in thicker applications. Soraya French introduces their advantages and tells you all you need to know to get started… short flat No. 12 acrylic brush for covering larger areas and a selection of smaller round brushes and flat brushes will suit most artists. Riggers in both the watercolour and acrylic range will also be useful. Palettes Acrylic paints dry to a plastic film, so it is important to keep them wet during a painting session. A stay-wet palette comprises a tray, two layers of paper (absorbent and tissue) and a lid. Both layers should be dampened to make a surface to mix paints on. You can also spray the paints from time to time to keep them workable during a painting session. Super heavy body Formulated to create heavy textures and to retain brushstrokes, these acrylics have a more buttery consistency, but can still be thinned down if you need to glaze with them. The Daler-Rowney System 3D range comes in large tubes. Brushes Invest in a set of good-quality synthetic watercolour and acrylic brushes, the former to use with the inks and the latter, which have stiffer hair, for the opaque techniques. The size of your brushes depends on the size of your paintings, but a 1 in. (2.5cm) one-stroke wash brush, a Soft body, heavy body and super heavy body acrylic paints give the artist varying consistencies to work with With a damp surface to mix colours on and a lid to keep the moisture in, a stay-wet palette helps keep the paints workable for a longer period