By Jim Hingst
I
had stepped into an artist’s shop in New Orleans. What had attracted me were
the vibrant colors in his paintings. I had assumed that he must have used
acrylic paints.
had stepped into an artist’s shop in New Orleans. What had attracted me were
the vibrant colors in his paintings. I had assumed that he must have used
acrylic paints.
To
confirm my suspicions I questioned the artist, “Are you using acrylics?”
confirm my suspicions I questioned the artist, “Are you using acrylics?”
He
defensively replied, “What great artist has ever used acrylic paints?”
defensively replied, “What great artist has ever used acrylic paints?”
At
the time, none came to mind. Acrylic paints, which were developed after World
War II, do not have a long history. In the short time that these paints have
been sold, however, some notable artists have used them for their major works.
These include Thomas Hart Benton, Diego Rivera, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein,
David Hockney, Robert Motherwell, Barnett Newman and Mark Rothko. To be clear,
the New Orleans artist was not in the same league as the artists cited.
the time, none came to mind. Acrylic paints, which were developed after World
War II, do not have a long history. In the short time that these paints have
been sold, however, some notable artists have used them for their major works.
These include Thomas Hart Benton, Diego Rivera, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein,
David Hockney, Robert Motherwell, Barnett Newman and Mark Rothko. To be clear,
the New Orleans artist was not in the same league as the artists cited.
The
Advantages of Acrylic Paints.
Many
artists look down their noses at acrylic paints. You may be one of them. While you can’t blend
colors as easily with acrylics as you can with oil paints, acrylic paints
possess several advantages that oil paints don’t possess.
artists look down their noses at acrylic paints. You may be one of them. While you can’t blend
colors as easily with acrylics as you can with oil paints, acrylic paints
possess several advantages that oil paints don’t possess.
Oil
paints can take days to cure. Acrylic paints, on the other hand, dry fast, so
you can complete a painting much faster. If you need to slow down the drying,
you can spray the surface with water. New acrylic paints are also available
with longer open times.
paints can take days to cure. Acrylic paints, on the other hand, dry fast, so
you can complete a painting much faster. If you need to slow down the drying,
you can spray the surface with water. New acrylic paints are also available
with longer open times.
Although
many acrylic colors are overly bright or garish, you can purchase acrylic
colors which are indistinguishable from oil colors. In fact, the infamous art
forger John Myatt used acrylic and other emulsion paints to fake more than 200
artists, including Van Gogh, Matisse, Chagall and Picasso. His forgeries fooled
Christie's and other dealers and now hang on the walls of museums such as the
Tate.
many acrylic colors are overly bright or garish, you can purchase acrylic
colors which are indistinguishable from oil colors. In fact, the infamous art
forger John Myatt used acrylic and other emulsion paints to fake more than 200
artists, including Van Gogh, Matisse, Chagall and Picasso. His forgeries fooled
Christie's and other dealers and now hang on the walls of museums such as the
Tate.
In
addition, acrylic paints allow artists to paint on a variety of media,
including synthetic paper, cloth, leather, wood, aluminum composite panels and
canvas. Above all, acrylics are durable, as I will explain in this article. They
are also much safer to use than oil paints.
addition, acrylic paints allow artists to paint on a variety of media,
including synthetic paper, cloth, leather, wood, aluminum composite panels and
canvas. Above all, acrylics are durable, as I will explain in this article. They
are also much safer to use than oil paints.
Different
Paint Chemistry.
Paint
is primarily comprised of a resin or binder and pigment. From one type of paint
to another the pigment is basically the same. What differentiates paint systems
is the binder. Tempera uses egg yolk as a binder. Gouache, which is similar to
watercolor, uses gum arabic for its resin. Oil paint uses a drying oil, such as
linseed oil or walnut oil as its resin. Acrylic paints, on the other hand, use
an acrylic polymer emulsion as its resin or binder.
is primarily comprised of a resin or binder and pigment. From one type of paint
to another the pigment is basically the same. What differentiates paint systems
is the binder. Tempera uses egg yolk as a binder. Gouache, which is similar to
watercolor, uses gum arabic for its resin. Oil paint uses a drying oil, such as
linseed oil or walnut oil as its resin. Acrylic paints, on the other hand, use
an acrylic polymer emulsion as its resin or binder.
Another
difference is how the binder dries or cures. In oil painting, the oil resin
oxidizes after the paint is applied. As it does, shorter molecules polymerize,
forming longer molecular chains. After these longer polymer chains form, they
crosslink, in which the chains attach to one another. As the crosslinking process
continues over time, the paint film becomes more and more rigid and brittle. Under
stress, the brittle film can crack, which is a very common characteristic of
oil paintings.
difference is how the binder dries or cures. In oil painting, the oil resin
oxidizes after the paint is applied. As it does, shorter molecules polymerize,
forming longer molecular chains. After these longer polymer chains form, they
crosslink, in which the chains attach to one another. As the crosslinking process
continues over time, the paint film becomes more and more rigid and brittle. Under
stress, the brittle film can crack, which is a very common characteristic of
oil paintings.
In
comparison, acrylic paints, which are water-based, are comprised of long
molecular chains while the paint is still in the tube or jar. After the paint
is applied to the substrate, it forms a film as the water in the paint
evaporates. It undergoes very little crosslinking as the paint dries. Instead,
as acrylic paint forms a softer and more flexible film, the individual
molecular chains entangle and coalesce. While the acrylic film can harden over time,
the aging process is much slower than it is with oil paints.
comparison, acrylic paints, which are water-based, are comprised of long
molecular chains while the paint is still in the tube or jar. After the paint
is applied to the substrate, it forms a film as the water in the paint
evaporates. It undergoes very little crosslinking as the paint dries. Instead,
as acrylic paint forms a softer and more flexible film, the individual
molecular chains entangle and coalesce. While the acrylic film can harden over time,
the aging process is much slower than it is with oil paints.
The
durability of a film is in part affected by the crosslinking process over the
life of the film. However, it can also occur, if the long polymer chains break
apart. Several factors can affect this disintegration process. These include chemical
reactions between the pigments and the resin, especially if the pigment is
alkaline in nature; exposure to heat, humidity and ultraviolet light; and the
effects of oxidation and air pollution.
durability of a film is in part affected by the crosslinking process over the
life of the film. However, it can also occur, if the long polymer chains break
apart. Several factors can affect this disintegration process. These include chemical
reactions between the pigments and the resin, especially if the pigment is
alkaline in nature; exposure to heat, humidity and ultraviolet light; and the
effects of oxidation and air pollution.
Some
conservators believe that acrylic paints are less susceptible to environmental
stresses, if the painting is stored in a controlled environment, such as a
museum. Exposure to long periods of high heat accelerates the aging process and
should be avoided. Excessive cold, heat and humidity also affects the
durability of oil paintings.
conservators believe that acrylic paints are less susceptible to environmental
stresses, if the painting is stored in a controlled environment, such as a
museum. Exposure to long periods of high heat accelerates the aging process and
should be avoided. Excessive cold, heat and humidity also affects the
durability of oil paintings.
As
a word of caution, however, you should never subject acrylics to ambient
temperatures below 50°, while you are painting or for several days after
painting, while the paint continues to dry. If acrylics are exposed to low temperature,
the paint film may not properly form.
a word of caution, however, you should never subject acrylics to ambient
temperatures below 50°, while you are painting or for several days after
painting, while the paint continues to dry. If acrylics are exposed to low temperature,
the paint film may not properly form.
Accelerated
weathering tests, in which acrylic paints have been exposed to ultraviolet
light, extreme temperature and humidity, suggest that the acrylic polymer resin is much more durable than a
drying oil. However, keep in mind, that while these tests can provide
statistically reliable indication of how a product should perform, it cannot
guarantee how a product will actually perform in the real world. Based on test results, acrylic paintings
should survive many millennia in a museum environment.
weathering tests, in which acrylic paints have been exposed to ultraviolet
light, extreme temperature and humidity, suggest that the acrylic polymer resin is much more durable than a
drying oil. However, keep in mind, that while these tests can provide
statistically reliable indication of how a product should perform, it cannot
guarantee how a product will actually perform in the real world. Based on test results, acrylic paintings
should survive many millennia in a museum environment.
Most
artists are certainly aware that oil paints are prone to yellowing. Some drying
oils can yellow more than others. In addition to oxidation worsening yellowing,
exposure to some cleaning chemicals can exacerbate the problem. In comparison
to drying oils, acrylic polymer resin is relatively clear.
artists are certainly aware that oil paints are prone to yellowing. Some drying
oils can yellow more than others. In addition to oxidation worsening yellowing,
exposure to some cleaning chemicals can exacerbate the problem. In comparison
to drying oils, acrylic polymer resin is relatively clear.
What
might be viewed as a disadvantage of acrylic paint is that it tends to attract
dirt. As I had noted earlier, acrylics are much softer and more flexible than
oil paint films. The large acrylic molecules are also more porous. While these
features may provide acrylic films with greater durability, its surface more
readily traps dirt.
might be viewed as a disadvantage of acrylic paint is that it tends to attract
dirt. As I had noted earlier, acrylics are much softer and more flexible than
oil paint films. The large acrylic molecules are also more porous. While these
features may provide acrylic films with greater durability, its surface more
readily traps dirt.
You
will remember that acrylics are susceptible to many chemicals including some
cleaners. Varnishes may also be incompatible with the paint. One solution to
preventing dirt from adhering to an acrylic painting is to protect the painting
under museum glass. For those paintings not framed under glass, cleaning should
consist of wiping the surface with a damp, lint-free rag. Remember that the
porous surface of acrylic paint can not only trap dirt, but it can also trap
any cleaning chemicals that you may use. These chemicals, especially those that
are alkaline, can degrade the resin.
will remember that acrylics are susceptible to many chemicals including some
cleaners. Varnishes may also be incompatible with the paint. One solution to
preventing dirt from adhering to an acrylic painting is to protect the painting
under museum glass. For those paintings not framed under glass, cleaning should
consist of wiping the surface with a damp, lint-free rag. Remember that the
porous surface of acrylic paint can not only trap dirt, but it can also trap
any cleaning chemicals that you may use. These chemicals, especially those that
are alkaline, can degrade the resin.
The
chemistry of the pigment, as well as the properties of the additives and
fillers, can affect the appearance, adhesion and durability of the dried film. Some
of the additives that manufacturers add to acrylics are surfactants, which lower
the surface tension of a liquid, helping the paint to wet out on the substrate.
Over time, these surfactants can leach to the film’s surface, clouding the brilliance
of the paint’s colors. Wiping the painting down with a clean, damp cloth will
generally remove any surfactants without affecting the durability of the paint.
chemistry of the pigment, as well as the properties of the additives and
fillers, can affect the appearance, adhesion and durability of the dried film. Some
of the additives that manufacturers add to acrylics are surfactants, which lower
the surface tension of a liquid, helping the paint to wet out on the substrate.
Over time, these surfactants can leach to the film’s surface, clouding the brilliance
of the paint’s colors. Wiping the painting down with a clean, damp cloth will
generally remove any surfactants without affecting the durability of the paint.
Substrate
Preparation.
Proper
substrate preparation is critical in ensuring good adhesion to the support. In prepping
canvas for oil painting, coating the surface with rabbit skin glue and gesso is
required. When painting with acrylics, you don’t need to gesso the surface. In fact,
you don’t need to use canvas. Instead, aluminum composite panels, which you
have scuffed with sandpaper or a Scotch-Brite™ pad and coated with a primer
such as XIM UMA, should provide a much better support for your acrylic paintings.
substrate preparation is critical in ensuring good adhesion to the support. In prepping
canvas for oil painting, coating the surface with rabbit skin glue and gesso is
required. When painting with acrylics, you don’t need to gesso the surface. In fact,
you don’t need to use canvas. Instead, aluminum composite panels, which you
have scuffed with sandpaper or a Scotch-Brite™ pad and coated with a primer
such as XIM UMA, should provide a much better support for your acrylic paintings.
Lightfast
Colors.
Earlier
I noted that the types of pigments used in either oil paints or acrylic paints
are basically the same. While acrylic
polymer resins promise remarkable longevity, lightfastness depends on the
pigments used in the paint. For this reason, when selecting a tube of paint,
only buy those colors with a lightfast rating of either I or II. This same
recommendation also holds true when buying oil paints.
I noted that the types of pigments used in either oil paints or acrylic paints
are basically the same. While acrylic
polymer resins promise remarkable longevity, lightfastness depends on the
pigments used in the paint. For this reason, when selecting a tube of paint,
only buy those colors with a lightfast rating of either I or II. This same
recommendation also holds true when buying oil paints.
My
final bit of advice is to buy from a reputable manufacturer. These companies
include:
Golden Artist Colors, Inc., https://www.goldenpaints.com/
M. Graham & Co. https://mgraham.com/;
final bit of advice is to buy from a reputable manufacturer. These companies
include:
Golden Artist Colors, Inc., https://www.goldenpaints.com/
M. Graham & Co. https://mgraham.com/;
Lascaux Colours, https://lascaux.ch/en/start
Atelier, http://atelieracrylic.com/
Liquitex Artist
Materials, Inc. http://www.liquitex.com/; and
Winsor & Newton,
About Jim Hingst: Sign business authority on vehicle wraps, vinyl graphics, screen printing, marketing, sales, gold leaf, woodcarving and painting.
After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.
Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer. Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.
Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 190 articles for publications, such as Signs Canada, SignCraft, Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 500 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published. Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon.
© 2019 Jim Hingst, All Rights Reserved.
