The reason for the confusion is simply the labeling conventions of paint manufacturers. You might have read that the difference between “latex” and “acrylic” is that latex is water-based and acrylic is “chemical” based. This is a meaningless statement; both paints are considered water-based and both contain “chemicals.” Those labeled “acrylic” paints, in general, are those that contain more acrylic polymers than those labeled “latex.” 

There are also acrylic paints used by artists; however, in this article I am honing in on those used for house painting and construction projects. In this discipline, acrylic paints have nearly made oil paints obsolete, and now the competing paints are the two main types of acrylic paints, latex and acrylic, as I’ve outlined above.

It’s also worth noting that acrylic latex paints, a combination of both acrylic and latex, are also available.

The Pros and Cons of Working With Acrylic Paints

Acrylic paints are often more specialized and have a higher content of acrylic polymers. The polymers aid in the paints durability, flexibility, and adhesion qualities — which also raises their cost. To help you choose the right paint for your project, I’ll include some benefits and drawbacks to using acrylic paint.

Pros of using acrylic paint

• Resilience. Acrylic is a better choice for outdoor projects such as building exteriors and backyard furniture. Consider using it for interiors that get a lot of use, too, such as cabinets or trims. The flexibility and durability means it will withstand temperatures, wear and tear, and sunlight.

• Adhesion. Acrylic paint can be more specialized for adhesion to particular surfaces. Pay attention to the surface you are painting. If it is resistant to new coats, likely you can find an acrylic paint that will adhere.

Cons of using acrylic paint

• Cost. Although there is a range in prices, generally acrylic paints cost more than latex. Weigh your options by considering the characteristics that are absolutely vital to your particular project.

• Toxicity and fumes. The higher content of acrylic polymers means acrylic paint is slightly more toxic than latex. Keep this in mind when painting interiors or in enclosed spaces, and make sure you have the proper ventilation.

The Pros and Cons of Working With Latex Paint

Quick clarification: Latex does not come from the rubber plant, as the name suggests. As I already outlined above, it is simply an acrylic paint labeled “latex” to distinguish between the more basic acrylic mixture and the acrylic mixture with a higher polymer count (called “acrylic” paint).

Latex paints are the more common choice for most projects, and there are a few good reasons for this. Here are some of the pros and cons to give you an idea.

Pros of using latex paint

• Coverage. Latex paints provide excellent coverage, requiring fewer coats, and therefore they are frequently used for painting large surfaces such as interior walls–or in any situation where you need a lot of it. The exception to this is exteriors and areas that would benefit from more durability.

• Dries quickly. Latex tends to dry even quicker than acrylic paint, and certainly quicker than oil paint.

• Cost. Latex paint is cheaper than other paints, making it your most affordable option. Its reduced polymer count may comprise its performance for particular projects, but it also brings down the price.

Cons of use latex paint

• Not great for exteriors. Latex paint and acrylic paint are both water-based; however, the fewer acrylic polymers in latex paint makes it less durable outdoors, and a poor choice for painting wood — particularly untreated wood. If it’s not specialized for these surfaces like acrylic paint is, the water content is likely to cause problems with changing temperatures and on porous materials.

• Less flexible. Latex paint is less elastic and therefore should not be your first choice for cabinets, window and door trim, or surfaces with lots of repeated use.

When to Use Latex vs. Acrylic Paint

So, should you use latex or acrylic paint?

If you’ve ever painted the exterior of a house, you know it’s a huge time and energy consuming project and you want to do it as infrequently as possible. Even if you hire professionals, the cost of their labor makes it an endeavor you hope to have done seldom. Using the highest quality acrylic paints, even though they are more expensive, could help you stretch out the time between painting significantly — maybe even up to ten years. Ultimately you’ll be saving money!

I often come across cheap or free patio furniture at estate sales or on the curb — the catch is that they are usually pretty worn or need a paint touch up. Because the furniture is cheap or free, I don’t hesitate to spend a little more money on acrylic paint. Acrylic paint is always a better choice for outdoor projects, and in this case it’s still affordable.

Acrylic paints are also much better for painting wood.

Latex paint is hands down the best option for interior use, and I have always used it for painting the walls of my bedroom, kitchen, etcetera. It has fewer fumes, dries quickly — both characteristics are important for your living environment.

Distinguishing between latex and acrylic house and construction paints sounds confusing until you realize they are basically different ratios of the same mixture. I hope this article clears up some of that confusion and proves useful for determining which option is best for your particular project.

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Acrylic is a popular painting medium, well loved for its versatility and, at least in the world of arts and crafts, its low cost. Gouache is often described as an opaque watercolor; it is thicker than watercolor, however, and does not allow the surface on which you’re painting to show through.

Both acrylic and gouache are water-based paints, easy to clean, and affordable.

Because acrylic paint technology has advanced so far, there does exist “acrylic gouache” just like there exists acrylic paints that mimic watercolors, oils, inks — you name it. Typically when we talk about acrylic paint, however, we are referring to the popular standard; a low cost, medium thickness paint with a plastic (“acrylic”) binding agent, which adheres the pigment to the liquid base.

More on “acrylic vs. gouache” below.

The Pros and Cons of Working with Acrylic Paints

The exploration of mediums by artists in the early-mid 20th century, especially the rejection of traditional European techniques by some of the Mexican artists in the 1930’s-50’s, such as painter and muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros (who taught and hugely influenced Jackson Pollock, among other American artists), was integral to the development of the modern and extremely versatile acrylic paints we now depend on across disciplines.

Today, acrylic paint can be specialized for any use. Acrylic gouache is an example of this specialization. In order to make the acrylic paint resemble gouache, the ratio of pigment to base is adjusted, and ingredients are added to create a matte finish. Once dry, however, the acrylic medium is no longer water-soluble–meaning you cannot re-wet and re-work the paint the way you can with gouache.

Here is a quick list of the highlights and drawbacks of using acrylic paint.

Pros of using acrylic paints

• Colors dry the same. The color you put down wet, while using acrylic paint, will be the same color you see after it has dried. This is true whether you are using standard acrylic paint or the acrylic gouache, and is famously not true for watercolor and traditional gouache paints.

• Quick drying. Acrylic paints dry quickly, which means you can more conveniently layer your colors without them blending. Because acrylic paint is no longer water-soluble when it has dried, the colors will not mix together.

Cons of using acrylic paints

• Quick drying. How quickly acrylics dry is often considered a perk, as I’ve outlined above; however, if you’re using acrylic gouache and you value the characteristics of gouache paint, you’ll likely want them to stay wet for longer. Gouache can be reanimated and re-worked by adding water, but acrylic gouache is like all acrylic paints in that once it is dry, it is locked in place.

The Pros and Cons of Working with Gouache

Gouache is sometimes called body color, opaque watercolor, or poster paint. Although the term “gouache” is French, it was adapted from the Italian “gauzzo”–meaning “mud.” It is like mud in that it is a simple mixture and dries with a matte finish. For a time it was created by mixing watercolor paints with a white pigment to make it opaque.

Gouache became a popular medium amongst cartoonists and designers. It is personally one of my favorite mediums for its re-workability (just get it wet), and its beautiful matte finish. As with any medium, of course there are drawbacks, too. Here are a few pros and cons of working with gouache.

Pros of using gouache paint

• Water-soluble. Gouache can be re-worked even after it has dried, simply by re-wetting it. Though this can take some getting used to, it is a very convenient trait and allows you to make changes as your ideas evolve.

• Options. When using gouache you have the option of tubes or pans. Gouache in tube form is already wet, though you can still add water to adjust the thickness to your own standards. Gouache in pan form is dry and you add your own water, which means you have a little more control over its consistency from the start. Acrylic gouache only comes in tube form.

Cons of using gouache paint

• Choosing a surface. Such a wet medium like gouache limits your options for materials on which to paint, but not by much, and you can get creative. Generally, the thicker and more durable the paper or board on which you are painting, the better, as thinner papers will warp and tear easily when wet. There is specialized paper for watercolor and gouache, but you can also experiment with materials to find what works best for you.
• Colors differ when dry. When gouache is wet the color looks different than it does when it is dry. This means it can be hard to know what the final product will look like, but I promise you will get to know the colors, wet and dry, over time.

When to Use Acrylics vs. Gouache

So, should you use gouache paint vs. acrylic for your project?

Acrylic paints are better for special projects, while gouache is primarily used for painting.

The versatility of acrylic paint and its ability to be specialized make it a great choice for a wide variety of uses. Acrylic paint makes the best fabric paint, in particular, because it is fairly elastic even when it’s dry — a necessary trait for such a malleable material.

Common uses for acrylic paints include:

• Painting on fabric
• Painting miniatures
• Painting nails with acrylic
• Painting wood
• Painting leather

There are several unique uses for gouache paint. Watercolor artists frequently use gouache to add highlights to their watercolor paintings; the opacity of the gouache makes a bold mark that stands out against the translucent watercolors.

Animation artists have been known to utilize the re-workability of gouache paint in their craft. It is extremely convenient to be able to simply re-wet an area of their painting to make a slight change, without redrawing the entire image

The post The Difference Between Acrylic and Gouache Paints appeared first on Acrylic Art World.

Combining pigments with oils is not a problem and although paint manufactures have perfected the process in more recent times, simple techniques for doing so have been around for thousands of years. To make acrylic paints, a pigment, a binder, and a vehicle are required. Oil paints require only the pigments and the oil.

Both types of paint are used widely across disciplines, although the versatility of acrylic makes it a popular choice for home and industrial projects, and many artists, particularly more advanced painters, still prefer to use oil paints. There are many reasons one might prefer oils over acrylic or vice versa, and this article will help you better understand each medium.

The Pros and Cons of Working with Acrylic Paints

Acrylic paints were developed throughout the mid-20th century, beginning in 1934 when the BASF chemical company in Germany created the first usable acrylic dispersion formula. A decade later a mineral spirits acrylic paint was developed, attracting fine arts painters; however, it wasn’t until 1953 that acrylics resembling what we use today were developed by paint manufacturers simultaneously in Mexico and the US.

Though acrylic paint is incredibly versatile and can be customized for a wide variety of needs, even closely mimicking other paints like oils or watercolors, it isn’t perfect for all uses. Here are some benefits and drawbacks to acrylic paints.

The Advantages of Using Acrylic Paints

• Variety. There are so many varieties of acrylics. Today, you can choose from a whole spectrum of body, or thicknesses. There are full bodied acrylics, soft bodied, fluid, even acrylic inks. 

• Customization. Likewise, there are countless mixing mediums on the market to use with your acrylic paints to customize their texture, handling, vibrancy, drying time, and preservation qualities.

• Drying time. Acrylic paints are known for drying quickly. I know speedy drying time isn’t universally desirable; depending on the project, your techniques and preferences, you may actually consider this a drawback. As mentioned above, there are mediums–such as gels and retarders–you can use to slow the drying process.

• Cost. It isn’t always true that acrylic paint is cheap — there are some specialized acrylic industrial and house paints that are extremely costly; however, generally speaking and in the fine arts sphere, acrylic paints are a much more affordable medium than oils.

• Adherence. Acrylic paint can readily be used with other mediums due to its ability to adhere to a wide variety of surfaces. A caveat to this is that when using acrylics and oils together, the acrylics must be applied first. I will explain this “fat-over-lean” rule in more detail in the last section.

• Convenience. There are no solvents required in the use of most acrylic paints. Keeping your brushes clean is quick and easy; just use lukewarm water. Soap is optional.

If you decide acrylic paint is right for you project, I highly recommend using Arteza Acrylic Paints. Amazon will frequently have amazing deals you can’t find anywhere else!

The Disadvantages of Using Acrylic Paints

• Quick drying. As mentioned above, this characteristic is both a benefit and a drawback of acrylics. Although there are mediums to increase the time they take to dry, it’s not quite the same as oils. For those accustomed to the lasting workability that comes with oil paints, acrylics dry too quickly and permanently. For industrial uses or when painting a room in your house, on the other hand, quicker is typically better.

• Appearance. There is a visual quality with oils that you can’t fully achieve with acrylics, though you can alter them to get pretty close. There is said to be a greater color variation visible in tinting and shading when using oils. I’ll explain more about why oils tend to look more vibrant below in the next section.

• Toxicity. During the drying process is when chemicals such as propylene glycol and ammonia release into the air and can be potentially harmful. Though acrylic paints are mostly safe to use, some varieties may be more toxic than others and adequate ventilation and disposal is always important.

The Pros and Cons of Working with Oil Paints

The use of oils as a binding agent for pigments is nothing new; oil paints have been used extensively throughout history. In fact, the first known example is a Buddhist mural that dates back to 650 AD. Pigments are most useful when dispersed in a medium that binds or “fixes”–and drying oils such as linseed, poppy, walnut, and safflower oils, were discovered early on to be the most effective. Linseed oil paint in particular rose to prominence in the 13th century, and linseed remains the most popular oil with which to manufacture paint today.

Most of those reading this will have had the experience of visiting a museum and seeing an oil painting created centuries ago, vibrant colors and textures still intact. Oil paints are truly time-tested. There have always been quirks and inherent struggles that come with painting in oils, however, and the development and continuous improvement of acrylic paints in recent times has certainly given oil paints some competition.

Let’s go over some of the benefits and drawbacks to working with oils.

The Advantages of Using Oil Paints

• Visual Quality. There is an unbeatable visual quality achieved with oil paints. This is likely due to the fact that a high ratio of pigment to oil can be used–thus most oil paints contain more physical color than acrylics or other paints. Current manufacturing techniques have eliminated imperfections in the mixing process, as well as the oil extraction process, further perfecting the appearance of oil paints. Therefore many of the flaws that have existed with oil paints over centuries, have been greatly minimized.

• Drying time. If you’re accustomed to working slowly, there is a real benefit to how slowly oil paints dry. It’s highly variable and dependent on technique, thickness, and environment, but the average drying time for oils is anywhere between several days to weeks. And by dry, I mean “sufficiently dry”–enough to continue working. Oils do not dry in the same way water-based paints dry–water content evaporating into the atmosphere; instead, the exposure of the oils to the air eventually causes them to harden and lock. This extra time allows for frequent reworking, something artists familiar with the medium come to rely on.

• Tradition. Fine art painters tend to enjoy the tradition of oil paints, and many continue to mix their own–despite advancements in commercial manufacturing–combining pigments and oils according to their own unique preferences.

Winsor & Newton have a professional oil set with 10 colors that’s worth checking out here.

The Disadvantages of Using Oil Paints

• Drying time. The most common complaint about the use of oil paints is likely coming from someone just starting out in the medium, but it’s a valid complaint nonetheless. Until you’ve gotten comfortable with your technique, reworking or adding sections slowly over time, the pace at which it dries can feel inhibiting and even stifle your creative flow. It takes practice and patience; however, solvents such as turpentine, among others, have been known to help speed things along.

• Toxicity of solvents and mediums. Oil paints on their own will not release toxins into the air during the drying process, but the mediums and solvents commonly used with oils, such as turpentine, will. Proper ventilation is always a good practice.

When to Use Oils vs. Acrylics

Knowing more about both types of paint should help you decide which one is best for your project. As someone with experience using both, I can provide you with some simple examples of when I might choose one or the other.

Painting on fabric. Printmakers often use acrylic inks in their practice and this once gave me the idea to linoleum-block print some t-shirt using the acrylic paint I had lying around. They turned out great!

Acrylic paint is a great choice for fabrics because their flexibility means they are less likely to crack with so much movement. Though you could prime the fabric, it’s not necessary. Oils on fabric would require sufficient priming, otherwise they’d seep through and you’d end up with a mess.

Painting a composition. If I planned on creating a landscape or portrait on stretched canvas or a wood panel, I would almost always choose oil paints. The convenience of acrylics, to me, is what makes them so tempting; however, there is a richness to the color and texture with oils that I haven’t seen matched with acrylics.

Many artists have composed underpainting with acrylics, only adding touches in oils on top. There are creative reasons for doing this I am sure, but given the price of oils and the price of acrylics, this could be a money saver for those who want to retain that richness and vibrancy of oil paints on a budget. The “fat-over-lean” rule is a reminder to always apply the thicker, slower drying mediums on top of the quick drying mediums. This ensures that your surface isn’t solidifying only to crack over time as the underlayer continues to dry and contract. So using oils and acrylics together is a great idea, as long as you apply them in the right order!

Home decor. Oil paints are rarely used for large scale projects anymore such as interior or exterior house painting. Acrylics are so advanced now, that the versatility, durability, and customization often outweigh what oils have to offer in this context. Whether for painting the walls, or adding stencils or decorative murals, I’d choose acrylic paints in this scenario.

The post Acrylic vs. Oil Paint: Learn the Difference! appeared first on Acrylic Art World.

Watercolor painting has been practiced throughout history and because watercolors are such a simple medium, they have remained relatively unchanged over time — think ancient Chinese scroll paintings. Both paints are water-based, but watercolors can be rewetted while acrylic is not water soluble once it has dried.

Watercolor paint is made up of a pigment (natural or synthetic) and a binder (often this is gum-arabic), and–depending on the type you use–extra additives for performance and a bit of water. Soft watercolors that come in tubes and can be squeezed out are pre-mixed with water, whereas the most popular kind comes as a pallet of dry cakes with a very low water content. You mix in the water by wetting your brush.

Though acrylics are also water-based and can be diluted and used similarly to watercolors, there are key differences. Acrylics lose their water-solubility once dry, as mentioned above, and therefore you can’t overlap colors like you can with watercolors. Acrylic paints come in so many varieties, some of which are customized to more closely mimic watercolors. Even so, achieving the signature fluidity and layering of the latter is nearly impossible.

The Pros and Cons of Working With Acrylic Paints

Acrylic paints were developed in the 20th century after the German chemical company BASF created acrylic resin in the 30’s. By the 40’s, innovations in these synthetic paints led to their use not only for commercial and industrial applications but also for fine arts. The water-based version of acrylic paint that we know so well today, came into popular use in the late 1950’s.

We know acrylic paint to be convenient, affordable, and versatile; so versatile, in fact, that it can often replace other mediums. Acrylic paint technology is not perfect, however. Watercolors have unique qualities, so it’s important to know what you may be giving up when you opt for acrylics instead. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of acrylics.

Pros:

• Vibrancy. Even watered down, acrylic paint colors remain vibrant. Most importantly, when you put the wet color down you can expect it to dry the same color. This isn’t always true for watercolors.
• Mixing. For the beginner, mixing acrylic paint colors can be easier than mixing watercolor paints–namely the ones that come in dry cakes. You simply have to mix the already fluid paints to an even consistency, then dilute them with water. Only small swathes of watercolors can be mixed at a time because you have to activate them with a wet brush.
• Durability of the artwork. Painting with acrylics makes for less chance the final painting will succumb to damage. This inherent durability is because the acrylic paint becomes non-water-soluble after it dries. It can not be re-wetted. That being said, there are always fixatives available for protecting watercolors, and no matter the medium it’s usually a good practice to glaze your art in some way.

Cons:

• Dries non-water-soluble. Above I mentioned how this can be a benefit of acrylic paints, making the artwork less damage prone; however, a paint that you can re-wett, like watercolors, or that dries slowly like oils, is superior if you like to re-work your paintings over time.
• Opacity. Again, it always depends on what you’re looking for, but acrylics will not achieve the same transparency that watercolors do. If you’re going for that fluid look that you see with Chinese ink paintings or watercolors–acrylics aren’t your best option.
• Drying time. The quick dry time for acrylics is often considered a benefit, but it makes for a poor watercolor substitute. Once the paint is dry there is no going back to increase translucence like you can with watercolors.

The Pros and Cons of Working With Watercolor

Watercolor paintings are unique and ethereal. They have been frequently used as a “sketching” medium, to draft out ideas, but they are also beautiful paintings in their own right. Winslow Homer is a well-loved American painter who often worked in oils, but many art critics consider his watercolors to be his best work. There are occasions you might want to work in this medium and occasions you might prefer something bolder. I will lay out some of the pros and cons of working in watercolors to help you decide.

Pros:

• Tradition. Like oil painters, watercolor artists know their medium well. There is something to be said for learning the tricks of the trade, and taking full creative advantage of the unique characteristics of a medium like watercolor.
• Simplicity. Watercolors vary in terms of what’s in the paint mixture, but in general they are a very basic formula consisting of pigment and some sort of gum as binding agent. You supply the water. Simplicity also means easy to clean and safe. Their water-solubility makes for a swift cleanup. Finally, it’s never a good idea to eat paint, but you can be sure they’re non-toxic when using them as intended!
• Water-solubility. Not only does this quality make them less messy, but it provides a unique opportunity for reworking your image even after it has dried. All you have to do is re-wet the paint.

Cons:

• Paper. Any painting medium as wet as watercolor will require the use of a thicker, more durable paper. Watercolors themselves are affordable but the paper is an added expense.
• Practice and technique. Getting the hang of applying brush strokes sparingly so you don’t soak and tear the paper can be one of the biggest frustrations with this medium. As I mentioned above there are designated papers for use with watercolors, but even so it takes practice. It’s not uncommon for colors to end up muddy or the paper to pucker and bulge in areas. Don’t give up; you’ll develop a technique over time.

When to Use Watercolor vs. Acrylics

Watercolors and acrylics are distinct mediums, but they can also be used in ways that make them resemble one another. For example, there are thicker watercolors that come in pastes, and there are thinner acrylics more readily diluted. Here are some scenarios in which I’d use one or the other, in case anecdotes are more helpful.

I love to make watercolors for my friends and family. They make great gifts. They’re quick and can be spontaneous, so it feels good to give them away.

Though there are plenty of watercolor artists who create masterpieces in this medium, I love to use these paints for quick visual studies. If you treat watercolor paintings sort of like you would treat composing a haiku, I think you’d quickly learn a lot about the basic elements of painting.

Acrylic paints are known for being more versatile in terms of what they can bind to. If you’re experimenting with materials and want to paint on fabrics, or even leather, acrylic paint would be the perfect medium.

The post The Difference Between Acrylic and Watercolor Paints appeared first on Acrylic Art World.

If you’re just looking for the best acrylic medium, I recommend Liquiditex BASIC Acrylic Medium Starter Kit.

Acrylic Medium For Fabrics

An acrylic medium for fabric is designed to make your acrylic paint more flexible and it improves adhesion to unprimed fabrics. For example, if you wanted to paint with acrylic paint on a canvas bag, you’d want the paint to take to the fabric and adhere to it without flaking off and cracking later. A medium would allow you to paint directly onto the bag preserving your design. 

Without a medium, you’d have to rough up the fabric to improve the acrylic paints adhesion to the finished project. Additionally, the acrylic paint will dry incredibly stiff making the final project difficult to use. The medium improves the final project’s flexibility and helps the paint adhere to the fabric without having to rough it up. Lastly, the medium can help control color bleeding, unlike thinning the paint with water or mediums unintended for fabric.

Some mediums have additional uses. In particular, the Liquitex Professional Acrylic Fabric Medium can be used to create a watercolor effect by diluting the paint even further with the medium. You can even achieve a wet-on-wet technique just like you can with watercolor paint making acrylic medium for fabric a versatile tool. 

What Is Acrylic Pouring Medium?

Acrylic pouring medium is designed to make your acrylic paint more fluid and easy to work with for the purposes of acrylic pour style art. If you’ve ever seen videos of someone pouring paint on a canvas creating beautifully marbled art, you’ve likely seen pour art that was done with an acrylic pouring medium. 

The medium works by diluting the paint while also adding more binders so that the paint will stick to the canvas without flaking, cracking, or drying inconsistently. The binders are what allows the acrylic paint to stick to a surface or itself. Some people try to make their pour art with water as a medium, but the results are inconsistent and can degrade the artwork over time. 

The benefit to using an acrylic pouring medium is that your work will not only stick without flaking or cracking, but it will also remain archival. Additionally, to achieve that perfect marbled look you’ll want to use a medium that will help the paint retain its vibrancy and gloss. If you use a medium unsuited for acrylic paint or water, your final product will lose its shine and color vibrancy.

What Are The Best Acrylic Mediums?

Finding the best acrylic mediums can be daunting, but we’ve done the work for you. We have recommendations for the best acrylic pouring medium, the best acrylic fabric medium, and best medium starter set. 

Best Acrylic Pouring Medium

We highly recommend the Liquitex Professional Pouring Effects Medium as the best acrylic pouring medium due to its affordability and dependability. Liquitex always delivers high-quality products that are affordable for even beginner acrylic artists. 

Key Product Features

• Creates even pours
• Increases paint flow
• High gloss finish

What We Like

• Price point
• Available in multiple sizes
• High quality

What We Don’t Like

• Hard to wash off of skin and surfaces
• Unable to be poured down a sink drain for disposal

Customer Reviews

“I love this product. I’ve been using it to make acrylic pour paintings, and it’s great.”

Amanda H.

“Just got done with my first two paintings and I’m impressed.”

KVI

Best Acrylic Fabric Medium

We highly recommend the Liquitex Professional Effects Fabric Medium as the best acrylic fabric medium due to its ability to reduce fabric stiffness and cracking. Liquitex offers several mediums for different types of projects, but its fabric medium is specifically tailored for working on unprimed canvases and projects. 

Key Product Features

• Improves blendability
• Improves acrylic adhesion to fabric
• Reduces dry paint stiffness

What We Like

• Low price point
• Heat setting is not required
• Controls color bleeding

What We Don’t Like

• Not available in multiple sizes
• Bottle doesn’t contain clear instructions

Customer Reviews

“I was using this to make my regular acrylic paints more suitable for fabric and it worked very nicely.”

JBS

“This product did exactly what it says it does with the added bonus of not having to heat set!”

Gary L.

Best Acrylic Medium Starter Kit

We highly recommend the Liquitex Basics Acrylic Medium Starter Set due to the number of options available to play around with. For any new beginner that wants to try mediums, this set will give you a variety of options so that you can figure out what your favorites are. 

Key Product Features

• Includes 5 types of acrylic medium – iridescent, gloss gel, coarse texture, modeling paste, gesso
• Alters texture, color, or thickness
• Maintains or adds stability

What We Like

• Multiple finishes
• Artist-grade quality

What We Don’t Like

• Tubes are only 2.5oz as opposed to the full size tubes you get when purchasing individually
• Higher price point

Customer Reviews

“I love this set of mediums. There is enough in each tube to do several paintings as well as sample them to try it out.”

Rona G

“So glad I got these. I am a beginner at painting but enjoy changing things up.”

Abraham V

How To Paint On Fabric Using A Medium

To use an acrylic medium, you mix the medium with the paint at a ratio consistent with the manufacturer’s instructions. Some mediums can even create a watercolor wet-on-wet style effect. You’ll need to check the specific product that you purchase to see what type of effects it can create and how to create them. 

Be careful how you apply medium to your fabric. You have to be sure not to shake your medium, as it can make your final paint job look foggy rather than clear like you intended. If the medium looks like it has bubbles, let it sit until the bubbles disappear. 

After you’ve read the manufacturer’s instructions and prepared the paint to create the desired effect, apply the paint onto the fabric in a thin layer. You can use a brush, roller, or other desired application method as long as the paint doesn’t get too thick. Opt for several thin layers to blend rather than heavy layers to avoid cracking and extreme stiffness.

Determine whether heat is necessary and then dry the design as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Some mediums require heat to set the design, while others can just be left to air dry. Also, check the manufacturer’s instructions to determine whether your final project can be washed or dried while still maintaining your project’s original integrity.

Acrylic Pouring Medium FAQs

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Lots of people ask me, can you really use acrylic paint on fabric? Luckily, you can definitely use acrylic paint on fabric including clothing, shoes, pillows, and more!

Here’s the kicker: Acrylics not formulated for fabric painting will leave the fabric stiffer than dye or fabric paint, which is why we created the in-depth guide below.

You might need textile medium, a special type of paint thinner that helps acrylic paint adhere to fabric, if your acrylic paint isn’t specially formulated for fabrics (don’t worry — we also found the best acrylic paints for fabrics).

Tips to Using Acrylic Paint on Fabric

We’re going to break down everything you need to know about using acrylic paints on fabric — but first we’re going to rapid-fire answer the most commonly asked questions!

The Best Acrylic Fabric Paints

Let’s cut to the chase: If you’re just looking for the best acrylic paint set for fabric, I’ve got you covered.

I highly recommend this Arteza Fabric Paint Set. It’s made for fabrics, clothes, and even canvases.

Here are a few runners up worth considering for your next fabric painting project:

1. Best Value: Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set. This is a great option if you need more colors than the Arteza Fabric Paint Set! This acrylic paint set comes with 24 color options with a gorgeous satin finish. 
2. Best Acrylic Paint Markers: Crafty Croc Acrylic Paint Markers. Acrylic paint markers are a terrific option for fabric and allow for more precise designs compared to brush-based alternatives. 
3. Best For Artists: U.S. Art Supply Fabric Paint. These paints come with premium quality nylon paint brushes in a variety of sizes and a mixing wheel to find the perfect color for your project.

Product Image

Best Value

Best Acrylic Pens

Best for Artists

Title

Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set

Crafty Croc Acrylic Paint Pens

U.S. Art Supply Acrylic Fabric Paint

Prime Status

Number of Colors

24

16

24

Price

$9.08 ($0.93 / Fl Oz)

$14.99

$59.99

Buy Now

Product Image

Best Value

Title

Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set

Prime Status

Number of Colors

24

Price

$9.08 ($0.93 / Fl Oz)

Buy Now

Product Image

Best Acrylic Pens

Title

Crafty Croc Acrylic Paint Pens

Prime Status

Number of Colors

16

Price

$14.99

Buy Now

Product Image

Best for Artists

Title

U.S. Art Supply Acrylic Fabric Paint

Prime Status

Number of Colors

24

Price

$59.99

Buy Now

Editor’s note: If you don’t buy an acrylic paint that’s specially formulated for fabric, you should absolutely use a medium like this one if you’re going to be painting clothing.

Tips for Painting With Acrylic Paint on Fabric

If you’ve never painted on fabric before, take the following tips into consideration:

1. Run your fabric through the washer
2. Remove any existing protective coating
3. Wear old clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty
4. Work on a porous surface that won’t absorb the paint and ruin it
5. Put down newspaper or plastic on your floor
6. Mix your paint thoroughly
7. Use a medium to soften your fabric and make the paint adhere better

How to seal acrylic paint on fabric: Using a medium is one of the best ways to seal acrylic paint on fabric. You can also heat set the fabric by ironing the painted area for three to five minutes. If you go the heat set route, make sure to put something between your paint and the iron — you don’t want to accidentally ruin your iron!

How to Wash Fabric That Has Been Painted

Caring for your painted fabric projects is pretty easy. Acrylic paint without a medium could result in the paint coming off while washing, so clean your fabric with care. I would recommend spot treating, hand washing, and hang drying for the first few washes. 

If that isn’t possible, using the gentle cycle on your washing machine and low heat cycle on your clothes dryer should extend the life of your design as well. Make sure you don’t wash other clothing with the fabric you’ve painted with acrylic — run it by itself in case there’s any run off. 

If you can minimize how much you need to wash the fabric it will minimize how much you will degrade the paint and its adhesion by shrinking and expanding the fibers through a repeated wash.

You can also use acrylic paint for screen printing, stenciling, and stamping on fabric

Let’s dive a little deeper into what acrylic paint mediums are and why they’re so important for painting on fabric with acrylics.

The Best Alternatives to Painting Fabric With Acrylics

Fabric Paint

You might not want to paint fabric with acrylic, because of the extra steps required. The best alternative to acrylic paint is simply buying a fabric paint that already contains the fabric medium within the formula. Fabric paints are flexible, designed to attach to stretchable fabric with ease.

These paints are specifically designed for fabrics and come in a variety of colors.

Spray Paint

Spray paint is another great alternative to acrylic paint. It’s most often used for painting furniture, metals, brick, and other tough materials, but you can use it for cool patterns and designs on clothing or textiles as well.

Spray paints can be used in conjunction with fabric or acrylic paint to create a graffiti effective.

Fabric Dye

The last alternative to acrylic paint is fabric dye. Fabric dye can be used to achieve tie-die patterns, or to simply dye a white shirt another color. You can combine fabric dye with any of the paints we’ve mentioned so far to achieve the desired effect. For example, you could make the fabric dye a black or purple to achieve a night effect and paint with a fabric paint or acrylic paint on top of the dye base.

What is Fabric Medium?

We’ve been talking about “medium” a lot during this article — but what is it exactly? 

Fabric medium basically turns your acrylic paint into fabric paint. When you apply a fabric medium to your acrylic paint, it turns that thick acrylic paint into a flexible and soft material that blends with the fabric you’re painting on.

Fabric medium has several advantages:

• Water-color effect on fabric
• “Softens” the paint
• Blends onto the fabric
• More color options

Here’s the key question when deciding whether or not to use a fabric medium: Will the fabric you are painting be worn as clothing, or do you plan on hanging it up or displaying it? 

Acrylic paint without medium is an excellent option for decorative tapestry projects since they’re hung up. Tapestries and canvases meant for hanging up can retain the thickness of acrylic paint and not have to go through the wash.

Really any fabric or tapestry art that you intend on being more of display art than functional items are great candidates for acrylic without medium.

Acrylic Paint on Fabric Without a Medium

It’s worth noting that you should absolutely mix your acrylic paint with a medium if you’re going to paint on clothing, shoes, or other materials that experience natural wear and tear. Not applying a medium will likely lead to the paint fading over time.

However, if you’re going to paint without a medium consider the following tips:

1. Surface treat the area with sandpaper or another abrasive
2. Wet the fabric before you paint
3. Thin the paint before using it so it’s less thick

Why You Shouldn’t Use Acrylic Paint on Fabric Without a Medium

Not all acrylic paints are intended for fabrics (which is why we made our list of the best acrylic paints above). 

Acrylics naturally harden and stiffen whatever surface they’re painted on — that’s why we highly recommend buying a fabric medium. Medium is a liquid that mixes with paint and thins it out, removing some of the thickening properties inherent in acrylic paints. 

My personal recommendation for a fabric medium is this Liquitex Professional Fabric Effects Medium. This will give you results much like fabric paint. If you are set on using acrylics on fabric without adding fabric medium read on to find out what you can expect.

If you’re gungho about using acrylic paint without a medium, we’ve provided a few tips to improve adhesion, flexibility, and workability of the paint.

• Surface treat the fabric.
• Wet the area down.
• Thin your paint with water before painting.

If you’re worried about acrylics not being the right paint for your t-shirt or shoes project, another great paint that works well on fabric is gouache. It’s similar to acrylic paint, but the texture is a bit different. We recommend the GenCrafts Gouache Paint Set, which comes with 27 beautiful colors, for your next fabric painting project.

Do I Need to Heat Set Acrylic Paint on Fabric?

Once you are all done with your fabric project, you can go the extra mile and heat set it as well. This ensures that it will last a long time, and avoid any damage/breakage. If you followed all the steps above correctly, your painted fabric should be good to go, but did you know you can also heat set your painted fabric project?

Apart from the fabric medium you added to your project, there’s also the option to heat dry it with an iron. I have used an iron in the past and it set perfectly. Below we will go over the steps:

Step 1: Wait

I know, the excitement of trying on your new fabric project is alluring, but you’ll need to wait a minimum of 24 hours to make sure the paint is dry and another 4 days before you’re ready to wash the material.

Don’t skip on this step, or your paint can smudge or wash off.

Step 2: Set the Fabric Paint

You’ll need to get out your iron and wait for it to heat up. Once it’s heated, flip your t-shirt or jeans over to the side that’s not painted. Alternatively, you can put a scrap of cloth over the painted side — the important thing is that you don’t put heat directly on the fabric.

Next, run the iron over the painted area for a few minutes. Be sure not to scorch or burn through the fabric. Lift up the iron as needed.

Keep ironing for around three to five minutes, checking to make sure you’re not burning through or damaging the fabric / paint. You’ll know it’s done once the paint is fully dried.

How to Use Acrylic Paint on T-Shirts

Let’s put everything we’ve learned into practice: How would you go about using acrylic paint on a t-shirt?

Gather your materials

You’ll need the following materials (which you can find links to below):

• Acrylic paint
• Acrylic paint markers (if applicable)
• Fabric medium
• Brushes
• Blank t-shirt (men or women)

Prepare and mix your paint: Mix your paint with the textile medium to ensure flexibility and adhesion. Most medium will require two parts medium with one part paint.

Sketch your drawing: Before you get carried away, it’s a good idea to sketch your outline with a crayon or whatever you can get your hands on. Try to keep your shapes simple and easy to paint over, especially if you’re just starting out.

Paint and let it stand: Here comes to fun part! Fill in your designs with the desired colors and let them dry.

Heat set: Check your particular medium or paint for instructions on how to heat set the item. You can use an iron or blow dryer to get the desired effect.

Well there you have it, you’re now fully ready to paint on fabric with your acrylic paints. I hope you found these tips helpful and I would love it if you shared a picture of your project in the comments section!

Don’t forget to check out my other articles on everything you need to know about painting with acrylics. Happy painting!

The post Can You Use Acrylic Paint on Fabric? appeared first on Acrylic Art World.

So, can you use acrylic paint as tattoo ink? You can, but it isn’t recommended. Unless the acrylic paint explicitly says that it is for tattoo use, I wouldn’t recommend it. You should definitely stick to regular tattoo ink.

Perhaps not surprisingly, there will be some people that ignore this warning. This is because acrylic paint does give a bright color when used as tattoo ink. It is also easy to get hold of too. This is why you will often find it used in prison tattoos, or homemade tattoos.

I would recommend sticking to regular tattoo ink, like this Stigma Set. If you don’t want to go that route, Golden High makes acrylic inks that are very watered down, but again I would recommend going with ink that is specifically for tattooing.

In theory, you could inject any sort of paint or ink into your skin and hope for the best. The thing is, you really, really do not want to do that. It could potentially cause a lot of issues, and these are not issues that are easily treatable. Some could even lead to early death. 

Is It Safe to Use Acrylic Paint as Tattoo Ink?

To answer this question, it would probably be wise for us to give you an idea of how tattoos work. This is a very brief overview. We aren’t going to go into all of the scientific aspects.

When you are injected with tattoo ink, the tattoo ink will be injected deep beneath the surface. A couple of layers deep.

The body isn’t a fan of this happening. As a result, your immune system will be kicked into overdrive, and hordes of white blood cells will be sent to attack the tattoo ink. The problem? The ink particles can’t be removed by the white blood cells. Unlike other ‘invaders’ in the body, the white blood cells cannot absorb them.

The result is that the body has no mechanism to remove the tattoo ink. This means that it will stay there permanently. 

Another tattoo ink I highly recommend is this Millennium Mom’s Tattoo Ink. A lot of tattoo artists use this brand for its vibrant and rich colors.

Since the ink is going to be sitting there for the rest of your life, any of the chemicals and compounds in acrylic paint will be sitting there too. Now, for the most part, acrylic paint is safe. However, there are some pigments that have to make use of compounds such as lead. Obviously, lead really is not something that you want to have sitting around in your body permanently, since it could kill you.

Now, you could avoid the acrylic paints that have these compounds. There will be a massive warning label on them that says they are toxic. However, this isn’t to say that the less-toxic materials in acrylic paint will be safe for a tattoo. They haven’t been tested in the human body, after all?

There are plenty of people that have injected themselves with acrylic paint for tattoos with no ill-effects. However, you have to remember that if there is an issue and your body doesn’t act properly, you are going to end up with a serious infection. This is an infection that is going to be exceedingly hard to treat. Actually, it is going to be pretty painful to treat too. It really isn’t worth the risk.

If you are going to have a tattoo done, make sure that only products rated for tattoo use are used. This means going to an actual tattoo parlor to have the work carried out. Yes, it is going to cost you a little bit of money if you want to have that done, but at least you are not going to be running the risk of a serious injection, which is pretty much always going to be a plus.

Final Thoughts

While there are some people that will use acrylic paint as tattoo ink, it really is not something that you should be doing. Acrylic paint is not meant to be used on the skin. Always remember to only use tattoo ink that is safe for your body.

The post Can You Use Acrylic Paint as Tattoo Ink? appeared first on Acrylic Art World.

People are now getting more and more creative by choosing alternative solutions to just basic makeup. But can really use acrylic paint as eyeliner? While you can use acrylic paint as eyeliner, it’s generally not recommended due to the toxic chemicals it may contain.

In this article we go over what you need to know for using acrylic paint as eyeliner, and even alternative ways to incorporate the paint in your makeup routine.

Let’s get started!

Can You Put Acrylic Paint on Your Eyes?

You can. However, it’s not recommended.

We know that a lot of people out there, have come up with some fancy designs where they put acrylic paint on their eyes. While artists do this perhaps for a photoshoot, or some other type of art, it’s not highly recommend.

Acrylic paint is not designed be used on the skin. It is however relatively safe in comparison to other paints. Acrylic paint is water based, and most of them are non-toxic nowadays, so applying acrylic paint for a short time won’t probably lead to any issues.

However, if you have sensitive skin, or have known allergies, it can potentially be a problem. Check out this article that talks about acrylic paint causing allergic reactions.

If you are looking for non-toxic acrylic paint, that is even safe for kids, then I recommend this Apple Barrel Set. This set is non-toxic comes with tons of vibrant colors. You can imagine that kids get paint everywhere, so it’s safe to say it’s okay for short term use on your skin.

If you don’t take precautions with a skin-safe paint, the real problem occurs if and when the acrylic paint irritates your eyes. You have to remember that in order to get pigment in paint, small chemicals need to be added. The pigment that goes into acrylic paint isn’t as small and smooth like in actual face paint.

This means that you will have small particles going into your eyes. This can cause a huge amount of eye irritation. All it takes is a small amount. At the same time, people apply a small amount of acrylic paint and mix it with their makeup. This gives it a more vibrant look. Again, doing this isn’t the most recommended thing out there, so it’s at your own risk.

Is It Safe to Put Acrylic Paint on Your Lips?

Not exactly. Now, it is fair to say that acrylic paint is some of the safest paint that you can possibly buy. However, it hasn’t been designed for the skin, and it’s typically not tested on it either.

If you put acrylic paint on your lips, there is a small chance that you will ingest some of it. While we cannot say that the acrylic paint is going to cause you any long term damage if you swallow small amounts, do you really want to take that risk?

It is also worth noting that some colors of acrylic paint contain some awful ingredients that can cause damage, such as lead. Again, it isn’t really something that is going to cause many issues if you only consume a small amount but, let’s be honest, why would you want to be consuming lead in the first place? It really makes no sense.

My top recommendation for skin safe paint, is this Arteza non-toxic paint set. It doesn’t contain those harsh chemicals so it’s safe to be used on skin.

What Happens if I Get Acrylic Paint in My Eyes?

It’s important that you rinse and wash your eyes immediately after it makes contact. You will need to use clean water for this, and gently rinse your eyes to make sure no paint remains on them.

Ideally, you will be hunched over a sink with running water. You will then want to pull your eyelid down and splash as much water in there as you can. We won’t lie, it is going to be uncomfortable, but it is the only way that you are going to be getting that acrylic paint out of your eye.

The longer you leave the paint in your eye, the higher the chances are it will cause damage. As we said before, the pigment inside of the paint is not going to be finely ground up. This means that it runs the risk of scratching your eyeball.

If you notice any issues with your vision beyond a bit of irritation, then it is important that you visit your Doctor or a hospital as soon as you can. Although it most likely won’t be serious, it’s always a good idea to get checked out if the problem persists.

What Happens if I Accidentally Eat Acrylic Paint?

If you put acrylic paint on your lips and accidentally ate it, there isn’t really much you can do about it. Just keep an eye on your health over the next day or so.

Accidentally eating a lot of paint would be a different story, but small amounts of paint shouldn’t really be a cause for concern unless you are doing it regularly.

You may also want to drink plenty of fluids, as it may help dilute the swallowed acrylic paint quicker. Although, your stomach should be doing a pretty decent job of that anyway. Ingesting a small amount of paint isn’t very serious, but if you happen to be allergic to certain chemicals, it’s good to get checked out.

What Paint Is Safe as Eyeliner?

The only paint that you should be using as eyeliner will be face paints and, even then, they may not work as well as you would hope. This is because they are also water-based and they will start to smudge if you sweat even a little bit.

This set, is my top recommendation for quality face paints. Many artists use this set to create vibrant face art.

You can combat the smudging a little bit if you add some powder around the eye before you apply the face paint. Although, once again, you will want to ensure that whatever powder you use around your eyes will have been rated for use on the face.

You should never, ever be putting something anywhere close to your eyes that has not been rated for use on the skin.

Final Thoughts

While there are some people that will use acrylic paint as an eyeliner, I really wouldn’t recommend it. The risk of eye irritation is always there. If you must paint around your eyes then you should use face paint, like the one recommend above.

Always remember to be safe and use non-toxic acrylic paint if you are applying it to your skin. Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your acrylic painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!

The post Can You Use Acrylic Paint as Eyeliner? appeared first on Acrylic Art World.

Most gamers would love to have their very own personalized gaming controller (if they don’t already) and in this article we go over everything you need to know to make that happen.

So, can you use acrylic paint on a gaming controller? Absolutely! You can definitely use acrylic paint on pretty much all your controllers. You just need to take the proper steps in order to protect your controller in the process.

Let’s read on!

Can You Paint an Xbox Controller With Acrylic Paint?

Absolutely! In fact, a lot of people do it. It is a quick way to add a custom design to your Xbox controller without having to buy a regular color one at the store. For the acrylic paint itself, I recommend Arteza acrylic paints. They have tons of colors to choose from, and some are made just for specific surfaces!

Later on, we will tell you exactly how you can paint your Xbox controller with acrylic paint. As long as you have access to paint, it’ll be easier than you think.

Can You Paint a Playstation Controller With Acrylic Paint?

Just like the Xbox controller, you shouldn’t have any issues painting the Playstation controller. In fact, you will probably have an easier time painting a Playstation controller as you do not have to worry about painting around a battery compartment cover.

We have seen plenty of people that have painted that compartment cover shut on the Xbox controller, which is annoying as it now means that you cannot replace your batteries!

For regular and detail paintbrushes, check out this article. It’ll point you in the right direction for which type of brush you should get.

Can You Paint a Wii Controller With Acrylic Paint?

Yes you can, however, you are going to need to be a lot more careful painting a Wii controller than either a Playstation or Xbox controller. 

This is all down to the sensor at the top of the Wii controller. Obviously, one of the main selling points of the Wii controller is the fact that it has motion controls. In order for those motion controls to work, the Wii controller needs to have unhindered access to the sensor bar that sits on top of the TV.

If you get even the smallest amount of paint on the top of the controller, then it will stop working completely. This means that if you do paint your Wii controller, then you will want to ensure that you do not paint anywhere near the top of it. It probably won’t end up looking as good, but at least you will still get to keep a controller that works.

If you do get acrylic paint on the sensor of the Wii controller, then make sure that you wipe it off as quickly as possible. If you let it dry, then the problem becomes tougher to deal with!

Other than this, you have to remember that a Wii controller is actually tougher to take apart than either the Xbox or Playstation controller. This means that you will have to find some way to shield the buttons when you are painting the controller. If you do not do that then, once again, you will have ended up with a controller that is completely ruined. 

How to Paint Gaming Controllers With Acrylic Paint 

As we mentioned above, you can paint your Xbox controller, Playstation controller, and even your Wii remote. In this section, we go over all the necessary steps in order for you to get started.

There are many types of acrylic paint to use, but for this project you will need a paint that will stick to plastic. You can also paint your controller with acrylic paint pens. They’re just like acrylic paint, except in comes in a pen. This one here from Arteza is my top pick.

For regular acrylic paint that works on plastic, this Crafts 4 ALL set is highly recommend in the art field. It’s specifically made to stick to plastic.

You can also use acrylic spray paint, but that will cover most of the controller. If you want to paint designs or even different color blocks, regular acrylic paint is the way to go. If you do choose to use a spray paint, I recommend this Evolve Elite set. It comes with 12 vibrant colors and dries with a matte finish.

Now that we covered the type of acrylic paint you will need, here are the steps to paint your controllers.

Take the Controller Apart

The first step is to take the controller apart. If you have a Playstation controller or Xbox controller, just undo the screws and you should be fine.

With a Wii controller, you can’t really do this. Well, you can. It just is trickier to put together.

If you have a Wii controller, you may want to cut off small pieces of paper and place them into the gaps around the button. This should stop most paint leaking into the controller but, of course, you will have to be very, very careful. Covering the openings with tape also works.

The whole purpose of taking the controller apart is to ensure that you do not get paint into the electronics which will ruin the controller.

Clean the Controller

Unless your controller is brand-new, chances are that it is going to have grease on it. This means that you will need to clean it off, otherwise, you are just painting that grease onto the controller and it isn’t going to be a good look.

You can use a degreaser for this step. If you don’t have a degreaser handy, you can wipe your controller down with an alcohol wipe or pad, then gently dry it with a cloth.

Sand the Controller 

You will need 1000-grit sandpaper for this. It needs to be fine, and you need to be sanding ‘wet’. The idea is to rough up the surface a little bit. This makes the acrylic paint stick a little bit easier. If you paint your controller without sanding it, the paint might not stick well since it will be slippery.

Apply a Primer

Since your control will most likely be dark, you need a primer for the acrylic paint to stick to and to show its vibrant colors. You can skip this step, but it’s recommended that you always prime the surface you will be painting on. It makes it easier for the acrylic paint to stick to, and because the primer dries white, you have a clear surface to paint on.

This primer is my top pick. Just make sure it fully dries before you apply the acrylic paint.

Cover Open Areas

If you are planning on having a different design on the controller, then mask off areas that you do not want to paint. You can use masking tape for this. Any painters tape like this one should work.

Paint the Controller

You can now use your acrylic paint to paint the controller. Try to have the paint as thin as possible while maintaining an even coat. This will ensure that it doesn’t feel too bad when you hold it in your hands. 

Once you have an even coat, leave the controller to dry for at least 30 minutes. You can then decide if it needs a second coat. Acrylic paint dries pretty quickly, so make sure you don’t walk away from your project.

If you are painting an additional pattern onto the controller, then wait for everything to dry, grab your detail paintbrush, and paint those details on. The wait another 15-20 minutes for it to fully dry. You can also speed up the process with a handheld heat gun. Just make sure you step back and gently dry it.

Sealing Your Controller

You can finish up by adding a matte or glossy clear coat to the controller. This will not only give you a brilliant finish, but it will help to prevent the acrylic paint from chipping away as you use your controller. With anything acrylic paint, it’s always recommend to seal your paint.

For a glossy finish, this spray is my top pick. If you prefer a matte finish, this one here works great!

Reassemble the Controller

Now that everything is done, you can reassemble the controller. It is now ready to use! Remember, you should not be painting the buttons on your controller. It will ruin them. Make sure everything snaps back in place and looks good.

Final Thoughts

Painting your gaming controller is a great way to add a touch of personality to it. Whether you’re painting an Xbox, a Playstation or a Wii controller, make sure to follow all my recommend steps to ensure your project goes smoothly.

Don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your acrylic painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!

The post Can You Use Acrylic Paint on a Controller? appeared first on Acrylic Art World.

If you are a painter and you realize that you are having some allergic reaction symptoms frequently, you might be allergic to something in the paint. So can acrylic paint to cause allergic reactions? Yes, it definitely can. You can be allergic to some of the ingredients in acrylic paint that can cause an allergic reaction.

In this article we go over everything you need to know about allergies to paint, what those symptoms look like, and how to treat a paint allergic reaction. Let’s read on!

Can Acrylic Paint Make You Sick?

In most cases, acrylic paint is not toxic because it is a water based paint. If acrylic paint contains any toxic chemicals, they will be clearly marked on the label of the paint. In another one of my articles, I talk about acrylic paint being toxic.

However, if there are toxic ingredients in the paint, they usually only become toxic if they are used to airbrush, if they are sanded down, or if large amounts are ingested. 

Arylics are typically safe to use as long as you are using them for painting purposes. It is not likely that acrylic paint will make you sick. There are even kid friendly acrylic paints out there, such as this one, that are non-toxic.

Companies are now making sure that most of their paints don’t contain harmful chemicals, so everyone can enjoy them. My top recommend acrylic paint brand is Arteza. They have a huge selection of colors, and they are also non-toxic!

Does Acrylic Paint Have Formaldehyde?

Acrylics are known to contain small amounts of formaldehyde to act as a preservative. Only those who already have a sensitivity to formaldehyde would experience any kind of allergic reaction to the ingredient. There is such a small amount included that it should not cause any kind of issues.

Formaldehyde might also be used in acrylic paints to prevent the growth of mold. Since they are water-based products, they risk mold growing within the tubes they are in. In a few cases, formaldehyde can cause eye, nose, or throat irritation, but that’s if you already have an allergy to it.

I always recommend washing your hands right after painting, especially if you have sensitive skin. You can also wear gloves if you’d like, to help avoid getting paint on your hands.

How to Treat Acrylic Paint Allergy

There are some precautions you can take to avoid being irritated by acrylic paint. The first thing you can do, is reduce the amount of exposure by making your workspace safe. Try opening windows, using fans, or painting outside if needed.

If you are using acrylic paint in an airbrush machine, it’s highly recommended you wear goggles and a mask to avoid ingesting the paint particles, which can be dangerous. I recommend this face mask for airbrushing or even sanding acrylic paint.

If you’ve noticed that the paint is making you itchy where it makes contact, you should wear gloves when handling the paint. You can use reusable cotton gloves, or even the plastic disposable ones. Also consider wearing long sleeve shirts and pants to avoid any paint contact on your skin.

If you are painting and notice you are having a hard time breathing, step away and get some fresh air. You can also read a follow-up article about paint allergy symptoms here.

If the reaction is on your skin, you can try this Cortizone itch cream, or an oatmeal bath would work as well.

Paint Allergy Symptoms

Symptoms of an allergy to acrylic paint can include a sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, and cough. You might also experience watery eyes. These symptoms occur when you inhale the fumes or they get in your eyes.

If you have a skin sensitivity, a paint allergy will show itself in another way. You might experience skin irritation, discolored skin or rash, itchiness, and blistering in some cases. If you are severely allergic, you might also experience burning and swelling.

Always get medical help right away if you are experiencing severe allergy symptoms.

Safety Tips

Acrylic paint releases chemical fumes into the air as they dry, so it is important to make sure your working area is properly ventilated. If you paint indoors on a small canvas project, you won’t really notice or be bothered by the smell.

As mentioned above, if you are airbrushing or sanding acrylic paint, it’s recommended to only be done outside or in a very well ventilated area.

Keep all food and drinks out of your studio or painting area. This can be hard to stick to, but it is possible for some of the paint and fumes to get into your food and liquids, especially from your hands.

What Chemicals Are in Acrylic Paint?

To prevent an allergic reaction while you are painting, it is important for you to be aware of what is in the paint. Here is a list of some of the most common chemicals in acrylic paint.

Pigment

Paint needs color, and that color comes from pigments. Pigments are granular solids. They are broken down into little particles and do not dissolve into the paint, so they remain suspended. Pigments have the ability to be organic, natural, inorganic, and synthetic. 

Binder

Binders are what keeps the pigment in place after the paint has dried. Acrylic paint uses an acrylic polymer that forms a film over the paint after the water has evaporated.

Vehicle

This is the part of the paint that carries the binder and the pigment. In a water-based acrylic, water is the vehicle that creates a polymer emulsion when it combines with the binder. When the water leaves, the paint dries, and a clear polymer film is created to trap the pigmented particles.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

VOCs are chemicals like formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, toluene, and acetone. These chemicals are most harmful when they are inhaled and can have a negative impact on the human body. If exposed for too long, it can cause problems with kidneys, liver, and the nervous system. (This would be a problem only if you are ingesting tons of paint.)

Cadmium

Cadmium is most commonly used in yellow acrylics. This chemical is generally harmless and can not enter your body through the skin. If you happen to inhale any dust particles of cadmium, it can trigger issues with the respiratory tract and the kidneys. If ingested, it can also cause organ damage.

Cobalt

Cobalt is known to be good for human health when used in small quantities, but can be dangerous when too much is used. It can lead to asthma and pneumonia if breathed in or swallowed.

Manganese

In large concentrations, inhalation can cause lung irritation and can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia in severe cases. If inhaled in excessive amounts, manganese can cause poor bone health and symptoms that resemble Parkinson disease, like shaking. If you are pregnant, have liver disease, or anemia, you should avoid any paint with manganese.

Chromium

When around too much chromium, you will likely experience nose irritation and breathing issues. It is also common to develop allergies to products containing chromium. If chromium sits on your skin, it can cause dermatitis and eczema reactions. 

Titanium Dioxide

This chemical is naturally occurring and has been used in things like makeup, sunscreen, and paint for decades. It is considered to be of low toxicity, but it is possible for it to be unsafe depending on how it is being used. 

Titanium dioxide is most commonly used as a pigment in white paint called titanium white.

While all these chemicals can have harsh reactions and side effects, it’s very unlikely that you will have a reaction if a small amount of paint gets on your skin. Painters get dirty and covered in paint sometimes, so as long as it’s washed off after, you should be fine.

If you already have allergic reactions to certain chemicals, always be cautious by taking the proper steps to protect your skin.

Final Thoughts

If you are experiencing allergy symptoms when you are around acrylic paint, you may have an allergy to one or more of the chemicals in the paint. Acrylic paint contains ingredients that can cause allergic reactions when inhaled or when touching your skin.

Most acrylic paints are non-toxic, and they can be used by anyone including kids. If you think you might be allergic to acrylic paint, there are precautions you can take to prevent a reaction. Try painting in an area with plenty of ventilation by opening windows or putting in a ventilation system.

Don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your acrylic painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!

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