Acrylic Paint: Types, Uses & Application Guide

Aaron Nunez
July 2, 2025
8:19 pm
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Acrylic paint is a fast-drying, versatile, and low-odor paint with a textured finish. It is a synthetic product made of pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion and stabilizers. Unlike oil-based paint, which requires turpentine solvents, acrylic paints can be thinned with water. Although it is water-soluble, once the water evaporates, the pigments and binders come together to create a water-resistant layer. German chemist Otto Röhm first created this paint for industrial use in the 20th century. Later in the 1950s, it gained popularity among artists due to its versatility and ease of use. It is widely used in art, craft, models, decor, and industrial projects.

What are the Key Properties of Acrylic Paint?

Here are the key properties of Acrylic paint:

Property	Description
Base	Water-based
Finish	Matte, satin, or glossy (adjustable with mediums)
Drying Time	Fast-drying (typically 5 to 30 minutes)
Adhesion	Excellent on most surfaces (canvas, wood, plastic, metal, fabric, etc.)
Color Retention	High — colors remain vibrant over time
Flexibility	Dries to a flexible film, resists cracking
Layering Ability	Allows easy layering without lifting previous coats
Cleanup	Easy cleanup with soap and water while wet
Toxicity	Low odor and low VOC; generally non-toxic
Water Resistance	Water-resistant when dry
Compatibility	Works with a wide range of mediums and additives
UV Resistance	Good, especially with artist-grade or UV-resistant formulations
Durability	Good for indoor use; needs sealing for outdoor or heavy-use areas

What are the Types of Acrylic Paint

There are seven types of acrylic paint:

Student Grade vs. Artist Grade
Heavy Body Acrylics
Soft Body Acrylics
Fluid Acrylics
Acrylic Ink
Open Acrylics
Interactive Acrylics

Student Grade vs. Artist Grade

These differ in lightfastness, binder, and concentration. Student grade paints have less pigment and more bulking agents that fade away within a short time. Artist-grade acrylics are highly pigmented with better performance and vibrant colors.. They do not contain fillers, which makes them expensive to purchase compared to student-grade paints.

Heavy Body Acrylics

Heavy body acrylics are thick with creamy consistency. Unlike standard acrylics, they can be applied without being thinned. It is suitable for texture-rich techniques and brushstroke visibility. They are formulated without any fillers, extenders, or opacifiers for a pure and vibrant look.

Soft Body Acrylics

Soft body acrylics are thinner than heavy body paints. They have smooth and fluid consistency, which makes them best for blending, detailing, and layering work. Like heavy body acrylics, they do not hold the brush strokes and peaks.

Fluid Acrylics

Fluid acrylics are smooth and flexible water-based paints with a free-flowing consistency. They are highly pigmented, which makes them ideal for pouring, staining, and fine detail work. Many artists use these colors to obtain oil-like effects. These high-flow acrylics don’t need to be thinned before application.

Acrylic Ink

Acrylic ink has ultra-fluid consistency with intense pigment and the longest lifespan among all inks. It is water resistant and doesn’t smudge after drying. Artists use it for textural work, such as illustrations and calligraphy.

Open Acrylics

Open acrylics are softer in consistency and require hours for drying. Unlike traditional acrylics that dry quickly, it allows wet-on-wet blending for smooth transitions.OPEN Acrylics can be used for traditional printmaking techniques like gelli plate, copper plate, and monoprinting.

Interactive Acrylics

Atelier Interactive Acrylics are highly pigmented with buttery consistency. They can be reactivated after application and provide sufficient time to blend. It can be used to hold peaks and add depth in three-dimensional paintings.

What are the Uses of Acrylic Paint

Here are the five common uses of acrylic paints:

Art and Craft: Acrylics are used to paint on canvas, wood, and sculptures. They also work well for school projects, models, and holiday decorations due to their ability to adhere to different surfaces.
Interior Decoration: It can be used to color mirror frames, doors, and coffee tables. Homeowners also use it to paint walls, vases, and cabinets to add aesthetic colors.
Furniture and Woodwork: Acrylic is widely used on furniture to increase its durability. It can also be used on bed frames, chair legs, and photo frames to add design and patterns.
Fabric and Textiles: It can be used to color hand-knitting yarn, sweaters, hoodies, socks, carpets, and rugs when mixed with a textile medium. Acrylics become permanent after heat setting, so they can also be used for lining boots and gloves.
Outdoor Projects: It is used to paint birdhouses, rocks, and plant pots due to its versatility. It can also be used on wooden benches, fences, gates, and decorations when sealed with a UV-resistant varnish.

What are the Limitations of Acrylic Paint

Here are a few limitations of acrylic paints:

Dries too quickly: Acrylic paints dry within 30-60 minutes due to water as their primary solvent. They take 3 to 4 days for a complete cure and can be varnished after four days.
Darkens when drying: These paints switch color tone due to acrylic binders and solvents. When acrylics are wet, they look opaque due to water retention. As the binder dries, the pigment becomes darker and transparent.
Requires protective varnish: Acrylic paints require varnishing for a uniform appearance. It protects paint from dust, moisture, and holds the original pigment.
Less smooth texture: Unlike oil paints, acrylics do not provide a smooth texture. Artists try to blend it quickly due to less open time, leaving behind visible brush strokes.

What are the Best Acrylic Paint Color Options

Here are the best acrylic paint color options:

Color	Visual Appeal	Common Uses
Titanium White	Bright, clean, opaque	Highlights, mixing, base layers, abstract art
Mars Black	Deep, neutral, dense	Outlines, shading, dramatic contrast
Cobalt Blue	Rich, cool, intense	Skies, water, modern art
Ultramarine Blue	Warm, deep, slightly purplish	Landscapes, shadows, traditional painting
Cadmium Red	Bold, warm, powerful	Flowers, portraits, pop art
Alizarin Crimson	Deep, wine red	Skin tones, shadows, fine art
Cadmium Yellow	Bright, energetic, opaque	Sunshine, accents, abstract highlights
Yellow Ochre	Earthy, warm, muted	Natural tones, landscapes, rustic themes
Burnt Sienna	Reddish-brown, earthy	Skin tones, nature, old wood finishes
Burnt Umber	Dark brown, warm	Deep shadows, wood, backgrounds
Raw Sienna	Golden brown, lighter than burnt sienna	Underpainting, skin tones, sand or earth scenes
Phthalo Green	Strong, cool, jewel-toned	Tropical foliage, surrealism, fantasy art
Sap Green	Natural, mid-green	Trees, fields, organic scenes
Payne’s Grey	Blue-grey, cool, moody	Shadows, night skies, monochrome work
Magenta	Vibrant, bold, modern	Pop art, floral, abstract design
Turquoise	Bright, cool, fresh	Ocean scenes, boho art, accents
Purple/Violet	Royal, mysterious, intense	Florals, fantasy, spiritual or mystical works

How to Use Acrylic Paint

Here is the step-by-step guide to using acrylic paints:

Surface Preparation: Clean and prime the surface well to improve adhesion. Artists often use gesso when painting on canvas.
Brush and Tool Selection: Select synthetic brushes, palette knives, sponges, or even rollers depending on the technique. Use brushes to add strokes and palette knives for 3D paintings. Artists use rollers to spread the paint evenly.
Layering and Blending: Apply thin paint layers first and move to thicker coats for better depth and coverage. Blend it quickly before it dries, and use retarders to increase the drying period.
Using Acrylic Mediums: Mix in gloss, matte, gel, or texture mediums to adjust the thickness and drying time of acrylic paints.
Varnishing and Sealing: Apply a clear acrylic varnish or sealer to enhance the finish. This protective layer protects the artwork from dirt and increases its lifespan.