Acrylic Paint Techniques | Acrylic House Paints

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Voted by Pretoria News Readers on the 27 November 2009....

Voted again on the 30 November 2010 by the Pretoria News Readers.

Acrylic Paint Techniques

According to Wikipedia acrylic paint is a fast-drying paint containing pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion.

Acrylic Paints can be diluted with water, but become water- resistant when dry. Acrylic paints were first made in the 1950’s. Acrylic house paints are also known as Latex paints

Acrylics have their own advantages

Acrylic paints have three dimensional effects

One can add various substances for different effects, when using acrylic paints

Acrylic Paints can be thinned down using water

Acrylic paint dries Fast

Acrylic painting is a very versatile method of painting. Acrylic paints come with a wide variety of densities (or viscosity), from really thin, like ink, to thick like clotted cream.

Acrylic latex paint applies really smoothly, wears well, and cleans up really nicely.

Latex acrylic paint does, however have an oil base, contrary to belief, however the base is water-soluble. Therefore it is easy to wash brushes and rollers with warm soapy water.

Paint Techniques with Acrylic Paint

Painting techniques can add interest and beauty to a room. A little skill and practice is necessary, but the results are really worth the effort.

Combing is a painting technique which can transform a plain surface such as a terra cotta pot, a wall, or even items of furniture into something quite unique:

This is how it is done:

Apply a base coat of acrylic paint

Cover the first acrylic coat with a glaze or complementary colour

Pull the teeth of a combing tool through the glaze or contrasting colour to reveal the base coat of acrylic paint

The result? A striped finish that resembles the grain of wood.

Why not go one step further and make the pattern plaid, or checkerboard?

Now that you have had the opportunity of trying out combing, why not go one step further and try other ways of decorating your space

Marbling, and colour washing are also really beautiful when tried and tested – why not make this your next DIY Project?