Picking Paints 101
Before you go to the store or consider ordering online, it's a good idea to know what you need. Read this guide to get some expert advice about choosing the right paints for you. This article will give you the rundown on
acrylics, and other lesser known paint types.
Paint Types
Each type of paint is specific in what it does and what it is used for. However, not one type is actually better than the other. It all depends on what your needs are. If you're just starting out, you might want to experiment with a few different types of paints and colors to get a feel for what you like. While this might be more expensive, you will be learning from experience and therefore benefit in the long run. Here's a quick guide to what to expect from the different types-
* '''Acrylics-''' Acrylics are definitely the most popular and widely used paints for all skill levels. They are easy to use and versatile when it comes to what you can do with them.
**
pro paints. They often contain fillers and are not as thick as the professional stuff. They also don't have the same clarity or lightfastness.
**** Artists' paints are made of pure pigments, giving them a richer and more vibrant hue.
****
Exterior paint grade is designed for use outdoors and is the only grade that will hold up to elemental damage.
****
Scholastic grade paint is produced with young artists' and students' needs in mind, therefore it is not as rich in pigments.
*** '''Best Painting Surfaces'''
**** Heavy and textured surfaces are the best for painting.
**** Canvas, heavy duty paper, masonite, and hardboard are all good and sturdy choices for acrylic painting.
****
Craft acrylics are best used on less conventional painting mediums, like wood, fabric, and metal.
* '''Oils'''paint'>oil paints and therefore most people consider them to be of highest quality.
** Because they have an oily base, painting done in oil might take a very long time to dry. Sometimes they need a minimum of even one to two months before they can be varnished.
** Slowly drying paint is ideal for maximum opaque layering and blending techniques.
** Oils can be versatile and used for lighter strokes, but most of hte time they are implement for creating vibrant, thick hues.
** The hard part is cleaning-for your brushes you'll need some sort of solvent and some paint thinner, as well as soap and water.
* '''Watercolors'''perfect for the painter on the go.
** Watercolors are very fast drying, making them easy to acheive different shading and layering techniques with.
** By simply adding water, it's easy to correct some mistakes by lifting them away gently.
** Watercolors make the white space on the page appear more prominent, since it will show through the actual paint.
** Watercolors are solids, not liquids, so they are easy for travel and transport.
** These are the easiest to wash off your brushes-all you need is water.
* '''Gouache'''soluble paint, often grouped in the same category as an acrylic.
**
Gouache dries fast with a matte-like finish.
** They are similar to watercolors, but more opaque and light reflecting.
** These are popular paints found in folk art.
* '''Hybrids'''-These are more of a drawing supply since they don't require brushes.
** '''Pastels'''
***
Pastels are extremely portable.
*** They are easy to use for both blending and adding contrast.
*** These are very easy to smudge and usually messy.
*** You're going to need more than just the three primary colors.
** '''Watercolor Pencils'''
***
Watercolor Pencils are easy to take with you wherever you go.
*** Technique-wise, all you do is color like you would with a color pencil. Then, go over the lines with a wet paintbrush to blend or build up color as you would with normal watercolors.
*** You can try and layer colors, but these are mostly transparent shades.
*** Watercolor pencils dry quickly.
*** Easy cleanup-all you need to do is wash off your paintbrush.
Popular Brands
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Aquafine
*
Buff
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Cryla
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Daler Rowney paints
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Golden Artist Colors
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Holbein
*
Van Gogh
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Lascaux
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Liquitex
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Old Holland
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Prismacolor
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Rowney
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ShinHan
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Utrecht
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Winsor and Newton
