Acrylic Paints

Acrylics are this collage artist's best friend. I love their fast-drying properties, smooth consistency, and brillant colors. They can be applied thick with a palette knife; watered-down like a watercolor to produce a thin wash, or diluted with various mediums for glowing glazes. Did I mention, they dry quick?

A little different approach, let's talk techniques before my favorite brands and additional acrylic mediums.

Fat Over Lean
Fat over Lean is the layering of a oil-ier (fatter) layer(s) over drier (leaner) layers. It promotes proper drying and prevents cracking in one's artwork.

Glazing
Oh, what can I say, one of my favorite techniques. Think "faux finished walls" only in one's artwork. It is achieved by layering a thin, transparent color over another color. It can be a time-consuming process but worth all the effort you'll make. What makes it so time consuming? Each layer must dry completely before the next is applied. Why is it one of my favorite techniques? Did I mention how quickly acrylic dry?

Impasto
Impasto is thick strokes of color applied in a textural manner without a thinner that is created by either a brush or a palette knife.

Scumbling
Scumbling is applying a dry brushed layer of opaque paint over a dry surface. Because the paint application is irregular ---- underlying color shows through.

Wet-into-Wet
Wet-into-Wet is achieved by applying wet paint over a wet surface. Why would you want to? Wet-into-Wet allows for some amazing blending of colors and creates the most beautiful soft edges.

Direct painting
Direct painting is achieved by simply painting an underlaying painting then by the technqiue of glazing over the top.

Underpainting
Underpainting is a detailed painting technique usually with a monochromatic palette that acts as a foundation for the rest of the painting. Think of a white snowy background with hints of light blue and greys. Mixing two monochromatic palettes within a piece is artwork is ideal. It is perfect for landscapes such as sky and sand.