Acrylic Paints

We supply fine quality acrylics to budding and professional artists all over Australia. Catering for all budgets with everything from the most elite to the most affordable brands, we stock Golden Acrylic Colours, Derivan Matisse , Atelier Interactive , Amsterdam Acrylics, Jo Sonja & Mont Marte to name just a few. Looking for paint accessories? We have those too.

Acrylic paints, comprised fundamentally of pigment and binder, offer a versatile medium for artists. Pigment, used in powder form, provides the colour, while the binder, which can be a liquid acrylic polymer emulsion or a gel, imparts adhesive qualities that are pivotal for the paint’s application on various surfaces. The pigment-to-binder ratio is crucial as it affects the colour strength, the shift in colour from wet to dry, and the surface sheen of the final artwork. Acrylics dry relatively quickly due to the evaporation of water, a property that also helps retain the paint’s flexibility when dry, thereby reducing the likelihood of cracking, unlike some natural and other synthetic paints. When diluted with water or mixed with mediums to reduce surface tension, these paints can be adapted for a range of techniques including staining or watercolour methods. To fully exploit the potential of acrylic paints, consider blending them with different mediums such as gels or pastes to create rich textures.  Experimenting with various brushes and techniques can also significantly alter the appearance and depth of your artwork. Lastly, proper storage of acrylic paints is essential. Ensure paints are kept tightly sealed and stored away from direct heat and moisture in a cool, dark place to maintain their quality and extend their usability. By understanding both the inherent properties of acrylic paints and employing these practical handling tips, artists can effectively harness and maximize the medium’s broad potential.

When you're ready to dive into acrylic painting, don't forget the essentials! You'll need a variety of brushes for different strokes and effects, and palettes where you can mix your colours to get just the right shade. It's also handy to have sponges or palette knives, which are great for creating unique textures and layers. Make sure you've got the right surfaces too, whether it's canvas, paper, or something more unconventional that you plan on decorating. And, of course, an easel to hold your canvas makes the painting process much easier. Even better, while you're here, why not check out our paint brushes and other art supplies? Because when you spend more than $100 you get free shipping Australia-wide! Equip yourself with these tools, and you'll be all set to express your artistic vision with acrylic paints.

Types of acrylic paint

Professional Acrylic paint: Offers the highest pigment load and usually the largest colour range, no fillers matting agents of opacifiers are added to the paints that ensure little to no colour shift between wet & dry they also offer the most vibrant colours, and characteristics that can vary noticeably from colours including transparency, staining capacity, tinting strength and drying times. Brands to look for include:

• Matisse
• Golden
• Atelier

Artist paint: Artist paint ranges include a little less pigment in the mixture and may contain some fillers but are usually made using very similar processes as professional paint. The characteristics of each pigment are maintained but with less intensity than the professional paints and may result in colour mixing not having the same clarity. Brands to look for include:

• Amsterdam
• Mont Marte Dimension 
• Chroma A2
• Jo Sonjas

Student acrylics: Offers less coverage of paint than the artist ranges due to a lower pigment load and the addition of fillers. However this comes at a more affordable price point. Nevertheless, they are a fantastic option for teachers, students and hobby painters. Brands to look out for include:

• Mont Marte 
• Chromacryl

Heavy body acrylics: Formulated to have an exceptionally smooth, thick texture this  buttery paint offers a similar consistency to oil paints. Palette knife and brush strokes are retained once dry, making it the perfect paint for traditional art techniques as well as bold brushstrokes and blending. Brands to look out for include:

• Matisse Structure
• Golden Heavy Bodied
• Mont Marte Dimension

Fluid acrylics: Fully pigmented paint that flows from the brush more easily and can be used for pouring, puddling, drip and staining. Many artists believe they are actually stronger than the heavy body colours due to their greater leveling. Thinning fluid acrylics with water is much easier than thicker heavy body acrylics. Brands to look out for include:

• Golden Fluid
• Matisse Flow
• Matisse Fluid

For artist acrylic paint supplies at affordable prices, look no further than Art to Art. Order online today for same day dispatch. Even better, while you're here, why not check out our paint brushes and other art supplies—because when you spend more than $100 you get free shipping Australia-wide!

FAQ

What is acrylic paint used for?

Acrylic paint is a widely used medium for painting on a variety of surfaces, from canvas  to wood, metal, fabrics and ceramics. 

Is acrylic paint waterproof?

Although water-soluble, once dry, acrylic paint is somewhat water-resistant. However, a coat of acrylic paint should not be considered a water-proof layer. To protect your creation from water damage, especially if it is likely to be outside, you will need to apply a protective coating of varnish or other sealant over the top.

What is acrylic paint?

The basic raw material components of acrylic paint are pigment and binder. Pigment is used in powder form. Binder, available as liquid acrylic polymer emulsion or a gel, gives the paints their adhesive qualities. The quality of paint relies on its pigment-to-binder ratio. This ratio determines colour strength, colour shift from wet to dry and surface sheen. 

Acrylic paints and mediums dry relatively quickly due to the evaporation of water. Their colour also retains excellent flexibility when dry, greatly diminishing the possibility of cracking that can occur in natural and other synthetic paints. When mixed with water, or mediums to reduce surface tension, acrylics can be used for staining or watercolour techniques.

Is acrylic paint beginner friendly?

Absolutely! The acrylic medium is considered to be the easiest paint to work with and it dries very quickly. Acrylics are used widely in schools and beginner art classes for this very reason. 

Is Acrylic Paint Washable? Here's What You Need to Know

When it comes to acrylic paint, the washability depends on whether the paint is wet or dry.

Wet Acrylic Paint: If the paint is still wet, you're in luck! Acrylic paint can be easily cleaned up with just water. This makes it user-friendly and convenient for quick adjustments or accidental spills.

Dry Acrylic Paint: However, things change once the paint has dried. Dried acrylic paint is incredibly stubborn and difficult to remove. This tenacity is a double-edged sword; while it makes the paint almost impossible to wash off most surfaces, it also ensures durability, especially on fabrics. Items painted with acrylics can withstand the rigors of machine washing without the design peeling or fading.

Summary-  In essence, wet acrylic paint is washable with water, but dry acrylic paint is not. This dual nature is what makes it ideal for both temporary projects and permanent designs.