Acrylic paint is available in a wide selection of different types, varieties, qualities and consistencies. The most popular types which you are likely to find on art supplies websites and in your local art supply store include Student Grade, Artists Grade, Gouaches, Specialty and Craft Acrylics.

Artists Materials Online is a UK based retailer of art supplies selling a wide selection of Artists Acrylic Paint including the professional range of Liquitex Acrylic.

Student & Artists Grade Acrylics
Student-grade acrylic paint is generally the least expensive paint which could be used for acrylic painting. They have similar working properties to the more expensive artists’ varieties and generally have less pigment. Although. Over the past decade advancements have been made by many of the top paint manufacturers to improve the quality of student grade paints it is still always advisable to use artists quality paint if it can be afforded.

Artists’ quality acrylics are also sometimes referred to as professional-grade. Typically, this type of paint will is made up of a higher proportion of pigment and a reduced amount of filler compared with student grade acrylics. It is more expensive to buy, partly due to the extra costs involved in manufacturing. Although, it is possible to cover a greater area with the same amount of paint due to the greater intensity of color. In addition, the pigments used in the manufacturing process are also more expensive and superior to those used in student grade acrylics. Artists’ acrylics are the preferred choice if you can afford them.

Gouache
Acrylic Gouache paint has some similarities to watercolors, the main differences being that acrylics will dry quickly and permanently and can not be reanimated with water once they have dried. Another difference is the size of the particles – which are significantly larger than in watercolor paint. Acrylic gouaches also have a greater intensity of color than watercolor with greater opaque and reflective qualities.

Specialty Acrylic Paints
Specialty acrylic paints have a wide variety of properties and can be used to create unique painting effects.  They are available in professional grade and the lower priced craft grade. Some of the main types of specialty acrylics include Iridescent, Light Interference, Glitter and Fluorescent paints;

  • Iridescent Acrylics have a metallic appearance such as gold, silver, aluminum or copper. It is also possible to buy one which has a pearl-like appearance.  They can be used on their own to create a startlingly dramatic effect or mixed with other acrylics to create a sheen effect.
  • light Interference Paints appears to change color according to the viewpoint of the observer due to differing reflective qualities of the paint.  It occurs when light is both reflected and refracted simultaneously.  When this type of paint is applied over a dark surface it can have an even more dramatic effect. They are often used in the painting of a fantasy scenes or when depicting light interference qualities which are found in nature.
  • Glitter Paints contain large metallic particles and are available in a range of metallic colors including silver, gold and copper.
  • Fluorescent Acrylics reflect a high level of bright color and appear to glow. The glowing effect can also be achieved by backlighting a painting which has this type of paint.

Craft Acrylics
Craft acrylic paint generally comes in small bottles which have pop-up tops. This type of paint has a smooth consistency, resulting in the painted surface having a non-transparent and non-three-dimensional effect. Caution should be used when painting a vertical surface or wall because it does have a tendency to drip and run. Craft acrylics are generally inexpensive and are well suited to be used for creating murals and decorative paintings.

The rise in popularity of acrylics is mainly due to its extreme versatility as a painting medium and relatively low cost. With such a diverse range of acrylics paints available limitless creative possibilities are available to the artist.

Artists Materials Online sells vast range of Artists Acrylic Paint including Liquitex Acrylic.