Acrylic Painting: Two Secrets
"Beautiful oil painting!" "I love your 'oils'."
Has this happened to you? I have received these compliments about my acrylic paintings for many years. Even my gallery owners have told clients (in my presence) that my paintings were done in oil. Yikes! I have had to do a great deal of verbal correcting such that clients/viewers know which of my paintings are truly created in oil as to those that are in acrylic.
Over time, I have tried to discern what it is about acrylics make folks think they may be oil paintings. For over a decade I have assisted artists with this issue and now it is here for you to read.
A Little Test:
Take a look at the following pieces. Which of these two do you think was painted in acrylic? :
Which Painting is in Acrylic, Which in Oil?
1. Cares to The Wind
2. Daydream
Ok, Try the Next Two - Which is the Acrylic?
No peeking ;)
1. Fields of Gold
2. Summer Smiles
Ok, One More Set...Which is the Acrylic?
I know you'll get this one:)
1. Lavender 'n Lemondade
2. Brand New Day
Last Thing First!
BEFORE I REVEAL which is which, I'll tell you in my estimation what it takes to make an acrylic appear like an oil painting. One caveat, this only holds true with representational or impressionistic paintings. I cannot answer for those who use acrylic for non-objective (abstract works.)
2. Yes, 2. I am giving you the second thing first!! This one aspect alone will make for ease in painting and allow you to work wet-into-wet when needed. Not really a secret but how I use it may be to some new to the media:
Retarder is the key element. You may already be using retarder in your paint. Most brands direct you to use it in your paint - up to 15% retarder to paint. I have done this, but found that at 15%, the paint can lift off of the painting surface and/or take so long to dry that the paint is left with sticky feel. Furthermore, it may be become difficult to paint over top even after the paint has dried..
Instead, I recommend using a small spray bottle (like a miniature travel-sized hairspray size) filled with water and about 10 drops or one good squirt of retarder. Shake well. Whether painting in your studio or outdoors, first spray your painting surface to break the tension and allow for the paint to glide on. Don't overdo this part or you'll end up with a very, very wet application of paint (unless this is the effect you desire.)
Second, spray your paints as soon as you squirt them out on your palette, and spray lightly frequently so you to maximize your investment. You can go hours with just a spritz now and then without the need to discard paint.
Third, in your washing cup or jar, place clean water with a few drops of retarder added. Bingo! All three of your painting areas are covered with a light touch of retarder, enough to keep your work just wet enough to extend workability, but not enough to make a mush of your painting.
If painting outdoors on dry or windy days, you may have to add more retarder to your bottle, water cup and palette. When you want a passage or area of your painting to dry, it will in short order...shorter than if you added retarder itself into the paint.
I spray my canvas frequently when outside to keep the painting going. One of the hallmarks of oils is that you can work wet-into-wet. Doing the above allows you to do the same in acrylics.
What about other mediums like extenders, flow release, etc? Unless you are trying to get a layered effect like glazing in oils, you do not need any other mediums, particularly if you are working alla-prima (in one session.) The more "stuff" you put into your paint the more diluted and broken-up the pigments become. The only thing I see using other than retarder is a medium for glazing...a story for another day.
First Things Last
1. Ok, my golden tidbit of advice. No matter if you are working in oil or acrylic, treat them THE SAME. In other words, do not change your strokes, movements or treatment of acrylic just because it dries faster, etc. The more adept you can become with your style of painting across media the more your work will look like oil, period.
I have used everything from watercolor, casein, and gouache to acrylic and oil. When painting I keep everything the same. The only difference is working dark to light (in oil/acrylic) or light to dark (watercolor, etc.) Strokes remain the same.
The only time this changes is if I am creating a very tight, representational architectural rendering for say an A&E firm. If it is a Fine Art painting I am creating, I almost ignore what is in my hand in terms of material to achieve the same look across all media.
The Challenge
FOLLOWING THE ADVICE ABOVE MAY give your painting the appearance of oil, however, with a caveat. When looking close-up you can indeed tell the difference, especially between an oil painting that has a heavy impostor (thick application of paint) vs. an acrylic painting. Why? Because no matter the paint brand, even the new, thicker acrylic brands, acrylic paint just cannot hold a candle to oils. That beautiful, oil impasto is unmistakable.
There are thickeners you can use in your acrylics. Nevertheless, again, these are additives that can dilute the pigments. Therefore, they still do not hold up as well or flow as nicely as oils. I continue to experiment with any new products that come onto the market. So far, the best thing you can do to make your work look like an oil painting is do the above two things PLUS use MORE PAINT. There have been times where I have been able to emulate oil painting texture by simply using more paint...lots more paint.
If you are a very good painter, you will not need to do this as your technique alone will serve you well.
Why all this talk about making an acrylic look like an oil painting? Because when acrylics first came on to the scene, they had a plastic look. They still can. But with practice and patience, your acrylic paintings can make people say, "Great oil painting," as you smile.
Ta Da! Finally...
Ok, Which paintings above are acrylics? Click on any image above to reveal the media and how each was painted. If you want to save time these are the acrylic paintings:
Set 1: Daydream (#2)
Set 2: Fields of Gold (#1)
Set 3: Brand New Day (#2)
I am sure you guessed one or all correctly. But the point is that you CAN make your work look painterly if and when you want to. YOU control the paint, not the other way around. AND, if you want to have a tighter or looser rendering, you can do so...in acrylics!
All the other little thumbnails are acrylics too. You can't click on them but at least you can see more samples.
Go Gettum!
Further Reading...
- Acrylics vs. Oils: How to Make Your Acrylic Paintings Look Like Oil Paintings
Another article I wrote, that goes into more detail on this subject. - Acrylic Book Recommendations
This is a list of books I highly recommend on general acrylic painting, at my Plein Air Wear site.
It's Your Turn! Please let me know what you think... - I invite all feedback and questions.
Misting retarder is a great tip however I have one misgiving: I don't like sprays or mists as I believe I'll be breathing it in...Especially as I paint all the time... Are you aware of any health risks?
Thanks for the tip about adding the retarder to spray bottle. I am really trying to love acrylics. Your pep talk about "just paint and forget the medium" was great and encouraging. Also to use lots of paint. I will keep trying.
Thanks thanks again Anne Beeton
I'm making the transition from oil to acrylic. In my paintings, I start off with a gray undertone. I then try to paint with a thin wash of color. The issue I'm having is when I place the thin wash of paint to color the gray undertone, I find that the edges of the paint just I just applied creates a dry water mark edge. It doesn't spread out evenly. I diluted the color with water in hopes that it will spread smoothly but it doesn't. Will the water bottle and a drop of retarder fix this issue? I like Greg Simkins style.
Thanks and I look forward to your response
@LDianeJohnson: I am new to all of this, but love painting!! Is there a particular retarder, type of paints, varnish that you prefer? Do you ever spray your acrylic paintings afterwards to protect them? If so, what do you use? Thanks SO much for your help.
i guessed all of them correctly! couldn't help but notice the signatures etched into the oil vs. painted sigs on the acrylic :P i also took notice of the blending around the edges and could see how the oils were worked together more nicely so i didn't feel like a cheater!
This was wonderfully helpful! I had trouble painting the scenes I wanted to with my acrylics, which I did pay a lot for and wanted to use. Thanks to your fantastic advice I can now put them to use. Thank you so much. This was so very helpful! :)
Great advice. Your paintings are beautiful.
https://hubpages.com/art/acrylic-and-oil-paintings... Check out some of my artwork!
Great lens and some fantastic paintings. I use acrylic due to the reduced smell and their adaptability. I agree retarder is a very personal choice and if you use too much the paint just does not dry properly. I think it depends on where you live, work and your climate as to what works best for you as well.
Beautiful work and very nice lens!
nteresting lens. Good ideas, thanks for sharing.
-----------------------------
spray bottles
I got all three right :) but then again, I use acrylics and know how they work ;)
This is one of the best lenses I have read in a while. You are teaching something and explaining very well. Most other "art" lenses are tending to be designed to sell a lot of stuff. Thank you for sharing. Retarder here I come!
Enjoyed your lens. Good tips that I'll try using soon. Thanks!
I got 2 of the 3 right. Don't know how :o) I appreciate the info on use of the retarder which I have never used. Thanks!
good lens and Excellent Useful Tips, i like using acrylic for my artwork,
I actually prefer to say this is acrylic paint, acrylic paint which may be able to do so? such as oil? then you will smile with satisfaction. please come to my lens, I expect your suggestions and criticism thank you very much.
This is very informative and I love the works. Is there any way I can get a painter quote on some of these.
Very informative!
A Great Lens! Exactly the information I needed. I must remember, "You control the paint, not the other way around." Makes so much sense. Thank you.
Nice work, and advice. I too have experimented with various acrylic techniques. I find working very fast can also reap similar results, but is only really viable for smaller paintings.
Excellent tips and welcome to The Painting Group!
Great lens! 5*s from me. :)
~Melody
Great lens! I love the way you crafted it. :)
Beautiful paintings, really. Great tips too.
Sara
I love it. I happen to love art. Great tips. I'd love to have you visit my
Designer Dog Breeds
34