Painting allows you to dive into your deepest imagination and bring it to life. Whether you’re a professional painter or not, painting becomes so much easier when you have the right medium of paint and paper. Thus, for acrylic painters, it’s a common question whether they can use acrylic paint on mixed media paper.
Acrylic paint can be used on mixed media paper. It does not require the painter to mix water. Additionally, it eliminates the need for priming while preparing the acrylics. The surface of mixed media paper is suitable for acrylics as it lets the paint stick properly. Adding details to the paint on top of the acrylic does not change its color.
While you consider purchasing mixed-media paper for acrylic paints, there are some things to keep in mind. Without proper guidance and technique, acrylic can prove to be a mess on mixed media paper. You should also know why and how acrylic paint is suitable for the paper type. For proper guidance on creating a masterpiece with acrylics, keep reading.
Reasons Why Acrylic Paint Is Good For Mixed Media Paper
The most significant reason why acrylic paint is good for mixed media paper is the paper’s surface. It has a vellum drawing surface with relatively less texture. Acrylic paint can easily sit on such a surface. In addition, the acrylic paint will stick better if you apply a coat of gesso to the paper.
Most mixed-media papers are free of acid and wood. Hence, a coat of acrylic paint can act as a base layer for the paint. Afterward, you can apply gouache, watercolor, oil paint, ink, pastel, and other mediums over acrylic paint. It will also make painting easier. It will make the paper flexible, especially if gesso has been applied underneath the acrylic.
Similarly, it is safe to apply acrylic paint over other mediums of paint that have been applied on mixed media paper. For instance, you can apply it over colored pencils and even ink. In many cases, painters can even manage to apply it over watercolors on mixed-media paper. If applied carefully, it will not make the painting wet again.
As acrylic paint can stick on mixed media paper, it can prove to be vibrant. It is because it leaves a bold effect on mixed media art. Thus, acrylic will be more suitable if you’re looking to create vibrant paintings within your budget. It is also worth noting that mixed-media papers are affordable and budget-friendly.
Mixed media papers are light and thin, while acrylic paint dries quickly. It indicates that it reduces the waiting time for drying and applying another coat of paint. And since the material of the paper is light, the paint quickly dries up, which might prevent it from curling up on the edges of the paper. As a result, acrylic paint is a good choice for such paper.
Things To Keep In Mind While Painting on Mixed Media Paper with Acrylic
While working with acrylic paints on mixed media paper, there are several things to keep in mind. It is because you need the right consistency in the paper. You do not want to create a mess after putting in all the effort.
Firstly, you need to check the quality of the mixed media paper. There are different types of mixed-media papers with different textures. Here, it is always best to purchase high-quality paper. Most well-known brands’ manufacturers meet the quality standards.
Pigmentation is necessary. And only durable and high-quality paint can bring about high pigmentation to make the painting vibrant. It is because it can absorb the acrylic paint better without bending the paper. Such paper will also have more texture or a rough surface.
Secondly, the weight of the mixed media paper matters when working with acrylic. If you decide to stir a lot of watercolor with a high concentration of acrylic paint, select heavyweight paper. There are different weights of mixed media paper, and lightweight may not suit acrylic.
Using acrylic paint on lightweight paper may cause buckling on the edges of the paper. It may ruin the art, especially if your painting is diluted. Thus, try purchasing one hundred to three hundred pounds of mixed media paper. Its thickness is more suitable for acrylic paints.
Thirdly, use watercolor blocks of various sizes while applying acrylic on mixed media paper. As the paper is similar to watercolor paper, it may buckle up on the edges. The blocks prevent artists from crossing the border of the painting, especially when the acrylic is diluted.
Moreover, a painter will not need to prepare the mixed-media paper by stretching it. It is because the blocks will prevent the paper from having waves on it. However, you should apply gesso as the base before brushing acrylics. It will maintain the color quality of the paint.
3 Techniques For Creating Mixed Media Art With Acrylic
If your favorite medium of painting is acrylic, you should consider creating mixed media art. It will involve combining all the mediums with acrylic to create unique art. Here are three simple techniques that you can try:
1. Acrylic and Watercolor
Mixed media paper is best for these two mediums. Using watercolor first and then acrylic over it gives you a perfect texture. Here, after drying, it becomes thick and waterproof. As a result, there’s less chance of the media mix paper warping.
You may want to create the background of the painting with a thick layer of watercolor. It will avoid sharp edges. Next, you may use acrylic to draw or paint unique details.
2. Acrylic and oil paint
Underpainting, impasto, filling, and glazing are possible using acrylic and oil paint on the mixed media art. The role of acrylic paint in such paintings is to create more fascinating designs. However, note that you should brush acrylic over the oil paint.
Moreover, underpainting with acrylic paint lets the painting dry faster. As a result, it reduces the wait time for adding further details to the art. You may also quickly apply another layer of paint if you dislike the settings of the paint.
3. Acrylic and mica powder
If you want extra pigmentation in your mixed media art, try using acrylic and mica powder. The combination of the two gives a metallic touch alongside pigmentation. Painters usually use this technique to create marble paintings.
Now, it involves mixing the two paints using a palette. Place the desired amount of acrylic on it and add a small amount of mica powder to it. Here, try mixing the same color of powder with acrylic paint. Then slowly mix the two, making sure the powder doesn’t blow off.
Conclusion
If done right, acrylic paint on mixed media paper can result in a masterpiece. Make sure to remember all the details before using the techniques while painting. It requires a passion for painting; no matter which medium of paint and paper you use.
I hope you can get the best out of your acrylic paint. Wishing you a fun and thrilling painting experience!
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