Acrylic is also water-based and has the capacity to speed dry, unlike oil. Once dry... it's set. You can glaze it to shine or be dull. You can continue to work and add further glazes and layers as you wish until you reach the desired goal and effect. Acrylic can be watered down to a gorgeous transparent wash that will allow applied papers and other items to be slightly changed so that their original image and color still shines through brilliantly. I was taught in art school by my professors to "work fast." Time is of the essence and time is money. The more time I take at the production of a piece of art, the less art work I will produce. It isn't about working sloppy, carelessly or without thought to the quality of the work. It's about understanding efficiency and the value of being able to manufacture bodies of work in critical time frames. Acrylic paint allows me to do just that. I can paint quickly, efficiently and without the concern of a necessary drying time before getting the painting to a gallery. Also there is the capacity of using so many various other media along with it that gives a freedom to the work that no other has offered. I can apply lots of subsequent layers with other things like pencil, oil pastel, etc. that brings a fresh and fun application of color and fill to the work. Not to mention the clean up process is quick and easy and non-toxic.
I hope you enjoy looking at my paintings and maybe this will help you understand why I make some of the choices I do with my mixed media and acrylic paintings... Here's one to illustrate my point.
"Bohemian Bouquet" 20X24 Mixed Media on canvas (SOLD) Acrylic, acid free papers, pencil, oil pastel |