|
using acrylics
projects and techniques
Murals
| Fabric
Painting | Painting
on wood | Colouring
wooden framed nylon skin boats | Airbrushing
| Gel transfer
| Stenciling
and printing | Collage
& decoupage | Different
Surfaces
Murals
Acrylic paints are ideal for use in mural work. In fact
the very first acrylics were formulated for the work of
Mexican Muralists in the 1950’s.
House paints, though available in many colours, always contain
opacifiers for coverage, so tend to be more subdued and
give less vibrant colours than artist’s acrylics.
The most important factor in successful adhesion is the
suitability and preparation of the underlying surface.
A primer coat of… Walls previously painted with latex
should be thoroughly cleaned with a commercial strength
cleaner, then lightly abraded with sandpaper to create a
rough surface for the acrylic paint to grip on to. A problematic
wall can still be used for a mural if panels of plywood
or other suitable material can be affixed securely.
Nootka mural
All the KROMA colours are suitable for indoor murals. For
outdoor mural painting there are, however, some colour considerations
to be noted. Though rated excellent in lightfastness, the
cadmium colours are not considered weatherfast, being especially
sensitive to the combination of light and moisture, and
so outdoor use of these colours should be avoided. Suitable
alternatives can be found in the hansa and naphthol ranges.
Zinc white has a tendancy to "chalk" when used
outdoors and so titanium white should be used instead.
In some locations or situations it may be appropriate to
apply a clear protective layer over a mural to prevent damage
from scuffing and dirt in high use areas or to allow for
the easy removal of possible graffiti. Solvent based clear
"Varathane" products or commercially available
"Anti–graffiti" coatings can be used for
this purpose, but the mural must be fully cured before this
process and there must be no possibility for moisture to
become trapped under the sealed surface, or blistering and
adhesion problems may occur. Using a water-based sealant
will allow the acrylic paint to breathe, and allow moisture
to escape, but may be less durable. Note that some non-acrylic
clear coats may yellow with age.
Enderby mural community murals coordinated
by Frances Hatfield, Enderby B.C.
To see more mural projects
go to KROMA
in the community
top
of page
Fabric
Painting
Paint market as "fabric paint" is often acrylic
paint. Although not formulated specifically for fabric painting,
KROMA acrylics are suitable for most fabric painting applications,
including decorating T-shirts. In the theatre and film industry
acrylics are used in "break-down" to make costumes
and props appear appropriately distressed or worn. The colours
can be used directly on fabric, lightly diluted with water
to a brushable consistency. Use brushes, sponges, stencils,
… whatever you like. To apply an even colour to a
larger area, the paint should be diluted further to allow
it to penetrate the fabric. The amount that the paint should
be diluted will depend on the weight of the fabric and the
style of the painting. Heat setting is not required, but
for the paint to be fully cured allow four days to dry in
a warm non-humid place. Once fully dry the paint is permanent
and machine washable.
Acrylic on canvas
Acrylic on t-shirt
top
of page
Painting
on wood
KROMA paint can be applied directly onto wooden surfaces.
Unprimed wood, such as the red cedar used in traditional
west coat native work, may tend to draw the paint into or
along the grain preventing sharp edges from being drawn
easily with the brush. To prevent this "bleeding"
the wood can be prepared or "sized" with several
layers of diluted clear fluid acrylic medium.
Opaque colours, such as the earth tones and cadmiums are
easiest to work with on wood. To show up well on wood, the
brighter, more transparent colours, like the phthalos and
quinacridones should be blended with white, or applied in
diluted layers over a light background. An additional layer
of clear acrylic medium can be added to the finished work
to create a uniform sheen, or conversely, matting materials
can be blended into the paint to create a dull surface to
match the sheen of the less shiny wood.
Painted little wooden houses
  
Diana Zoe Coop’s wooden chair,
birdhouses
 
Artist Lyle Campbell
top
of page
Colouring
wooden framed nylon skin boats
KROMA acrylics have been successfully used to colour the
nylon skin of hand made wooden boats. Bulletproof nylon
fabric is stretched over the wooden skeleton. The paint
is heavily diluted with water, in a stain like application,
allowing it to penetrate the fibres of the fabric. An even
colour has been created by applying several layers of diluted
paint, which was allowed to dry completely between coats.
The skin is then sealed with solvent-based polyurethane.
Benzi yellow :
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 1 coat |
2 coats |
3 coats |
4 coats |
5 coats
+ 8 coats polyurethane |
This kayak was made during a course at
Brewery Creek Small Boat Shop.
To find out more about this process refer to the book written
by, published by, or contact them at:
Brewery Creek Small Boat Shop
1000 Parker Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
V6A 2H2
Tel: (604) 618-7546
E-mail: robert@brewerycreek.ca
Go to their website
top
of page
Airbrushing
Airbrushing is useful for super-realist effects, soft shadows
and highlights, or simply to create a uniform surface without
brush marks. For use in an airbrush we recommend thinning
KROMA paint with water and clear fluid acrylic medium. The
exact proportions required will vary from colour to colour,
as each pigment has different characteristics. The full
extent of a transparent pigment’s brightness and hue
can be most clearly seen when airbrushed in layers over
a white surface.
"cubes"
top
of page
Gel transfer
A layer of clear acrylic gel can be used to transfer a photocopied
image onto a different surface such as a stone tile, canvas,
even a t-shirt. Once the gel is dry the paper that the image
was on is soaked off in water.
Transfer on slate tiles
top
of page
Stenciling
and printing
potato printing
top
of page
Collage &
decoupage
Clear acrylic mediums and gels can be used as archival quality
adhesives in collage, decoupage and mixed media work. They
will remain flexible and will not crack or yellow with age.
They will noticeably outperform and ‘glue’ (which
is often polyvinyl acetate) for this type of work. They
can also be used to coat finished work, to strengthen and
protect, or to create a unified sheen. The acrylic medium
and artists colours are also great for paper-mache for the
same reasons and with the additional benefit of adding strength
and flexibility to the object.
collage
top
of page
Different
Surfaces
Acrylics can be applied to almost any non-greasy surface.
KROMA acrylics are ideal for colouring or decorating many
surfaces as they are flexible and waterproof once dry. All
the colours are lightfast and (with the exception of zinc
white and the cadmium red and yellows), are suitable for
use in outdoor projects. For the best adhesion, a smooth,
glossy surface should be lightly abraded before applying
paint and should be free of all wax and oil.
bracelets (leather)
  
Jerry Whitehead’s orcas in the
city (fiberglass)
Jerry Whitehead’s work at Brittania
Elementary
acrylic on stones
cork
Plant pots
Theater blocks
Murals
| Fabric
Painting | Painting
on wood | Colouring
wooden framed nylon skin boats | Airbrushing
| Gel transfer
| Stenciling
and printing | Collage
& decoupage | Different
Surfaces
top
of page
|
