Gesso and an abstract dubbing

 It's always challenging coming up with titles for abstracts but I like the idea of using "Transit of Venus" for this one.


From the book "New Acrylics Essentials Sourcebook:

"When re-priming surfaces, use proper ground, never wall pant. An artist acrylic gesso is designed to be compatible with flexible and rigid substrates. ...A wall paint is designed for a flat, rigid surface and does not carry enough binder and thus will not adhere as permanently to the support, nor will it be flexible enough to weather any structural changes; this type of primer will crack and or flake off and will ultimately have a negative effect on the permanence and structural integrity of the entire piece."


I used to prime my hardboards with just latex paint. On one painting, as I was adding layers, the layers below began to disintegrate and pull off. Lesson learned. Invest in gesso and use it. If you want really smooth canvases or boards, use several thin coats of gesso, sanding (when dry) between coats.

Acrylics like oils

 Buffy    12x12  acrylic collage

This is a good article on using acrylics. Unfortunately, I lost the publisher's information. I try to always give the writer credit and will be more careful in future.

ACRYLICS LIKE OILS

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.