However, it is expensive and dries fast.
Read on to learn how to get the best out of your acrylic paint.
However, the bang out of acrylic paint you use will determine how fast it will dry.
While some acrylic paint brands take about ten minutes to dry, others stay wet for some hours.
Acrylic paints are available in twocategories: professional and student-grade qualities.
Student-grade are ideal for newbies since theyre cheaper and help you save money as youlearn acrylic painting.
However, they only have basic colors and also dry faster than professional ones.
After youve mastered acrylic painting, getting yourself artist-grade acrylic paint will be the best option.
These paints have longer drying times and a wider variety of colors, producing vibrant pigments.
So theyll let you work for longer, though theyre more costly than student-grade acrylics.
Golden Open AcrylicsandWinsor & Newtonare high-quality brands that have slower drying times compared to other brands.
Its not only disappointing, but it brings along unnecessary replacement costs.
Now, having a paint that you could re-wet once it dries is a life-saver.
If you want to read more about Ateliers slow drying interactive paintsyou can read about it here.
Use Wet Palettes
Apaletteis a surface on which you mix your acrylic paint.
So, it can be a waterproof plastic container with compartments or a disposable paint paper palette.
In addition to these types, there are two other types of palettes: dry and wet.
Dry palettes are simply flat containers, mostly used by oil paint artists.
Hence, its advisable to use a wet palette to keep your paint from drying overnight.
Wet palettesare specifically made to keep acrylic paints wet.
To keep your paint wet, you have to place a specific palette paper on the sponge.
It shows your paint has dried up.
As an alternative, you could use a nonabsorbent palette to store your paint.
The palette is also peelable and wont absorb any moisture from your acrylic paint.
These containers are an ideal alternative to wet palettes as they are readily available.
After youve finished painting, place the paint in a large airtight (or Ziploc) bag.
This will keep your acrylic paint wet overnight and youll have no difficulties working on it the following day.
Keep the Paint in Styrofoam Plates
Styrofoam platesare another alternative to wet palettes or plastic containers.
you’re free to mix your acrylic paint in a Styrofoam plate and use it as a palette.
Then, use a rubber band to fasten them together (ensuring that you dont disturb the paint).
However, use them as a last resort when other storage materials are unavailable.
So, its better to save it for later use by storing it overnight.
Regardless of the container bang out, you must ensure that its airtight to maintain the paints moisture.
Also, dont disturb the paint while sealing it to avoid altering its texture.
Wrapping the palette tightly will protect the paint from having any lumps or drying up.
But, dont overdo it, as this will disturb your acrylic paint.
Still, ordinary plastic containers with lids will do.
These containers will maintain the paints wetness overnight and even for a few more days.
Youll notice that the paint will get back its smooth, creamy texture after this duration.
Dont rush to use it before the time elapses, or the paint will develop clumps.
However, this is not always the best option.
Its advisable to keep the paint off your paint brush or roller by washing it after use.
You only need some warm water and soap to clean the paint brushes.
Removing dried paint on a paintbrush is an uphill task as youll have to use solvents to dissolve it.
Wet palettes help maintain wetness for longer despite the condition youre storing them in.
But, if youre using a regular palette, a non-conducive environment will speed up the drying process.
Environmental factors like humidity, temperature, and airflow can either quicken or slow down your paints drying process.
Acrylic paint will dry faster in a less humid environment (drier air).
Temperature and Airflow
Acrylic paints dry faster when its hot than when its cold.
Hightemperaturestend to increase the paints rate of evaporation.
Now, lets look at how this process takes place.
Acrylic paint consists of some pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer suspension.
The paint is water-based, meaning that you’re free to use water to dilute it.
Moreover, water usually evaporates when you expose the paint, especially when the temperature is too high.
In contrast, when the temperature is lower, acrylic paints will dry slowly.
But it doesnt mean you cant store your paint on hot days.
Let the paint be in an airtight container and at room temperature (20-22C or 68-72F).
