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We’ve been cooking up the Artist Daily Video Blog for a while now, and I’m thrilled that it’s time to unveil it to all of you. The name says it all—it is a part of the Artist Daily blog that we will be creating in video form. There will be clips featuring interesting artists working...
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Sunset in the Teton Valley by Gil Dellinger, 2008, acrylic, 16 x 20. Almost all the painting I did in college was with acrylics, and most of the students I worked in class with did the same. Painting with acrylics was our best option because the paints were affordable and because of the convenience factor—they...
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Reading Chair, Sims House by Ronald Lewis, 1996, acrylic, 18 x 14. Courtesy Bryant Galleries, Jackson, Mississippi, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Paintings of the sheer peaks of the Alps or serpentine glimmer of the Hudson River showcase the awe-inspiring characteristics of the natural world. But there’s...
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With adequate preparation and the right materials, it's possible to create large acrylic landscapes en plein air. by Andrew Paquette A few years ago, I left the high-stress feature-animation industry in Hollywood, California, and moved to Arizona, where I could devote myself to painting Southwest...
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Q: I am planning an acrylic painting that will measure five feet by six. I am put off by the cost and fragility of a large canvas, so I am considering plywood (or something similar) backed by 1"x3" boards for stability. What kinds of support would you recommend (plywood, masonite, luan board...
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Q: Last week I began to varnish an acrylic painting. When I reached a point where I had added some highlights, the paint just peeled off as the varnish touched it. What could have caused this? Would you recommend spraying varnish on a painting or applying it with a brush? A: The acrylic paint probably...
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Q : I finished an acrylic painting about two weeks ago. Last week I added some highlights to the piece, and this week I began varnishing the artwork. When I applied the varnish, the paint lifted up in a small area of the painting. What happened? How long should I let a painting dry before I varnish it...
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Q : I recently purchased several old architectural blueprint drawings on blueprint paper dating from 1900 to 1930. I would like to mount the drawings on canvas or art board and create an abstract acrylic painting over them allowing certain areas of the old blueprints to show through. What is the best...
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Q : I wish to paint with acrylics on a raw aluminum surface. Which surface preparation/priming is necessary? Also, I may not cover the entire surface with paint. What type of varnish or sealant should I use on the acrylic-painted portion and on the raw aluminum portion? A : Metals are smooth and need...
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Q: I have been commissioned to paint sections of an oak tree that have been cut about 4” thick. The pieces vary in circumference, there is a bark layer around the outside of each piece, and the inside section of the wood has been sanded to a smooth finish. I will be painting with acrylic and would...
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Q: How do I tell if a painting has been done in oil or acrylic? A: For the most part, an acrylic painting will dry leaving a flat finish and an oil painting will dry leaving signs of brushstrokes. On the other hand, there are many mediums that can be added to acrylic paint to simulate the appearance...
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Q: I'm a retiree and I'm taking up painting, specifically acrylic painting, for the first time. Do you have any recommendations on how to get started? A: Acrylic is a great medium for beginners because it is the most versatile type of paint. You can paint on a variety of surfaces—paper...
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Acadia National Park, Maine, USA by Jason Pritchard, 2006, acrylic, 13 1/2 x 10. This week, Colin J. Callahan looks at an acrylic painting from one of our readers and talks about the importance "atmospheric perspective." Coastal scenes are quite challenging. For this work I suggest you look...
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Painting with watercolor requires an understanding of not only the paints themselves but also how to apply them. Like what you read? Become a Watercolor subscriber today! by James Toogood Breakers on a Rocky Coast 2005, watercolor, 24 x 18. Private collection. The predominate color in the water is Prussian...
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This Boston acrylic painter teaches art the way a life coach helps a client achieve life goals. by Bob Bahr Rolli advised students to keep their still life arrangement simple so the emphasis is on painting rather than drawing. Students come to Ellen Rolli to loosen up. Perhaps they want their paintings...