So, you’ve taken the leap and discovered that you can use acrylic paint on metal. Your project is looking fantastic, but you’re not quite finished yet. The final, yet equally important step is to seal your work. Let’s find out how.
Albert Serino Tips on Using Acrylic Paints
Versatile, vibrant and affordable, acrylic paints can be painted on just about anything. Discover how to get started with this type of painting as Brooklyn-based landscape painter Albert Serino shares his top tips for painting with acrylic paint.
If you are working on your painting techniques and want to try acrylic painting, Albert Serino has everything you need to get started. Acrylics are fast-drying paints that can be used straight from the tube, as oil paints, or can be diluted with water, like watercolor. They are extremely versatile and colorful, providing the artist with a wide range of textures and colors.
Acrylics are also affordable, making them ideal for painting large areas. Because these colors are opaque and dry quickly, they are easier to handle because they allow you to cover up mistakes by using more colors.
They can be applied to just about anything and drying will create a waterproof surface. You should be aware of how quickly they dry.
The acrylic paint is oily and smooth, blending on the canvas almost like oil. Because they essentially dry to create a plastic surface, they are ideal for use in multimedia painting. Alber Serino will start with four brush shapes that will be useful for your journey into acrylic painting and what each shape can be used for. He will also cover how to care for brushes — which is a particularly important factor in acrylic painting.
Each artist has his or hers favorite brand of acrylic painting and Albert Serino encourages you to explore what works best for you. The tips in this article can be applied with any heavy acrylic paint, student or professional gradation.
Simple techniques such as blending and blurring have also been introduced to make it easier for you to get started with this wonderful medium. Immerse yourself in the world of acrylic painting, from brush choices to basic techniques.
Acrylic brushes are mostly made of synthetic materials and can be used with different media. Brushes for oil paints and watercolors should not be used. It is important to have a variety of brushes, from small to large.
You will soon discover which ones you prefer, but these four are some of the most common forms you will encounter. The Filbert brush is a great all-purpose brush that can offer a straight or rounded shape.
Choose the Right Acrylic Paint
Not all acrylic paints are created equal, and choosing the right one for your metal surface is key to achieving the best results. Here are some points to consider:
Quality of Paint
Opt for high-quality acrylic paints. They may cost a bit more, but they have higher pigment density, which provides better coverage and longevity. Brands like Golden, Liquitex, and Winsor & Newton have been trusted by artists for years.
Type of Paint
Acrylic paints come in various types: heavy body, fluid, and craft. Heavy body acrylics, which are thick and buttery, and fluid acrylics, which have a consistency similar to heavy cream, work well on metal surfaces. Craft acrylics, while cheaper, may not provide the same level of coverage and durability.
Color Selection
When selecting colors, consider the final look you desire. Metallic acrylic paints can give your project a shimmery, reflective finish, while matte paints will offer a more subdued look. Remember, you can always mix colors to create your unique shades.
Now that you’ve got the right paint, you’re one step closer to bringing your vision to life on that metal surface. But before the paint meets the metal, there’s another important step — preparing the metal surface. But we’ll delve into that in the next section.
Prepare the Metal Surface
Now that we’ve chosen the right acrylic paint, it’s time to get that metal surface ready. A well-prepared surface ensures that the paint adheres properly and lasts longer. Here are the steps you should follow:
Clean the Surface
Any dirt or rust on the metal surface can interfere with the paint’s adhesion. Use a mild detergent and a scrub brush to clean the surface thoroughly. Allow the metal to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Sand the Surface
A smooth surface might seem ideal for painting, but acrylic paint adheres better to a slightly rough surface. Use fine-grit sandpaper to create a slightly textured surface, ensuring the paint has something to grip onto. Remember to wipe away any dust before moving on.
Wipe with a Cloth
After sanding, wipe the surface with a tack cloth. This cloth, slightly sticky to the touch, picks up and holds onto the dust and small particles that your sanding step may have missed.
With the metal surface now clean and prepped, it’s ready to take on the paint. But wait – there’s one more step before we break out the acrylics. It’s time to apply a primer, which we’ll cover in the next section.
Apply a Primer
Before you dive right in with your acrylics, there’s an important step to ensure your paint job lasts: applying a primer. Why is this important? Well, a primer not only provides a good surface for the paint to adhere to but also helps to seal the metal and prevent rust. Here’s how to do it:
Choose the Right Primer
Not all primers are created equal. For metal surfaces, you’ll want to use a primer that specifically says it’s for metal. One popular choice is Rust-Oleum’s Stops Rust line of primers, which are designed to bond tightly to metal to provide a topcoat that lasts.
Apply the Primer
Now it’s time to apply the primer. Use a foam brush to evenly apply the primer across the surface of the metal. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies. Once applied, you’ll need to let the primer dry fully before you can move on to painting.
Patience is key here. Rushing this step could lead to your paint peeling or chipping down the line. So, let’s give the primer the time it needs to dry. In the meantime, let’s move on to the fun part – painting with acrylics!
