But if you prefer a thicker paint, you can add a thickening medium for the right consistency. It’s easy to add to your needs, and Liquitex produces paint mediums you can use.
Different Types of Acrylic Paint and Comparing the 4 Most Popular
Meet Sara, a 30-year acrylic painting veteran. Specializing in paint mixing to create stunning new colors, she’s not only undertaken numerous commissions but also independently sold her captivating art. With over a decade of art gallery management, Sara’s profound understanding of the art world shines. Dedicated to helping her new painting pals find success along their artistic journey, she is committed to staying up-to-date with techniques and trends, making her a valuable resource for beginners to acrylic painting.
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If you’re just starting to explore painting, you’ll notice that there are a ton of different types of acrylic paint and it can be so overwhelming. Do you use student grade? Why is heavy body so expensive? Is it okay to use craft paint? AAAGGGHHH!
Take a deep breath, friend, and let me tell you all about the types of acrylic paint, how they’re different, and when you would use them.
In This Article.
- Different Types of Acrylic Paint
- Heavy Body
- Student Grade
- Soft Body/Fluid
- Craft Paint
- Acrylic Inks
- Acrylic Paint Pens/Markers
- Comparing 4 Different Types of Acrylic Paint
Different Types of Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint can come in different consistencies and different “grades”. Here are six types of acrylic paint that most people are familiar with or have at least heard of:
- Heavy Body
- Student Grade
- Soft Body/Fluid
- Craft Paint
- Acrylic Inks
- Acrylic Paint Pens
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty, shall we?
Heavy Body
A lot of people will call this type of acrylic paint “professional grade” and they aren’t wrong but there are other types of professional acrylic paints, as well, so keep that in mind.
The key tidbits:
- Thick creamy consistency that reminds me of soft butter
- High pigment (color) load
- Covers really well
- Holds its shape
- Best used when you want texture or using a palette knife
Buying Guide to the Best Acrylic Paint Set
Getting started with acrylic paint can seem a bit intimidating. But here’s a quick and simple guide to acrylic paint for beginners. First, I’ll cover the different types, mediums, and the acrylic paint grading system.
If you’re new to acrylic painting, I recommend that you don’t skip this section. You’ll understand so much more about acrylic paint if you stick with me for a few minutes!
But if you’re already a professional artist, feel free to stick straight to the product reviews below.
Types of Acrylic Paint
Did you know that there are several different types of acrylic paints? Knowing this can help you buy the right paint for your needs.
But let’s go back to basics and answer the question, what is acrylic paint? The simplest definition is that it consists of pigments in a polymer suspension. It’s this acrylic polymer suspension that makes the paint even and smooth.
There are other components, including preservatives, thickeners, and defoamers. These additives ensure that the paint has the correct thickness and is long-lasting.
Although there are several types of acrylic paint, each has the same basic formula. Then, it may have specific additives to make it perform in a certain way when used. That makes it more suitable for a type of media or technique.
Here’s a quick guide to the different types of acrylic paint:
Heavy Body Acrylic Paints
This type of acrylic paint is the most similar to oil paints. So, if you’re confident with oil painting, it could be a safe choice for any beginner acrylic painter.
Heavy body paint is one of the thickest types of acrylic paint. It creates a vibrant look on the page with visible brushstrokes. It’s also easier to mix colors and make unique shades, blending them together. So, you can create nice gradient effects with heavy body acrylic paint.
Soft Body Acrylic Paints
In contrast, soft body acrylic paint is ideal for any intricate work. It’s much thinner, with a smooth consistency. So, you’ll find it easier to manipulate and use for tiny details. It also lends itself well to any dry brushwork or watercolor techniques.
Fluid Paints
Fluid acrylic paint is the runniest consistency. As it’s thin, it’s not always easy to use, but it’s perfect for pouring. The colors come out rich and vibrant, thanks to the lightfast pigments used in the formula. You can also use fluid paints for spraying and dry brushwork.
Acrylic Ink
If you’re curious about trying new media, consider using acrylic ink. It’s a fun and versatile option that you can apply using a pen, paintbrush, or even pouring. That’s because acrylic ink is very thin, like fluid acrylic paint. But it dries with a smooth, glossy look and rich, vibrant colors.
Interactive Acrylics
Interactive acrylic paint is like regular paint, with one key difference. It produces the rich, vibrant colors of acrylic paint. But you can use a special formula to keep this paint wetter for longer. That gives you more time to blend colors and create the perfect painting. So, you have a lot more control over your creative process.
Acrylic Gouache
If you’re familiar with regular gouache paint, you may be interested in acrylic gouache. This paint dries with a matte, water-resistant finish, unlike regular gouache.
Acrylic Spray Paint
Acrylic paint comes in all sorts of forms, including spray paint. The best thing about acrylic spray paint is how versatile it is. You can use it for all sorts of surfaces, but you’ll need to take care when using it. I would recommend working outside or in a well-ventilated area.
Acrylic Paint Mediums
Mediums are similar to the additives already in the paint. But as you can add them to the paint, it gives you more control over the paint you use.
You can use these mediums to create the perfect consistency, texture, or finish. It can even allow you to alter the drying time to give you more time to work on your painting.
The best thing about paint mediums is that they’re pretty simple to use. Add a little at a time, mix, and test out the paint until you have the desired effect. That’s all there is to it.
So, you don’t need to be nervous about using mediums in your acrylic paint. Anyone can try them out – you don’t need to be a professional artist!
Retarding Medium
If you need more time to work on your painting, you could use a retarding medium. It prevents your acrylic paint from drying up, so you can work on it for longer.
Modeling Paste
Modeling paste comes in handy if you want to create a multimedia piece. You can use it to build up a 3D effect on your canvas or even attach other materials. So, it can make your artwork stand out and become more eye-catching. You’ll need to mix it with your paint and then build up layers that will harden when they dry.
Texture Gels
Do you want to create a different texture for your artwork? Then, you can use texture gels that contain materials like sand or glass beads. It’s a safer option than DIYing it with regular sand, as you’ll get a more consistent, cleaner result.
Glazing Medium
Glazing medium is another great addition to your toolkit. You can use it to make your paint more transparent, which is handy if you want to blend colors. But make sure you buy a glazing medium specifically for acrylic paint, or it won’t work.
Gloss and Matte Medium
Acrylic paint naturally looks glossy when it dries. But if you prefer a matte finish, you can add a matte medium to your paint instead. Then, it will look less shiny and polished.
But if you want your painting to look even shinier, you could add extra gloss medium. You can experiment with how much or even use a combination of the two for a different effect.
