The Many Varieties of Acrylic Paint Explained
As the founder of Willa Workshops and Fodder School, I’m here to clear up some common questions I receive and invite you into this joyful, slightly addictive world of creating the good stuff that makes your mixed media sing.
Acrylic paint comes in a variety of forms tailored for different applications, techniques, and levels of expertise.
Here's a breakdown of the main types of acrylic paint and the pros and cons of each:
Heavy Body Acrylics
Thick, buttery consistency similar to oil paint. Highly pigmented.
Pros:
Great for texture and impasto techniques.
Retains brush strokes and palette knife marks well.
High pigment concentration = strong, vibrant colors.
Cons:
Dries quickly, which can limit blending time.
Can be too thick for fine detail work unless diluted.
Soft Body Acrylics
Smoother, more fluid than heavy body but still pigmented.
Pros:
Good for detail, glazing, and smooth brushwork.
Ideal for blending and layering.
Can be used with airbrushes and pouring techniques (with additives).
Cons:
Less texture than heavy body paints.
May require multiple layers for strong coverage.
Fluid Acrylics
Even thinner than soft body; ink-like viscosity.
Pros:
Excellent for fine detail, staining, and airbrushing.
Strong pigmentation despite fluidity.
Great for pouring and transparent layers.
Cons:
Runs easily—can be hard to control without experience.
Not ideal for impasto or textural work.
High Flow Acrylics
Very thin, almost like ink.
Pros:
Perfect for calligraphy, pen work, and airbrush.
Dries quickly and adheres well to non-porous surfaces.
Excellent for mixed media and fine line work.
Cons:
Can bleed on absorbent surfaces.
Low opacity unless multiple layers are applied.
Acrylic Gouache
Matte finish paint combining acrylic and gouache qualities.
Pros:
Opaque and flat matte finish, great for graphic work.
Doesn't reactivate with water like traditional gouache.
Good for layering and design work.
Cons:
Matte surface can be fragile and prone to scuffing.
Can be harder to blend smoothly due to fast drying.
Pretty expensive!
Interactive Acrylics
Formulated to stay workable longer; can be rehydrated with a special medium.
Pros:
Extended working time ideal for blending and soft transitions.
Reworkable with special mediums.
Cons:
May be less consistent in drying behavior.
Requires dedicated mediums for full reactivation.
Open Acrylics
Slow-drying acrylics, mimicking oil paint behavior.
Pros:
Long drying time = excellent blending and subtle gradients.
Ideal for plein air and traditional oil techniques without solvents.
Cons:
Longer drying means slower layering.
May remain tacky in thick layers or humid environments.
Acrylic Ink
Liquid pigment in an ink-like consistency; often comes in dropper bottles.
Pros:
High-flow, high-intensity color.
Great for calligraphy, illustration, and watercolor effects. Good for splatter effects too!
Cons:
Very permanent—stains brushes and surfaces.
Easily overflows and spreads uncontrollably without practice.
Craft Acrylics
Budget-friendly paints designed for decorative or general-purpose use.
Pros:
Inexpensive and easy to use.
Comes in a wide color range.
Good for crafts, wood, and home decor. AND GREAT FOR BEGINNERS IN MIXED MEDIA AND ART JOURNALING!
Cons:
Lower pigment load = weaker colors.
Less durable and more chalky finish.
Not archival or professional-grade.
Student vs. Artist Grade Acrylics
Student Grade:
Cheaper, lower pigment concentration, more fillers.
Good for practice and learning.
Artist Grade:
High pigment concentration, consistent quality.
Better lightfastness, vibrancy, and longevity.
Can be really expensive.
Matte Acrylics
Matte acrylics are acrylic paints formulated to dry with a flat, non-glossy finish. This includes paints like acrylic gouache or matte medium-modified acrylics.
Pros
Amazing for working in art journals and junk journals because your pages won't stick together.
Non-reflective finish:
Great for photographing or scanning artwork—no glare.
Ideal for illustration, graphic design, or work that will be digitally reproduced.
Consistent color appearance: Matte surfaces don’t shift appearance under different lighting like glossy ones do.
Good for layering: Subsequent layers stick well due to the slight tooth of the matte surface.
Pleasant texture: Often has a velvety, paper-like feel—favored by illustrators and designers.
No need for varnish (aesthetic-wise): The finished look is already flat and professional without gloss-enhancing coats.
Cons
(While these are the official cons of Matte Acrylics, I have found no issues at all while using them for my mixed media and collage purposes!)
Can scuff or mark easily: Matte surfaces are more vulnerable to damage and may need a protective varnish.
Less color vibrancy: Matte finish can dull down the richness or intensity of colors compared to gloss or satin.
Challenging blending: Fast drying combined with flat finish can make blending transitions harder.
Increased absorbency: Soaks in more readily, so paint may dry darker or unevenly if not applied consistently.
Less flexible: Matte films can be more brittle, especially in cold temperatures or on flexible surfaces.
You can enroll in the FREE course Mixed Media 101 and become a part of the community of makers in Willa Workshops right here:
