The Many Varieties of Acrylic Paint Explained
As the founder of Willa Workshops and Fodder School, one of the most common questions I receive from students is:
"What kind of acrylic paint should I buy?"
The answer depends on how you like to create.
Acrylic paint is one of the most versatile supplies for mixed media artists because it can be used for art journaling, collage art, creative practice, beginner mixed media projects, fodder making, layered art, gel printing, junk journals, artist books, and canvas work.
Whether you're just starting your mixed media journey or you're looking to expand your creative toolbox, understanding the different types of acrylic paint can help you choose the right paint for your style, budget, and favorite techniques.
Here's a breakdown of the most common types of acrylic paint, along with their pros, cons, and best uses.
What Are Heavy Body Acrylic Paints?
Heavy body acrylics have a thick, buttery consistency similar to oil paint and contain a high concentration of pigment.
Best For:
Texture and impasto techniques
Palette knife work
Layered mixed media art
Canvas painting
Expressive mark making
Pros:
Excellent for creating texture
Holds brush strokes and palette knife marks
Strong, vibrant colors
Highly pigmented
Cons:
Dries quickly
Less blending time
Can be too thick for fine details unless diluted
What Are Soft Body Acrylic Paints?
Soft body acrylics have a smoother consistency than heavy body paints while maintaining strong pigmentation.
Best For:
Art journaling
Layering
Mixed media backgrounds
Glazing techniques
Smooth brushwork
Pros:
Easy to blend
Great for layering
Suitable for detailed work
Versatile for many mixed media applications
Cons:
Doesn't create much texture
Some colors may require multiple layers
What Are Fluid Acrylic Paints?
Fluid acrylics have an ink-like consistency but still contain highly concentrated pigments.
Best For:
Collage art
Layered backgrounds
Gel printing
Fine details
Transparent washes
Pros:
Smooth application
Strong pigmentation
Excellent for pouring techniques
Great for creating transparent layers
Cons:
Can be difficult to control
Not suitable for heavy texture
What Are High Flow Acrylic Paints?
High flow acrylics are extremely fluid paints that behave similarly to ink.
Best For:
Fine line work
Doodling
Mark making
Mixed media details
Stencils and airbrushing
Pros:
Flows easily
Excellent for intricate details
Dries quickly
Works well on many surfaces
Cons:
Can bleed on absorbent surfaces
May require multiple layers for opacity
What is Acrylic Gouache?
Acrylic gouache combines the flat, matte appearance of traditional gouache with the permanence of acrylic paint.
Best For:
Illustration
Graphic-style artwork
Art journals
Flat color applications
Layered mixed media work
Pros:
Beautiful matte finish
Opaque coverage
Doesn't reactivate with water
Excellent for layering
Cons:
Can scuff more easily
Fast drying can make blending challenging
Often more expensive than regular acrylic paint
What Are 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.
What are Open Acrylics?
Open acrylics are designed to mimic the longer drying times of oil paints.
Best For:
Blending
Realistic painting
Traditional painting techniques
Artists transitioning from oils
Pros:
Extended drying time
Excellent blending capabilities
Allows subtle color transitions
Cons:
Slower layering process
Can remain tacky in humid environments
What is Acrylic Ink?
Acrylic ink contains highly concentrated pigment in a liquid, ink-like form.
Best For:
Art journaling
Calligraphy
Splatter effects
Watercolor-style techniques
Mixed media layers
Pros:
Intense color
Excellent flow
Great for expressive effects
Versatile application methods
Cons:
Permanent and staining
Easy to spill
Requires practice to control
What are Craft Acrylic Paints?
Craft acrylics are budget-friendly paints commonly found in craft stores.
Best For:
Beginner mixed media
Art journaling
Fodder making
Junk journals
Creative play
Practice sessions
Pros:
Affordable
Easy to find
Available in many colors
Perfect for beginners
Cons:
Lower pigment concentration
Less vibrant colors
Not typically archival
More chalky finish
A Personal Note
Many mixed media artists worry that they need expensive supplies to create beautiful work. In my experience, craft acrylic paints are one of the best places to start, especially for art journaling, collage fodder, junk journals, and creative experimentation.
Student vs. Artist Grade Acrylic Paints
Student Grade Acrylics
These contain less pigment and more fillers, making them more affordable.
Best For:
Learning
Practice
Beginner mixed media artists
Creating fodder and collage papers
Artist Grade Acrylics
These contain higher pigment loads and superior lightfastness.
Best For:
Professional artwork
Gallery work
Long-term archival projects
Pros:
Richer color
Better coverage
Greater longevity
Cons:
Significantly more expensive
Why Matte Acrylic Paints Are My
Favorite for Mixed Media Art
If you've taken any of my classes, you probably know that matte acrylic paints are my absolute favorite.
Many craft acrylics happen to dry matte, which is one reason I love them for mixed media work.
Matte acrylics are simply acrylic paints formulated to dry with a flat, non-reflective finish.
Best For:
Art journaling
Junk journals
Collage art
Fodder creation
Layered mixed media projects
Artist books
Pros:
Pages Don't Stick Together
One of the biggest advantages for art journal artists.
No Glare
Perfect for photographing or scanning artwork.
Consistent Color Appearance
Colors look the same regardless of lighting conditions.
Great for Layering
The slight tooth of the surface helps future layers adhere beautifully.
Beautiful Surface Texture
Matte paints often create a soft, velvety finish that works wonderfully in mixed media.
Finished Look
Many artists love the professional appearance without needing a glossy varnish.
Cons:
Can Scuff More Easily
Matte surfaces may benefit from protection in heavily handled work.
Slightly Less Vibrant
Colors can appear less intense than glossy acrylics.
Faster Drying
Can make blending more difficult.
Increased Absorbency
May dry darker on some surfaces.
My Experience
While these are commonly listed disadvantages, I personally have experienced very few issues using matte acrylics in my collage work, art journals, mixed media paintings, and fodder-making projects.
What Is the Best Acrylic Paint for Mixed Media Art?
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the choices, here's my simple recommendation:
Best Acrylic Paint for Beginners: Craft Acrylics
Best Acrylic Paint for Art Journaling: Matte Acrylics
Best Acrylic Paint for Collage Art: Fluid Acrylics
Best Acrylic Paint for Gel Printing: Fluid Acrylics and Soft Body Acrylics
Best Acrylic Paint for Fodder Making: Craft Acrylics and Matte Acrylics
Best Acrylic Paint for Layered Mixed Media Art: Soft Body Acrylics and Matte Acrylics
Best Acrylic Paint for Texture: Heavy Body Acrylics
Final Thoughts
The best acrylic paint isn't necessarily the most expensive one—it's the one that helps you create more often.
Whether you're making collage papers, filling an art journal, creating fodder for future projects, experimenting with gel printing, or building a daily creative practice, acrylic paints offer endless possibilities for mixed media artists.
My advice? Start with what you have, experiment freely, and don't be afraid to mix different types of acrylic paints together. Some of the most exciting discoveries happen when you stop worrying about the "right" supplies and simply start creating.
You can enroll in the FREE course Mixed Media 101 and become a part of the community of makers in Willa Workshops right here:
