Acrylic Paints... The Masters would have Loved them!

So what's the difference between Oil and Acrylic paintings?  I've been asked this often and it sounds like a good teaching moment.  But ahhh... my title indicates I have a preference, and I do; having worked with both popular mediums.

The big difference between the two is drying time.  Oil paints can take weeks to dry thoroughly where acrylics dry quickly... sometimes too quickly.  I'm fond of a glazing medium I add to the paint which allows me to blend and work with extra time.  Since oil paints have linseed oil in them they produce a glossy finish and acrylics are more of a matte.  Glossy varnishes help to obtain a rich finish when both paintings are done.  The reason I chose  to stop oil painting was because of the toxicity and clean up.  I had to make sure I painted in a well ventilated area and needed turpentine to clean brushes.  Watercolor, and now acrylic paints, are water based so clean up with soap and water.

Oil paintings have been around for hundreds of years.   The German chemist, Otto Rohm, synthesized a water based polymer emulsion in 1901.  Eventually acrylic paints were developed commercially in the 1940's and became quite popular due to drying times, water solubility, and characteristics that mimicked both oil and watercolor.  This flexibility provided artists with unlimited possibilites for expression.
 

Anyone recognize this American artist?  Of course...ANDY WARHOL.  
He was one of the first in the Pop Art movement to embrace acrylic paint.  He explored relationships between artistic expression, advertising, and the celebrity culture...hence, Marilyn, here.

DAVID HOCKNEY, an influential British artist, also recognized the potential of acrylic paints, utilizing it's versatility to capture Vibrancy

GERHARD RICHTER, a German acrylic painter, is well known for his freedom to explore various techniques from realism to abstract with amazing textures and effects.

And finally, PATRICE CAMERON, a contemporary painter of PNW rivers and waterfalls.  (I just had to do this)

​Art is always evolving. 
Artists experiment and create.
 Acrylic paint is a diverse medium available to enable inspired expression.
Keep your eyes on contemporary artists as fresh new works make their way into the art scene.

A big Thank You to those who attended the Local 14 Exhibit & Sale at The World Forestry Center earlier this month.  It was my pleasure to meet some of you.

NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 24
These framed 12x12 waterfall paintings will be part of
the artist's group show sale at
Salem on the Edge gallery
featuring Small Works.

It's been an amazing Spring thru Fall exhibition schedule for me.  I look around my gallery and studio... and where the walls were once filled with artwork...now are kinda bare.  No worries though, Winter is my focused painting time and I'll be in the studio daily.  And yes, using my Acrylic paints!
 
I'll be posting new paintings in each upcoming newsletter, or you can pop onto my website!
Have a turkey-iffic Thanksgiving!
Blessings,

Patrice