Acrylic paint has become a popular medium for beginners and experienced artists. What distinguishes acrylic paint from other paints is its ingredients. Acrylic paint is made by combining powdered pigment and acrylic adhesives. Another variety of acrylic paint, the vinyl acrylic, is made by combining polyvinyl acetate resin instead of acrylic resin.
Benefits of Vinyl Acrylic Paint
Vinyl acrylic paint is a popular choice due to its low odor. Many people find they are bothered by the scent of other paints, especially oil paints. The acrylic paint is water based, but becomes water resistant when dry. It may be used to seal and protect surfaces, and will adhere to almost any material. This paint dries incredibly quickly and can have a shelf life of over a decade.
Varieties of Vinyl Acrylic Paints
Vinyl acrylic paint can be divided into two categories: artist grade and student grade. Artist grade acrylics are made with acrylic resin and a high concentration of pigments. Once dry, the colors will appear more vibrant. Student grade acrylics, which include vinyl acrylics, contain less pigment and more fillers. Vinyl acrylics are much less expensive than artist grade acrylics. For beginners or for a large scale project, vinyl acrylics are recommended.
Handling Vinyl Acrylics
Due to its ability to dry rapidly, consecutive layers of color may be applied easily. Since acrylic paint is water based, adding more water to paint allows the artist to control the density of color. This medium gives the maximum creative potential. The paint can be textured using professional tools or something as common as a fork.
Surfaces and Preparation
Surfaces should be clean and free of any grease and oil. Vinyl acrylics will bind to almost any surface, as long as it is not slick. On a new plaster surface the wall should be primed using a commercial primer/sealer designed for raw plaster. Vinyl acrylics often come in larger quantities, such as paint cans for big projects. In preparation this paint should be stirred and never shaken.
Suppliers
Small quantities of vinyl acrylic paint can be found at any arts and crafts or artist supply store. Popular vendors would include stores like Michael's. For large-scale projects and large quantities of vinyl acrylics, there are online providers. Companies such as Rosco and Krylon provide high-quality paints in a variety of colors and sizes.