Acrylic paint is a top choice for many artists. Originally created in the 1950s and used as house paint, acrylic paint has grown into a very popular paint option for artists, people who do block and screen printing, and many more people in need of easy-to-use, fast-drying paint. And at Bondi Art, we supply many artists all over Australia with top-tier acrylic paint for different purposes. If you’re in need of vibrant colours, artist acrylic paints, and fast delivery, look no further than Bondi Art Supplies. We make it easy for experienced artists and beginners alike to find non-toxic, professional acrylic paint sets along with other supplies such as oil paints, brushes, and other art materials. To order your own set of high-quality acrylic paints, all you have to do is head to our website. From there, you can place an order, pay for the supplies, and wait for the delivery right to your doorstep!
What’s the difference between different Brands of Acrylic Paint?
As you would have noticed walking into an art supply store, there are so many different brands and types of acrylic paints. It can be overwhelming, particularly if you are just starting to find your way with painting. The following blog post is a guide to the different varieties of acrylic paint – keep in mind, though, selecting paint is a personal process dependent on the kind of painting application and style you are hoping to achieve, and it also comes down to personal preference – I have learnt over the years to make up my own mind about which paints and brands I prefer, and this to my mind is the best way to find what works for you! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us [email protected]
Step one to choosing your acrylic paints is to decide on what kind of quality of paint you will buy. This step can also be applied to other types of paint like Oil and Watercolour.
Generally, there are two grades of paint – Artists’ Quality and Student Quality. The major difference between these types of paint is that the higher quality will usually have a higher concentration of pigment – making them more expensive, but also making the colours more pure, permanent and noticeably cleaner to mix between colours. Student Quality paints should not be ignored, though! These paints are often just as consistent to use as their expensive rivals, generally made using the same pigments just in lesser quantities making the tubes more affordable. The best thing to do is just try them and see what you think. Don’t let your teacher tell you to buy the top quality budget-breaking brands when you are just starting out – go with a mid-range paint until you get a feel for it, and you can always graduate to the top-quality stuff.
Below are some of the Acrylics that we have and use at Art Shed, and I have covered some of their unique qualities and what sets them apart from one another.
Dimension Acrylics are a high-viscosity fine art paint that is great for a range of applications, predominantly when used thickly, they retain body and texture. While the affordable price might lead you to think this is a low-grade paint, this is, in fact, not true. Mont Marte Dimension acrylics are produced to meet all testing standards for Artists’ quality paints and have very high lightfastness ratings. Since the arrival of this paint, we have seen many professional painters switching over from the more expensive brands as they find Dimensions to give a comparable result.
In terms of affordability and quality, these paints are also on par with the Dimensions, also meeting standards of an Artists quality paint, but produced to be affordable. This paint dries to have a more satin finish and has a smooth and flowing consistency. Satin Acrylics have a lightfast rating of 6 or above (equivalent to ASTM2). This means that the pigment will remain unchanged for 50-100 years under museum lighting conditions. They have strong colour intensity, great coverage and a semi-matte finish with a smooth, medium-viscosity consistency.
Atelier Interactive has the consistency and pigment quality of a higher-end Artist quality paint. The key difference that sets it apart from other Acrylics is its unique formulation that allows the painter to keep the paint open for an extended period of time, allowing for blending and workability. This is, in fact, the first Acrylic to allow for ‘Controlled Drying Techniques’, allowing longer open times with the simple addition of water spritzed on the surface of the paint.
Another Professional quality acrylic with unique characteristics and maximum pigment load. Atelier Free Flow sets the benchmark for quality fluid acrylics. This fluid and vivid acrylic dries to a velvet matte finish. Use it stand-alone for any acrylic painting techniques, such as underlying washes, fine detail or over painting – also great for fluid pouring techniques.
Heavy Body Artist Acrylic Paint, also referred to as High Viscosity paint, has a thick consistency for traditional art techniques using brushes or knives and for experimental, mixed media, collage and printmaking applications. Impasto applications retain crisp brush strokes and knife marks. This paint has a higher pigment load than most other heavy-bodied acrylics giving you richer and clean mixing colours.
The Amsterdam Standard Series are made based on a 100% acrylic emulsion and high-grade pigments. Enjoy great lightfastness and a choice of opacities. This medium viscosity paint is easy to work with and offers a smooth colour when applied independently. These acrylic paints are value priced and easy to use, making them an excellent choice.
Comments (3)
Which is better?
By: Verite Temple on 5 February 2021
I am currently using A2 acrylics, but in my search at home for something in the art room I came across some Chromacryl paints. My question is which one is the better one for a student and hobbyist?
Art Shed Online Response
Hi! Thanks for your question. The Chromacryl paints are fantastic for both students and hobbyists alike as they come in an economical 2L size, which is great while learning and exploring with acrylic paint. Feel free to reach out to our team at [email protected] if you have any more questions or queries. 🙂
Monte Marte Dimension Acrylics work for me
By: Sara J Kingston on 22 January 2019
I have just started doing fluid painting and by chance I picked Monte Marte for my paints and the results are amazing, the colours stay true and mix really well together. I only wish the Dimension range did more metallic choices like a metallic black for example, otherwise I love this brand they hold there shape when I do dot painting and hold their colour when I mix with my fluid medium for acrylic pour painting. Please check out my Facebook page Art Crazy Kingston to see my results, you won’t regret using them.
Art Shed Online Response
Hi Sara, Thanks for your comments. We totally agree with you. The Mont Marte acrylic paint range is fantastic to use for so many different application including fluid art. You could try adding some Opal Dust Medium or Iridescent Varnish to the standard colours to add that metallic shimmer you are after!
Dimension Acrylics definitely worth consideration
By: Malcolm Roach on 3 February 2018
Years ago, I bought Monte Marte watercolour paper and was disappointed with the poor quality. The result being that I avoided this brand. Recently I bought Dimension Acrylics, because there are so many brands available, why not try them all? I like Dimension Acrylics. The quality is good, I have mixed them with others and find they work well. I am not a profession artist, have a limited budget and these fit in well.
What Makes Acrylic Paint So Special?
Before we get into the reasons why you should buy acrylic paint and why it is a great option for any experienced artists or first-timers, we need to figure out what acrylic paint exactly is. Basically, acrylic paint is a pigment suspended in acrylic emulation. This allows the paint to dry quickly and offers water-resistant properties once dry. And depending on your style of mixing paints, you can get a finish similar to watercolour painting techniques, oil painting, or gouache. But that isn’t the only reason acrylic paint is so special. Here are a couple of benefits to acrylic paint and why you should consider using it for your next project;
Acrylic Paint Isn’t High-Maintenance
Acrylic paint can make art accessible. Unlike oil paints, artists don’t need a wide variety of supplies and tools when creating an acrylic painting. To start using acrylic paint, all you need is four different tools. A paint brush, a cup of water, surfaces (or supports), and of course, the actual acrylic paint. Additionally, you don’t need high-quality tools to start using acrylic paint. In fact, when using this medium, the most expensive tool you’ll need is the acrylic paint itself. Since it’s such a low-maintenance medium, you need to make sure to buy the best acrylic paints available for you. And for high-quality acrylic paints, you don’t have to look any further than Bondi Art Supplies. We stock up on different types and the most popular brands of acrylic paints on the market today. At Bondi Art Supplies, you can find professional acrylic paint and budget-friendly student acrylics that offer vibrant colours without busting the bank.
Acrylic Paint Is Consistent
Another advantage of using acrylic paints is that you are in control of the finish. As mentioned earlier, the way you mix the acrylic paint has a significant effect on the final texture. So, if you want something similar to oil painting styles or something closer to watercolour techniques, you can adjust the ratio of the additive and the acrylic paint to adjust the texture. Acrylic paint is a great option for beginners. This is because acrylic paint allows artists and students to create to experiment with different mixing techniques and styles to achieve a different final texture. It’s very important for artists to have the freedom to experiment to create their own distinct styles. And with acrylic paint, you get all the room for experimentation you will need to achieve your artistic goals.
Acrylic Paint Is Fast Drying
When you use acrylic paint, you don’t have to wait days for the layers to dry up. Unlike oil paints that take a really long time to dry up, you can apply a new layer of acrylic paint after a few hours. This allows for a much quicker painting process that can open the gates of creativity and keep it flowing. Some artists prefer working in the moment, and long drying times can get in the way of their flow. Acrylic paints are a great solution to that. Another advantage of fast drying is that applying the layers quickly allows you to layer bright hues without worrying about muddying the colours. On top of that, you can shorten the time it takes acrylic paint to dry by applying thinner layers. This painting technique also allows for a unique aesthetic with a fluid characteristic.
Acrylic Paint Opens a World of Artistic Opportunities
The possibilities are endless when you use acrylic paints in your art. Since acrylic paints are so versatile, you can apply very thick layers that take on a 3D texture. This gives the painting a sculptural quality and is a very integral characteristic of acrylic painting techniques. With most other popular painting mediums and styles, artists are confined to a two-dimensional space. When you add a new dimension to your artwork, it becomes a more immersive piece that captures the eye in a completely different way. Many famous artists and experienced professionals in the field have expressed that acrylic paints are one of the most versatile mediums. And one of the reasons this is a common sentiment among artists is due to the fact that you can layer acrylic paints and enter a whole new space. This is why acrylic paints aren’t just for beginners or novices. In fact, there are many options for student acrylics, professional acrylic paint sets, and options that lie in between the two. And at Bondi Art Supplies, we stock up on all the acrylic paints an artist would need. That way, we can be your one-stop-shop for art supplies anywhere in Australia. Whether you’re an art student in Perth or a professional in Darwin, make sure to check out the Bondi Art website for special offers and deals when you’re running low on tools.
Types of Acrylic Paint
While acrylic paints are very versatile, you still need to choose the right one for the job. There are many different types of acrylic paints on the market, each of which has its own unique qualities. On the Bondi Art website, you can find all types of acrylic paint. But even with the world of options available at your fingertips, if you don’t know the type of acrylic paints you need, none of the choices will matter. So, here’s a quick rundown of the different types of acrylic paints, when you should use them for your paintings, and the types of techniques the paints aren’t suited for;
Soft Body Acrylic Paints
The defining factor of soft body acrylic paint is its texture. It has a similar viscosity to that of heavy cream, which makes colour mixing and colour blending much easier. This is one of the more popular acrylic mediums as it still has a large number of pigments inside it, which provides vibrant and distinct colours. This rings true whether you’re using basic colours or applying colour mixing techniques to achieve very specific pigments. This paint does a great job at retaining brush stokes, though it doesn’t work as well as heavy body acrylic paints. You can use soft body acrylic paint straight out of the bottle. Alternatively, you can also mix it with an acrylic medium to give you more control over the consistency and final colour.
Heavy Body Acrylic Paints
If you’re looking to retain the texture of your brush strokes, then heavy body acrylic paints are what you need in your workshop. They have a high viscosity and are known for their very thick texture. Because of this, many artists use acrylic mediums to thin down the paint a bit. However, you can also use the thick texture to your advantage. You can give your strokes a unique and distinct characteristic on your canvas and even play around with the texture by using different brushes and hairs.
High Flow Acrylic Paints
These are not designed for beginners. While they can be difficult to use, they also provide a very unique and modern aesthetic, which is why high flow acrylics are a common choice for artists. The beauty of these types of acrylic paints is that they offer the same flexibility, vibrance, and aesthetic as traditional professional acrylic paints but offer a much higher flow rate. In fact, high flow acrylic paints are akin to ink, which offers a unique take on a classic style of painting. With that said, high flow acrylic paints are hard to come by. But at Bondi Art, we offer a wide range of high flow acrylics that you can use with an airbrush or making paint markers. High flow acrylic paint doesn’t even have to be the star of the show. Many artists out there also use these paints for fine details and textures that add to the overall aesthetic of the final artwork. Again, one of the most beautiful things about acrylics is their flexibility. You can use it as the main medium, or you can use it in combination with different types of paint to get just the aesthetic you need.
Different Grades for Different Artists
The thing about art materials is that they can be expensive, especially if you look for professional-grade options. That being said, there’s nothing wrong with professional paints. These offer more vibrant colours and are just higher quality in general. However, not everyone can afford or even needs paints of this quality. That’s why there are distinct grades of acrylic paint depending on their price and quality. Generally, acrylics are divided into three categories; artist, student, and craft acrylics. The artist’s acrylic paint options are obviously the most expensive and premium. The student-grade options are middle-of-the-pack options. These won’t be as high-quality as artist-grade paints, but they aren’t as expensive either. These are great for people looking for a high-quality finish without busting the bank. Lastly, there is craft paint. While these are the cheapest acrylic paint options, they are best used for crafts. If you try to use them in traditional paintings, you might be let down by the results. But if you need cheap and affordable paint that you can use on different surfaces for block and screen printing or other applications, you may want to check out the different craft acrylics available.
We stock up on a wide variety of different brands at Bondi Art Supplies. We are dedicated to providing all kinds of artists with all the art materials they need. So, you can expect to find some top-tier expensive brands as well as other wallet-friendly options that are still pretty high-quality for the price. When shopping at our store, you can even filter our specific brands, so you only view the options that you want or need. If you’re looking for acrylic paint online, Bondi Art will spoil you with options. There’s a reason we’re one of the go-to online art supplies shops in the country. And one of them is the fact that customers can rely on our site to have a lot of variety in terms of products, which makes for a more pleasant overall shopping experience. So, whether you’re an experienced painter looking for the best acrylic paint on the market or a student or hobbyist looking for materials for your next art project, you won’t go wrong shopping online on Bondi Art’s website.
