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How messy is acrylic working?
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Message
Posted
For me they aren't messy, and I work in a most unorthadox way... I usually paint on my bed!
There are some spots, and I put my sleeve in the paint and transferred it to my curtains but really all things considered I don't make a mess. I use a pallet knife and have been using a sheet of perspex as a pallet (glass would be much better I think)
Acrylic dries quickly and so if you do make a mess you better deal with it pronto, and keep on top of keeping your brushes clean but I think it is quite manageable to paint in most places without causing mayhem... especially if you have an easel/desk situation. a sheet of newspaper on top and all should be well as long as you don't drop your brush in your lap or pallet on the floor (Because it is guaranteed to end face down)
Posted
I've never had a dedicated studio, probably too mean to acquire one. In my present accommodation, which is a bed sit with attached kitchen and bathroom (fairly grotesque, don't go thinking it sounds idyllic) I have painted for the last 17 years in acrylic, oil, and watercolour. The one medium I'm more careful with is pastel, because there's not much I can do about the dust, but the only time I've had any problem with messy media is when I dropped a bottle of masking fluid on my trousers, and that was obviously using watercolour.
Very liquid acrylics will be mildly messier than heavy-bodied paint, but if you take DaveyB's precautions - you're painting ON your bed, not IN it, I trust? Knowing me, I'd drop off to sleep with a brush in my hand if it were the latter - you should be no more vulnerable to mess than using any other medium.
And we all make a bit of mess - where's the fun otherwise?
Posted
Acrylics are fantastic, go for it! I won't repeat the excellent advice you've already had from the experts, just endorse that if you take reasonable precautions (cover for table if you work on one and drop sheet on floor is a good idea as well) there should be no problems. Any "accidents" need to be dealt with fast. I actually find oils messier, seem to transfer paint from painting to clothes just by looking at the painting!
Posted
If you really want to be messy, you can be as messy as you like. But there is no need to be with acrylics. In fact it is inadvisable to be as acrylic paint is a devil to get off and you may not be able too. whereas watercolour and oils are mostly removable apart from the staining colours. Best to get the Apron or a boiler suit if you are really messy.
Posted
Sorry Syd it was actually top right not bottom right, don't know why I said bottom right. On a closer look it is a large square box so likely contains art materials. And yes, I do get a regular visit to the optometrist although I get called back at about 18 month intervals. Eyes are OK, just said bottom when I meant top! Put it down to having a senior moment!
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