What portrait paints are best to use? Acrylic and oil paints appear to be the most popular, followed by water color paints. Truthfully, the types of paints selected have much to do with your personality, working style, and personal choice.
The Old Masters used oil based paints and they made their own tints. Their pigments were rich in color intensity and their skill level displayed realistic details.
Contemporary paints used in portrait painting have been improved tremendously from those former years. Paints and their thinners of today are odor free and not as hazardous. The advancement of new technology and information for safe use has brought new qualities to oil paints and their solvents of thinners.
Acrylic paints are great for people with allergy concerns. The changes of the chemical ingredients have made them compatible with water making these products non-hazardous and allergy free. Acrylic will clean easily if wiped before drying. Once the paint has dried it is water proof and permanent.
Water color paints may be used; however, errors cannot be covered. What portrait paints you choose will depend on your skill level and what you wish to achieve in the portrait.
As you browse among the paints in the retail stores, it will be noticed they are labeled according to the color of the tints and by their use. As a beginner this assistance helps to speed along the process of selecting paints.
What portrait paints are selected is a personal preference for oil, acrylic, or water color. Most artists like to stay true to one type of paint, however, there are other artists who like to mix and match. This technique is known as mixed media.
Acrylic paints may also be used on material with the use of a fixit agent. Canvas for acrylic and oil may be purchased or you may prefer to make your own canvas with or without frames.
Are you a fast painter?
I would include myself in this group because once I have planned and sketched the face with or without a background I know exactly what I want to do and I move quickly. Acrylic paints are my choice as they dry quickly. In addition I have allergies and that is another reason for preferring acrylic paints. As acrylic dries quickly, it is easy to correct any errors or make any color changes by painting over it.
Another reason acrylic paints is favored is because they are water based. Brushes, art supplies, and work surfaces are easily wiped clean. As a beginner you may start with student grade acrylics. As you become more proficient professional grade is available.
The professional grade has better quality pigment and less filler. The quality and the longevity of the pigment will be much better. Quality means higher pricing.
Do you prefer to paint slower?
Oil paints will satisfy the need for more drying time as they are prepared to dry within weeks, or months. The slow drying will allow time needed for more detailing, refining, and color blending.
If you prefer landscaping, oil paints allow the ability to paint outdoors. Whenever painting indoors with oil; work in a well ventilated room. Chemical solvents and paint thinners are still needed for cleaning and thinning of paint brushes, paint accessories, and work station. Water based oil paints and their solvents are now available if you wish the quality of oils, but not the strong obnoxious fumes and possible health risks.
Oil paints like acrylic paints are mixed in standards of low grade to high grade. Purchase according to your ability level. If allergic to the traditional oils water-soluble oil paints are now available.
The style and personal desires of the artist will determine what portrait paints will be selected. Will it be oil as the Old Masters? Will it be acrylic, a water base paint? Will it be water color for the romantic?
Discover more about portrait painting. Visit the hobbies section of Infotrish at http://www.Infotrish.com and review Learn Portrait Painting With Acrylic & Oil Paint.