An important part of painting is exploring different techniques. This semester, I have had the opportunity to explore the use of both Acrylic and Oil paint together. When using Oil on top of Acrylic, fascinating subtleties happen on the canvas that…
An important part of painting is exploring different techniques. This semester, I have had the opportunity to explore the use of both Acrylic and Oil paint together. When using Oil on top of Acrylic, fascinating subtleties happen on the canvas that creates a lasting impact on the viewer.
When picking up a standard canvas at an art supply store, it is most likely primed with an Acrylic Gesso. If you have used these for Oil painting, then you have already had the experience of painting on top of Acrylic! This painting technique is accomplished by using Acrylic first and then placing Oil on top. It allows for a quicker coverage of the canvas from the Acrylic while still having the flexibility of paint from the Oils. I should note that you cannot use Acrylic on top of Oil paint as it does not adhere the same.
In this assignment, I was asked to paint a cropped self-portrait on a 36"x48" canvas. I wanted to ensure my piece would have bright, bold colors, so I used Acrylic first. This is what the initial painting with just Acrylic looked like. As you can see, the colors are exaggerated and unrealistic but create a fun and bright portrait.
My goal was to use the Oils on top to create a more natural look allowing for subtle color variances from the Acrylic underneath. At this mid-point, you can begin to see how the Oil and Acrylic paint play with each other. Some areas have fuller coverage and others have less. Those subtle differences allow for more depth and dimension to the painting, causing intrigue as there are slight color variations and shifts within the same area.
When comparing the final piece to the Acrylic stage, you are still able to see where that Acrylic exists under the Oil paint. The Acrylic that I placed first created flat planes of color with little variation. The Oil paint highlights certain areas and allows for warm and cool colors to exist on the same plane. I believe the final piece would not have been as impactful or effective had I only used Oil paint.
I enjoyed using both paints together and I would encourage you to try it out! You may discover new possibilities within the paint you had not noticed before.
Featured Image Artists: Sarah Demchak, McKenna Seavey, Sarah Van Horn, and Arianna Baratelle
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