Acrylic Paints - The Cheap Kind

Eddy Smiles · #1 11-02-2007, 09:32 PM

Just thought that I would share a find that I made while in Tennessee a month ago. My wife wanted to make a trip over to Hobby Lobby in Maryville to buy some material for a sewing project and although I really didn't need anything, while she was sewing I just looked around.

Much to my surprise over in the clearance area there was a large basket of various Americana acrylic paints for an amazing $0.59 for a 2-oz bottle. I hate mixing colors because I'm such a lousy artist that everytime I try to go back and put a second coat on I can never completely match the color of the first coat. Therefore, seeing all these colors that I didn't have was like hitting the mother lode!

Before I could get out of the store I had picked up twenty additional colors that I didn't have (the truth be known - probably don't need or at least that's what Mama-san says). I currently have a collection of about 139 different colors from various manufacturers. I did a lot of carving while up at the cabin and brought all my unfinished projects home so I'm anxious to try some of the new colors that I bought. I spent this afternoon reorganizing my paint box so that I could fit all of my loot in it.

I've noticed in WCI that some of the more serious carvers use LiquidTex acrylics. I have a few Liquidtex colors, colors that I can't find anywhere else, but I was wondering if the more expensive brands of acrylics are worth the added cost. Personally, I've notice little or no difference between the Liquidtex and the cheaper Americana,

Barrel, or Delta Creamcoat. Of course it could be the way that I use them.

Also, I picked up a new product form Deco Art, new to me, called Staining Antiquing Medium. Has anyone heard of or used this product. It says on the bottle to mix it half and half with acrylic paint. I haven't had a chance to try it yet. Any one familiar with this product?

susieq · #2 11-03-2007, 12:47 AM

Eddy,
Americana is my very favorite brand above all others. They are nice paints and they make a huge selection of colors. You can still mix custom colors when you have to, just use these. One draw back to this brand that I don't notice with the others, is that it will get thick and about once a year, I have to go through my little bottles of paint and stir them up good, add some water too. It's too much of an investment to not do it. A palate knife is good for that. Gets right in there and blends the paint back to normal consistancy. Ceramcoat is my second favorite just because of the color selections, no other reason. It is a matter of personal preference too. But I think you will like them.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #3 11-03-2007, 10:16 AM

Mixing colors is not hard......do a google and bring up a "Color Wheel" you will see what colors are what, what is/are complementary and what to mix....I have been painting for many many years and still have a color wheel laying on my paint table.

Anthony Filetti · #4 11-03-2007, 11:27 AM

Liquitex is a great paint, but I wouldn't use it on my carvings as some excellent results can be achieved with the brands you have mentioned.

Hobby Lobby can be a great store for prices, I also go to Tower Hobbies for two part epoxy, I can get a large amount for a cheap price. Its also a good site for picking up Instant glues as they carry a large variety with different setup times and thickness.

Kenny_S · #5 11-03-2007, 02:27 PM

I agree, I haven't seen any difference in the brand name paints. We have Delta ceramcoat,Americaina,Folk Art,etc.
However, What chaps my hide is when you find a color you like to use, they discontinue the color.

Good thread Eddy!

Mark N. Akers · #6 11-03-2007, 03:32 PM

Eddy:
I have to say most all of my paints are Delta Creamcoat,they just seem to be the best for what I am after.

wood-whittler · #7 11-03-2007, 03:35 PM

eddy,

i have to say also the majority of my paints are ceramcoat, i used to use americana still do for a couple of things but it used to look like it had glitter in it when it was dry so i now i just buy the ceramcoat.

bart

Eddy Smiles · #8 11-03-2007, 04:35 PM

SusieQ... Great tip! I have some paints that I haven't use in 8-10 years. You know how it is. You get so busy doing projects that you never pay attention to the supplies until you need them, or at least that's usually the way I am. That's where my ADH kicks in. I just don't have a great deal of patience to do the things that I don't particularly care for. But as you say, I've got quite an investment so I think I'll put your tip on my to do list.

Hi Ho.... A color wheel was one of the fist things my watercolor painting instructor told me to get. In fact, before he'd let me paint a picture he made me make my own color chart with the watercolor paints that I had on hand. But using watercolors is a lot different than using acrylics. If you blow a mix on a watercolor painting it can actually add to the overall effect, sort of a happy mistake. But when you blow a mix on a carving it can be a disaster!

Tony... I agree on your Liquidtex comment. That's why, with the exception of some fluorescent colors that I use on my fishing lures, I stick with the cheaper acrylic brands, especially the one's on sale! I've never heard of Tower Hobbies. Is that a northern chain?

Eddy Smiles · #9 11-03-2007, 04:43 PM

Kenny... That must be why I got all those colors so darn cheap. They closed out the colors. I knew that the manufacturer's do that but I never thought that it was to that great an extent. Must be like Ben and Jerry's ice-cream! I wonder if they have a paint cemetary like B & J's ice cream flavor cemetary! Ha! Ha!