Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The Continuing Influence Of Acrylic Artists

By Leslie Mitchell


It is only in recent years that acrylic artists have attained recognition. The history of oil and water color painting goes back centuries but it was only in 1955 that acrylics could be bought commercially. Considering this short time of their existence, they have had a marked influence on the art world.

Acrylics came onto the scene when there was a great deal of experimentation happening in the art world. Abstract expressionism, photo realism and pop art were among the forms being explored. Many a well known artist of the time began to experiment with this new medium which presented exciting new possibilities. Media could be mixed, different consistencies could be achieved, different surfaces could be used and colors could be opaque or transparent.

One of the major differences of these paints was their quick drying time. This enabled an artist to work very quickly and express themselves with an immediacy which had not been available before. The oils which had been used up to this point often had an extremely long drying time. The fast drying quality of the paints did discourage blending and wet-on-wet techniques but this made them both versatile and challenging at the same time.

The fact that this medium lent itself to a variety of approaches also encouraged its popularity. Pencils, charcoals and even pastels could be used together with the acrylics. Robert Motherwell was an artist of the time who used pencils, charcoals and acrylics in his paintings with striking results.

Another factor which made these paints popular was the ability to bond to many different surfaces. Experimentation began on a wide range of materials including paper and canvas. The results showed that the coverage was good and an even luster could be obtained.

Improvements to the quality and range of pigments over the years have greatly enhanced the richness of the colors and the tones. Unlike oil paint, acrylics do not crack or turn yellow with age. Unlike water colors they do not fade. Their durability means these paintings will remain in pristine condition for years to come.

Acrylics can produce both the soft effects of watercolor paint and sharp effects of layered oil paint. Applying paints directly from the tube produces opaque colors. Diluting them with water gives them the appearance of water colors.

There are now a huge number of artworks produced using acrylics. This versatile medium has opened up a whole new era of creativity and had a marked influence on the art forms being explored today. Art has become more accessible and has reached a much wider audience today. A talented new artist has a far better possibility of being discovered now, particularly with the development of the internet as a medium of promotion.

The future of acrylic artists continues to unfold. Perhaps their full potential and possibilities are still to be seen. What is clear is that this is a significant medium, demonstrating the continual progression in the field of the visual arts.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment