What Artists Paint Brand do you use?

Brad Buchel · Last edited by Brad Buchel on Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:37 am; edited 1 time in total

I'm curious which brand of acrylic paints do other artists use and why?

http://www.art-search.com/art_products_services/art_supply_manufacturers/art_paint/
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Brad73 · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Posts: 2206 Location: Tamworth

Well BB,
There is only one acrylic paint I use for cost/quality comparrison. And that brand is.... Chromacryl.
I dont sell my paintings, so I dont try and use this medium professionally, but I would definately recommend using these acrylic paints if you are a bit short on the dosh, as most of the artists I know are. I still think they are worth it though, even if you are not short on the dosh.. Smile

These acrylics aren't too expensive (i find), and they have a great coverage for the quality, and I find they also mix very well with retardant mediums.
In my opinion, I would recommend this product for anyone who is a beginner or a seasoned artist.
Although, personally, I wouldn't sell any artwork that I have painted in this medium. For me though, this is because I am not a confident acrylic artist. But I'm sure it's been done.
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B73
A funny thing happened to me on the way over here tonight............

artbarr · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 121 Location: Adelaide

Chromacryl is pretty good stuff but would recommend that you use and artist quality white. I wondered what was wrong when I had to keep going over my white bits to get a good bright white..but when used artist white..wow, what a difference! if you possible can buy the jars of acrylic paint of colours you use a lot of specially white..it is much cheaper than buying tubes all the time.
I have done many many paintings with Chromacryl, but now ive started using artist quality i cant go back.. Very Happy

Julie · Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 104 Location: Woodford

I much prefer the consistancy of Atelier, the viscosity is better for me, though I have a friend who prefers Jo Sonja, too flat for me. The sheen in Atelier is beautiful, yes they cost more than student level chromacryl, but the quality and consistancy and colour fastness I believe is better. Sometimes you do get what you pay for, just look out for discount sales when there on.
I also like to an impasto gel medium for even more structure to the paint.

artbarr · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 121 Location: Adelaide

Atelier...yep..thats all I use now, its lovely stuff!

Brad Buchel · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 4:14 pm Post subject:

I personally use Atelier too, only Atelier, .....although Chromacryl is a great product its only great for its purpose, "a students paint" ie: School. If you are an Art Student, or Practicing Artist you are really better off not using it, I would suggest anyone wanting to keep costs down whilst learning they should try Chroma's fairly new brand, A2 ....we actually advertise it on the ART-search network at the moment. It's specially for "Art Students".

See: http://www.art-search.com.au/listing/15269/a2_acrylic_paints

Julie · Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 104 Location: Woodford

A2 arn't bad for a less expensive paint, I agree Brad, even practicing, I think it's best to use the higher quality paint, you develop a better understanding of it's qualities and abilities. I wouldn't waste time or money on anything less, unless it's for little kids and they use too much volume.

come_do_drawrings · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 3:47 pm Post subject:

I am not sure about the names you have mentioned...but I use Van Gogh acrylics in the jars...but maybe I have not paid much attention as I went straight for the price tag....and maybe living in the states makes some difference.. Confused

but um ...one silly question and I am sure there is a better place for this but...acrylics are ok to water down right... Embarassed

silly me...

artbarr · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 121 Location: Adelaide

I gave up using water quite a while ago as it really inhibits the colour. Use medium if you can...this is great stuff and will keep the colours bright and keep the shine too..
cheers
mike

Julie · Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 104 Location: Woodford

I agree artbarr, mediums are the best way to go to change the structure of the paint without inhibiting the intensity, some goes for oils, turps just doesn't cut it, like water. Leave that for the watercolourist to do a good job.
Julie

come_do_drawrings · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 2:40 am Post subject:

eve · Joined: 21 Jul 2005 Posts: 1 Location: Melbourne Australia

Julie · Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 104 Location: Woodford

Hi Eve, Julie here.
I've used matisse only a little. They seemed quite a good brand. What I liked about them was that they had different formulas, flow, structure etc. I'm used to the atelier brand though, I find the structure and gloss is the closest to oils that I've used, but I must say, I still prefer oils. I'm not particularly disciplined, oils force me to be more so. You can add a retarder medium to your acrylics to stop them from drying out so quickly, they behave a bit more like oils then. But I haven't been able to blend any acrylic like an oil. Also use an impasto gel or a structure formula matisse to get the closest quality to oils. Happy experimenting, let us all know how you go and what you think.
Julie

Marty C · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 1055 Location: Mandurah, WA

I used to paint in acrylics almost exclusively, although I now concentrate mainly on oils. When using acrylics I use Atelier. They have good pigment load, a nice flow structure with consistent colour and are readily available in most good stores. I have always had good results with Atelier, so didn't stray to another brand. If it aint broke, don't fix it!

d00mg1rl · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 474 Location: Tamworth

What I do use them, which hasn't been for a while now, I use Jo Sonja artist Acrylic Paints