Re - cheap or expensive paint

sonja · Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 22 Location: Perth

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eejot · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 150 Location: South Korea

By cheaper paint, do you mean Chromacryl or something? If so, the only problem with some of the student-grade paint is that it's a little fugitive, and therefore, longevity can be a problem.

I believe there are a few topics on this, but my searching capabilities aren't too successful at the moment Wink

sonja · Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 22 Location: Perth

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jasmine · Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:03 pm Post subject: Re - cheap or expensive paint

I think it's probably better to use the cheaper paint on the bottom layers and then as you build it up use the better quality paint on the top.

The only problem i've had with student quality paint is that it fades quickly...

sunday · Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 3995 Location: Victoria

I have a friend who paints large contemporary pieces and exhibits them with pricetags between $3,000 - $6,000. She uses acrylic house paint because it is most economical given the quantities she uses.

Ricardo · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 826 Location: Blue Mountains

Egon · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 207 Location: Austria

Hi folks

I was in Prague - capital of Cszechia (in the former time behind the iron curtain ) I have seen there so many excellent painter - working with very cheap paints and very cheap paper - they sold well

How good are you ?

If you can affort it - use high quality for good paintings

Lori · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 104 Location: Outback QLD

For my oil paints I use good quality paints, but for my acrylics, they are kind of the in the middle type .. The reason for this is a few things. The oils, when more expensive, tend to go further, the pigment is a lot stronger, therefore they tend to be more cost effective in the long term. The acrylics, well i am new to them, didnt know if i would like them, and figured if i didnt , the kids could use them, and It hasnt cost me an arm or a leg. I found i do like using them. They dont seem to go anywhere near as far as oils tho. But i think perhaps thats just how this medium is?

Ricardo · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 826 Location: Blue Mountains

leonard · Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 2

using house paint for a painting is ok if you can get exterior acrylic some of the tint bases reds yellows etc are very resistant to cracking and fading etc as these paints are tested to last many years in ext situations a lot depends on the type of primer used i have used these paints with alot of success i have also used an acrylic high gloss sealer which gives more intensity to the colour

stevendix · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Brisbane, Teneriffe

I have a friend who makes great money on his art -- his attitude is that as long as it lasts longer than him - it's fine. MY opinion on paint isn't defined yet, i think I will build my style around the paint. Confused

The Pook · Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 2904 Location: Tasmania

I don't think some student oils are any more fugitive than some artist quality paints - it depends entirely on the pigments used in the paint. True Alizirin for example will be fugitive whether it is in a Blockx paint or Winton. Student quality oils just have more extenders in them and tend to become muddy more easily when mixed. Depending on the nature of the extenders this could mean that some of them are more prone to cracking, yellowing etc. But not necessarily, and it depends on what you mix your paints with and how anyway.

I don't know about acrylic and watercolours though - it may make more difference with them perhaps?

As far as house paint goes if you're not intending to exhibit your paintings in the sun I don't see why they shouldn't last. How often do you have paint the interior walls, leaving aside the effects of small children, animals, and changes in taste?

Greef · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 206 Location: Norway

The best advice i was given once was from a very successful Australian High profile artist. He told me that he goes to paint shops and asks to see all their 2nds (they are the paints that maybe arent the right shade, or the customer wasnt happy etc) he buys them cheap and uses them as an undercoat. I say use what you can afford or what you like...

stevendix · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Brisbane, Teneriffe

The drama I am finding si that certain paint cracks easily. Depending on how think yu use it. Which is fine depending on your style. So not all houes paints are great - especially dont use pint that needs UV light to render.

darian zam · Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 333 Location: other

I think there's a major difference if you are using acrylics. I just can't use cheap/student/budget as the consistency and pigmentation is just poor. If you cannot tell the difference or you think that lesser quality is acceptable, that says it all about your talent and practice.