Acrylic is one of the most popular mediums used for creating art. Whether you are painting still lifes, landscapes or abstract designs, acrylic has you covered!
Many people start with acrylic paint as children when they learn how to create pictures. Many adults who love taking art classes find that it is more practical than oil paints since it will not easily dry out.
Acrylic can be mixed in a variety of ways and you do not have to use a clean brush like you would with oils. This allows you to mix colors quickly without having to wait for the liquid to set first!
However, something that many people get stuck on is whether or not acryllic paint is safe to wash. Some say yes, some say no, and others claim it does not matter because whatever residue remains will just soak into another surface.
This article will talk about what works and what does not when using acrylic on fabric.
Definition of wash
When painting onto fabric, there are two main things you will need to consider. How do you wash your painted piece? And what type of paint is used for the surface?
The first thing we should talk about is the term “wash”. Technically speaking, when using acrylic paints as decoration or design pieces, this does not mean washing the canvas down with water. A wash refers to coating the finished product in a solution containing alcohol or other solvents.
These were usually added at higher concentrations to take away some of the shine from the coat of primer or topcoat you applied. Some artists even say that washes actually remove some of the gloss off of the primed canvas! This effect depends on how much alcohol is mixed into the liquid and how long it sits before being wiped off.
Some brands contain additives such as benzotriazole to help prevent fading of the paint due to exposure to liquids and air. These chemicals work by acting as protective barriers to keep the new layer of paint intact but still very visible.
How to test if paint is washable
So, how do you know whether or not your acrylic paints are fabric safe? The best way to determine this is by testing one batch on either white cotton cloth or silk fabric and see what happens!
Acrylic paints will usually dry very hard, so it is recommended to pull away some of the texture before washing in order to determine if the paint can be washed under regular conditions.
By pulling off some of the texture, we can tell if the paint chips, cracks, or breaks down when wet. Most common household cleaners are considered color-safe for clothing, and most types of fabrics are able to be cleaned with them.
However, there are some colors that may require special care in water.
Tips for painting on fabric
When painting clothes, there are two main types of surfaces you will encounter. They are either woven or non-woven fabrics. A woven surface is one that you can pull apart to see the individual fibers! Materials like silk are almost always pre-washed and dried down before being painted.
With paint, water and chemicals may get trapped in the folds of the material, so it is important to pretreat your fabric first by washing it in warm water and an appropriate wash method. This gets rid of any loose dirt or residues as well as removes some of the moisture from the fabric, helping stabilize the paint layer.
For painting with acrylics, our favorite way to prepare canvas cloth is by using a spray bottle. Simply pour acetone into the bag of the spray bottle, cut off a small piece of the bottom of the plastic container, and attach the mouthpiece onto the top of the bottle. Then, turn the bottle upside down and fill it up with the color of choice!
When applying the paint to the fabric, use a smooth coat and let sit until dry. Do not shake the bottle while coating the fabric, as this could create clumping. Once it’s completely dry, repeat with new layers to achieve greater depth and texture.
Tips for washing your paintwork
When painting fabric, it is important to consider how to wash your painted item. Most professional dye houses have special equipment designed just for cleaning acrylic paints!
Acrylic paint can be difficult to wash off of some fabrics. Some types of clothing are almost impossible to completely remove all of the paint from! This is not necessarily a bad thing though as most people associate that look with an artist or designer!
Regularly using a good quality brush will help keep your canvas fresh and beautiful. Make sure to clean out the hairs between washes to prevent glue residue from drying down. You may also want to invest in a spray bottle so you do not need to use a brush to apply more liquid acryllic paint.
Touch up paint
Although many people use acrylic paints for painting canvas or plastic surfaces, they do not necessarily have to be used on these materials! Many artists use acrylics for touching up areas of their paintings that were painted earlier.
Acrylic touch-up paint is very similar to regular liquid acrylic paint, but it has been mixed together with another material such as latex (the fluid in natural blood). The powdery component of the mix helps bind to any other surface like fabric or paper. When washed with water, this paint can be peeled off of the surface and rolled around to remove excess powder.
It may take several coats to get the perfect look you want, however! This could include multiple applications of thin layers to achieve that.
Mixing paint colors
When painting with acrylics, one of the first things you will need to do is mix your paints! This is called mixing a color. To mix a new color, add some of each of the already mixed paint to make another color.
Acrylic paint has an additional element in it that allows it to be “washed” or melted down when it is dried. This means that you can take this newly made color and apply it onto another surface, such as fabric. You just have to let it dry completely before washing or moving it.
Mixing your own colors is a fun way to spend time during the process of creating art.
Painting on canvas
While some people may not use acrylic paint outside of the canvas, it is totally possible! Many artists now use acryllic painting as their medium for fabric. They mix the paints with a brush or using gel pens that contain polymers in them to make the liquid flow.
These painted fabrics are then washed just like regular clothes! Some even dry-clean these paintings so they can hang on a hook later! If you are ever looking to add new pieces into your collection, check out how to wash acrylic clothing.
Painting on paper
While it is possible to use acrylic paint directly onto fabric, washing the painted piece can be tricky. Because most fabrics are natural fibers that absorb water and dry quickly, if you wash your painting with soap and water, the texture of the cloth may get lost.
Some people recommend using a protective coating or gel for heavier paints, but these additives are not needed unless you will be cleaning the painting with very hot soapy water.
Acrylic comes in many colors, so it is easy to just mix more liquid acrylic with some additional materials and then apply this new mixture as a clear coat over the first layer.