While many people praise the benefits of water-soluble paint, doing something safe when painting with water-based paint is still a topic of debate. Some people say it’s safe, while others say it’s not.
The question that constantly swirls in regards to water-soluble paint is: is it really? Is it really safe to dump your artwork into a bowl of water and leave it?
Traditionally, artists would use oil or acrylic paint and mix their own dry Lubrein or acrylic paint, respectively. The advantage to this method is that you control how strong the mixture of colors is. You can change the strength of the paint as you go!
In this article, we will talk about where you can find water canvases and tips on how to use them safely. We will also talk about some tips on how to avoid having problems with water-soluble paint such as runniness or wetting of edges or areas.
Ask a paint store
There’s a reason most paint stores don’t offer water-soluble acrylic paint. It’s complicated! Most companies use two to four layers of the acid in the paint to create water-soluble magic.
Acrylic paint doesn’t mix well with milk, so most paints are watered down slightly to make it compatible with the milk base. This makes it more difficult to visually tell which color has been painted, because some may look white when mixed together.
Unfortunately, this compatibility problem is what makes painting projects more expensive. You have to buy more expensive paints that require more time and effort to properly dissolve.
Ask your painter whether or not they use high or low concentrations of acid in their paints. If they use higher ones, ask them where they get them because many use those as a substitute for regular paint.
Ask an art store
Acrylic paint can be a little tricky to clean. There are some ways to ask the art store staff for help, but it really is up to the customer to be aware of these tips.
Most importantly: Do not use bleach! It will ruin your paint and possibly also your furniture. Instead: Ask the art store whether they have any neutral-based cleaners such as boiled water, diluted vinegar, and liquid soap. Many use dishwashing liquid as a dip-in-and-out cleaner.
Dangerous: Some paints contain antifreeze or glue! If these substances are present in sufficient amounts, you can safely mix your paint and water without risk of damage or whitening.
Many painting brands do not give specific directions for using their paint on canvas or paper. Instead, they suggest products that work with the style of painting you want to do.
Try Home Depot or Lowe’s
Many paints are sold at local home improvement stores, however, they may not offer the same brands or classes of paint. Some companies no longer manufacture some types of paint in water-soluble form, making it necessary to search different places for it.
Many artists use oil-based paint as it is more flexible and easier to work with. Some water-based paints are better suited for a limited application period due to the type of paint required. Even though this is true, some artists may still find use of the oil and water-based forms helpful.
Finding a place where you can dump your acrylic paint is important as your painting skills can hurt a little when you are trying to get something water safe.
Look for signs that say “dump site”
There are a few things that indicate paint will overflow and leak out of your canvas or paper. If any of these happen, look for signs that the paint has filled up the container!
You might be able to see some water in the container when you shake it, if it is a small one. If it is a big one, it might have drooped up some of its water.
Then, when you shake it, the drooping might also let some water escape. Same with color transfer on the canvas or paper. If any of this happen, your paint is safe to dump!
Dump sites can be confusing at times. Some offer warnings and/or directions on how to safely dump paint from other sites.
Check the pH level of the water
You should never dip your brush in water that is lower than a pH of 7, or that has been exposed to water for an extended period of time, even if it is tinted with alcohol.
Acrylic paint contains ammonia as a preservative, so checking the pH level of the water is a must. As the paint contains ammonia, anything with higher pH levels will not suit your brush well.
If the paint has been kept sealed in a container with a high-pH environment, make sure you check it for drooping and that it is watered-down. If you feel comfortable doing this yourself, then do it!
Acrylic paint can be tricky to dry without having problems.
Not all paint stores take back water
Many paint stores do not return water-soluble paints to the manufacturer, making it necessary to be cautious when painting. This is very important as some brands of acrylic paint can cause stomach upset for some.
Acrylic paint is a water-based paint which means it can be used on most surfaces, including canvas! Because it can be washed with water, it is more common to use regular household water rather than filtered or purified water.
Because of this, and because many people are afraid of the color changing if someone Paint Dumps them, many prefer to use a spraying method instead. These types of paintings are made by drawing a shape first and then dumping the paint on top. This allows for a clean start to the painting process and gets people excited about doing it.
In order to avoid Painter Resolve or other color changes, make sure that the paint is safe to touch and work with.
Call customer service for the brand of paint you use
If you use water-soluble paints, you can simply rinse your canvas or wood panel under running water. If you use oil-based paints, you can blot them with a cloth and then dry and safe to store.
But don’t try to paint over an oil paint job — it won’t work! Likewise, don’t try to use acrylic paint that is still wet because it will turn black and not wet.
There are different ways to safely dump your acrylic paint so it is water soluble or oil based. Try one out first!
How To: Call customer service for the brand of paint you use.
Take it to a hardware store or home improvement center
Many artists use specific hardware store paints andArtist’s Tape, but most can just pick up some cheap paint and start painting. If you are more experienced with painting, you can just take your skills to the next level by investing in some new supplies!
Some Painter’s tape is made of oil which does not easily dry and break down. To prevent it from breaking down, make sure to store it in a closed container with a bit of oil on the top to prevent it from wetting the floor or other surfaces.
As for the Painter’s tape, if it is really soft or if you are very careful with it, it can be painted safely without damage.