Acrylic paint is a water-based peinture critique that is used by artists to create colourful paintings on canvas or paper. The pigment is dispersed in a binder which is dissolved in water, and the whole mix is then dried to form a clear polymer film that contains particles of colour. This allows the artist to layer different colours and create blending effects. As acrylics are fast-drying, they can be used on a variety of surfaces.

There are many types of acrylic paints, and the one you choose depends on your style and needs. Some types are more versatile than others, for example, heavy-body acrylics have a thick, buttery consistency that is similar to oil paint and therefore retain brush marks and strokes, which makes them suited to palette knife work. Fluid acrylics are thinner and more like yogurt in texture, and they’re suited to staining and watercolor techniques.

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Another consideration when choosing an acrylic paint is its lightfastness, which indicates how long it will last before fading under the influence of sunlight or other light sources. You can check this by looking at the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) ratings on the tube or jar of the paint.

The best acrylic sets will include a range of primary and so-called additional mixing colours, which can help you achieve the desired colour temperature for your painting. For instance, earth colors will tend to be cooler and more muted, while cadmium paints will be warmer and more vibrant.