Leo Martínez
Acrylic paint is a versatile medium that can be used to create a range of effects, from transparent watercolours to thick, textured strokes. It is a popular choice for artists due to its quick-drying nature and ease of use. When it comes to adding acrylic paint to an existing painting, it is certainly possible and can be done for a variety of reasons, such as touching up old paintings or creating depth and texture. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind to ensure the process is successful.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painting over an existing painting with acrylic paint | Possible |
| Painting over an existing painting with oil paint | Not recommended due to the difference in sheen between dry and wet oil paint |
| Painting over an existing painting with acrylic paint on fabric | Possible |
| Painting over an existing painting with acrylic paint with gloss medium | Possible, but may need another coat of gloss medium to avoid a difference in sheen |
| Painting over an existing painting with acrylic paint on canvas | Possible, but the texture may be affected |
| Painting over an existing painting with acrylic paint using gesso | Possible, but the number of coats and the addition of water depend on the manufacturer's instructions |
| Painting over an existing painting with acrylic paint to create depth | Possible, but thickening agents like acrylic gel and modelling paste may be needed |
| Painting over an existing painting with acrylic paint for a transparent look | Possible, by using water or a pouring medium |
| Painting over an existing painting with acrylic paint with a colour palette | Possible, by mixing yellow, red, and blue to create different colours |
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What You'll Learn
Painting over an existing acrylic painting
If you want to paint over an acrylic painting on a canvas, you can apply a couple of coats of acrylic gesso to the canvas to create a new surface to paint on. Gesso is a mixture of paint and other ingredients such as binders and chalk, and it is used to prime a surface so that paint won't soak into it. You can also add titanium white paint to the gesso to increase its opacity. However, gesso tends to have a matte finish, so it may not be as opaque as acrylic paint. If you want to return your canvas to a blank slate, you can use gesso and then sand it down.
If you are painting over an acrylic painting on a wall, it is important to get rid of any compromised paint. Painting over peeling surfaces will cause the new paint to fail in the same spots. You can use a paint scraper or putty knife to gently remove any loose paint. Once you have removed the loose paint, use sandpaper or a fine sanding sponge to lightly sand the scraped areas and create a smoother, more even surface for the new paint to adhere to.
When painting over an existing acrylic painting, you can use layering techniques to create depth in your painting. You can also use thickening agents like acrylic gel and modelling paste to create texture, height, and depth. Additionally, you can use water or a pouring medium to make your paint thinner and create a more transparent look.
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Painting over oil-based paint with acrylics
While it is possible to paint oil over acrylic, the reverse is not recommended. Oil paint continues to cure over a long time, and acrylic is water-based, so even if the acrylic paint initially adheres, it will likely crack or separate from the surface. Oil paint does not allow the chemicals in acrylic paint to bind, so the acrylic paint will only loosely bond to the surface of the oil paint.
However, if you are not concerned about the long-term durability of the painting, you can experiment with painting acrylics over oil paint. Before you begin, make sure the oil paint is completely dry. Oil paint is considered fully cured when it has hardened to the point that it can be scrubbed or washed without affecting the finish, which can take seven to 30 days.
Before painting, carefully inspect the surface for any areas where the oil paint is peeling, bubbling, or flaking. Use a paint scraper or putty knife to gently remove any loose paint. Get rid of all compromised paint, as painting over a peeling surface will cause the new acrylic paint to fail in the same spots. Once all the loose paint is removed, use fine-grit sandpaper (180- to 220-grit) to sand the scraped areas and transition points where the old paint meets the bare surface. This helps create a smoother surface and gives the new paint something to grip onto. You'll know you're done when the surface feels a bit gritty to the touch.
After sanding, remove any dirt and grime, which can reduce the adhesion of the acrylic paint. Wearing gloves and safety glasses, dilute a quarter-cup of trisodium phosphate (TSP) in one gallon of warm water and apply it to the surface. Then, make a second pass over the cleaned surface with a sponge dampened in fresh water and let the surface air-dry.
Always prime when using water-based paint over oil-based paint. To prevent peeling and chipping, use a bonding primer over the old oil-based coat for better paint adhesion. Apply one to two coats of an oil- or water-based bonding primer and allow it to dry according to the product instructions. You'll know the surface is adequately primed when the former paint colour is no longer visible.
Finally, apply at least two coats of high-quality water-based acrylic paint over the primed surface, allowing ample drying time between coats.
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Preparing the painting area
Choose the Right Paint
Select the appropriate acrylic paint for your project. Acrylic paint comes in different grades, such as student grade and artist grade. Artist-grade paint contains a higher concentration of pigment, resulting in better coverage and colour intensity. If you're on a budget, you can opt for student-grade paint for most colours, but invest in artist-grade paint for colours like titanium white, as the student-grade version may not provide sufficient coverage.
Select Your Colour Palette
Acrylic paint offers a wide range of colour options. Start with the primary colours: a yellow, a red, and a blue, along with white and black. With these, you can mix and create a variety of hues. Some recommended colours are cadmium yellow light, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, titanium white, and Mars black.
Gather Your Tools and Materials
Ensure you have the necessary tools and materials for the painting process. This includes brushes, palettes, and, of course, your canvas or chosen painting surface. If you're using a canvas, decide whether you need to stretch it yourself or if you prefer to work on a pre-stretched option.
Prime Your Canvas
Priming your canvas is an essential step in preparing the painting area. It creates a barrier between the canvas and the paint, reducing absorbency and helping the paint sit better on the surface. The most common primer for acrylic paint is acrylic gesso, which provides a coarse surface for the paint to adhere to. Stir the gesso well and decide on the number of coats you want to apply. You can also use clear acrylic medium or an oil primer, depending on your preferences and the availability of materials.
Size Your Canvas (Optional)
Sizing is an optional step that involves sealing the surface of the canvas to form a barrier layer between the canvas and the primer and paint layers. This step is especially useful if you're using an oil painting primer. You can use rabbit skin glue or a synthetic alternative for sizing. However, most store-bought canvases are already primed, so you may not need to size your canvas unless you're stretching your own canvas at home.
Create an Underpainting (Optional)
Consider creating an underpainting, which is the first thin layer of paint applied after priming. It serves as a base to help you establish your composition, values, tonal dominance, and colour palette. Many artists find it helpful to start with tonal values and contrast instead of a blank white canvas. For example, using a yellow-toned underpainting for a landscape scene will make the final painting seem warmer.
By following these steps, you will have a well-prepared painting area that is ready for your acrylic painting journey. Remember to take your time, use proper materials, and don't be afraid to experiment and layer your acrylic paints to create the desired effects.
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Removing old paint
Removing acrylic paint from a surface depends on the type of material and how long the paint has been drying. Here are some methods for removing acrylic paint from various surfaces:
Removing Acrylic Paint from Clothes and Fabric
If the paint is still wet, start by scraping off any excess paint. Avoid rubbing or blotting until any large globs of wet paint have been removed. Then, rub liquid laundry detergent into the stain with a soft nylon brush or toothbrush. Rinse the garment in cold water and repeat the process as necessary. Follow up by scrubbing the stain with isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol. Finally, machine-wash the garment in cold water, as hot water can set any remaining pigment.
If the paint has dried, it is much more difficult to remove. One method is to mix equal parts baking soda, dish soap, and rubbing alcohol to create a paste. Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit. Then, gently scrub the stain with a soft brush or toothbrush, rinse the fabric in cold water, and launder as normal. Another option for dried stains is to use acetone-free nail polish remover within the first two hours after the stain occurs.
Removing Acrylic Paint from Wood
If the wood is varnished, hot soapy water is the best method for removing dried acrylic paint. If the wood is bare, alcohol, acetone, and lacquer thinner should work, but these may discolour the wood.
Removing Acrylic Paint from Glass and Metal
Acetone and lacquer thinner can be used to remove acrylic paint from glass and metal. However, it is important to note that lacquer thinner is toxic and should only be used outdoors. Newer "green" formulations of lacquer thinner use ethyl acetate, a low-toxicity solvent with a pleasant odour.
Removing Acrylic Paint from Other Surfaces
The methods for removing acrylic paint from other surfaces, such as plastic, porous bricks, concrete, and wallpaper, vary depending on the specific surface. In general, organic solvents or natural compounds are recommended for these surfaces.
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Using Gesso to cover old paintings
Gesso is a mixture of paint and other ingredients such as binders and chalk. It is used to prime a surface so that paint won't soak into it. Gesso can be used to cover an old painting and return a canvas to a blank state. However, it is important to note that gesso should not be used to cover oil-based paintings as it will not stick and will eventually peel off.
If you want to use gesso to cover an old acrylic painting, follow these steps:
- Make sure your acrylic painting is completely dry.
- Sand down any texture from the dried acrylic painting using sandpaper. This step can be skipped if you don't mind the added dust and mess, but your painting may still have peaks from the previous paint application.
- Pour the gesso into a small container.
- Apply the first coat of gesso using a basecoat brush, ensuring that you are going in the same direction (either horizontally or vertically). It is recommended to use a wide, soft brush that is dedicated solely to applying gesso to avoid residue mixing with the gesso.
- Wait for the first coat to dry (about an hour or two, depending on humidity levels).
- Sand down any uneven layers or remaining texture using sandpaper.
- Apply the second coat of gesso, painting in the opposite direction of the first coat. This allows the surface to have some "tooth," and the sandpaper also helps create this texture.
By following these steps, you can use gesso to effectively cover an old acrylic painting and create a fresh, blank canvas to work on.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can add another layer of acrylic paint to an existing painting. You can also add a layer of gloss medium.
Yes, you should prepare the existing painting before adding a new layer of acrylic paint. Make sure the painting is completely dry, and sand down any texture. You can use basic sandpaper or a sanding sponge to do this.
One way to cover up an existing painting is to use gesso. Gesso is a mixture of paint and other ingredients, such as binders and chalk, used to prime a surface so that paint won't soak into it. You can also cover the painting with a solid colour, such as black or paynes grey.
Yes, you can add acrylic paint to gesso to make it opaque. You can also mix gesso with other colours.
Yes, you can add acrylic paint to an existing oil painting. However, you must first remove any compromised paint, as painting over a peeling surface will cause the new paint to fail in the same spots. You can use a paint scraper or putty knife to remove loose paint.
