acrylic paint

Any of a range of synthetic substitutes for oil paint, mostly soluble in water.

Acrylic paints are used in a variety of painting techniques, from wash to impasto. They dry more quickly than oil paint and are waterproof and remain slightly flexible, but lack the translucency of natural substances.

As acrylic paint is water-soluble and, therefore, very fast drying, artists generally need to work with them more rapidly than with oil paints. This means that, unlike oils, acrylics cannot be reworked hours later, although their more opaque quality allows them to be easily painted over. Retardants made with glycerine may be added to lengthen drying times. Acrylics can be used as an underpainting for oils, but cannot be used over oils.

Acrylics were first used by artists in the 1940s and became popular because of their versatility. They can be used on almost any surface and, unlike oil paints, do not yellow over time. A further benefit is that they only require thinning with water, rather than toxic products such as white spirit, so can be used in more enclosed spaces. While wet, acrylics can be cleaned up with soap and water; after hardening, they can be removed with products such as mineral spirits, acetone, or turpentine.