Thursday, March 29, 2012

Rhapsody in Blue: Experimenting with Acrylics

Over the years, I've had a love/hate relationship with acrylics. Well, to be honest, probably more hate than love. I first experimented with them long before I ever tried oils and really wanted to love the medium. The easy cleanup was a huge bonus for me. But the paint always dried so fast and my end result never seemed to look the way I wanted it to. Along the way, I did try oils, and then watercolor, which stole my heart. There is just something about the way the water flows on paper that keeps me coming back for more. But about a year ago, as I began experimenting with mixed media techniques, I kept hearing about the new fluid acrylics, so I finally decided I should give them a try. So here I am, once again experimenting with acrylic painting.



When I started out with these two paintings, I wasn't sure if I would use the painting as background for collage or just paint. I ended up liking the colors and shapes enough that I decided to just paint and see what happened. This is also part of my ongoing challenge to learn how to do abstract compositions.

I doubt that acrylics will ever become my primary medium, but they have some useful qualities for mixed media art. Their colors are more intense than watercolor, and the fact that they dry fast and are permanent is very nice for working with layers. The fluid acrylics also lend themselves to some interesting paint effects that I love in watercolor. So, I'm sure I will continue to experiment with them and use them to a certain extent in my artwork.

I recently discovered the Creative Color Challenge  on Flickr and posted my paintings there for the March color theme of tranquil blues.

Thanks so much for visiting! I really appreciate your comments.

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35 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 29, 2012 at 6:57 PM

    Glad you experimented, and glad they didn't become backgrounds-- because I really like!

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  2. Šolanje na domu-WaldorfMarch 30, 2012 at 3:00 AM

    Acrylics are my favorite. Sometimes they don't dry fast enough for me. :) Great colors!

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  3. NettyMarch 30, 2012 at 3:50 AM

    Would love to try the fluid acrylics. Great experiments. Happy PPF and have a great weekend, Annette x

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  4. Lesley EdmondsMarch 30, 2012 at 4:28 AM

    I love the fluidity of acrylics. Love our blues.

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  5. FayeMarch 30, 2012 at 7:36 AM

    I have never done any real painting in acrylics. I have done some folk art types of things, but I've never used the fluid acrylics. The colors are certainly a lot more vivid than watercolors and even some oils. This is a beautiful piece.

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  6. Mary C. NasserMarch 30, 2012 at 9:37 AM

    I love fluid acrylics and love your blue palette!
    The first image is my favorite!
    I have been wanting to check into the Creative Color Challenge, too...just learned about it yesterday.
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  7. Tammie LeeMarch 30, 2012 at 9:50 AM

    wonderful movement and dreamy quality to your forms

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  8. carol l mckennaMarch 30, 2012 at 10:02 AM

    Awesome and unique ~ great color combinations ~ ^_thanks, namaste, ^_^

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  9. WrightStuffMarch 30, 2012 at 10:04 AM

    I love the versatility of acrylics - and those Golden fluids are a total dream (if a bit pricey here in the UK!)

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  10. Caitlyn (ladyphlogiston)March 30, 2012 at 10:16 AM

    I love your blues! So peaceful and calm and alive...wonderful.

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  11. Ayala ArtMarch 30, 2012 at 10:31 AM

    So yummy! I like it. Yes abstracts are hard to make, it takes a while to make one that makes sense.... as silly as that sounds lol
    I'm in the same boat, trying to abstract my work, even if just a little

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  12. froebelsternchenMarch 30, 2012 at 10:40 AM

    beautiful!

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  13. GlorV1March 30, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    Very nicely done. Happy PPF. I didn't know you had your work on FAA, I'll visit you there too.

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    1. DebbieMarch 30, 2012 at 11:56 AM

      I just joined there very recently. Are you there, too? I'll look for you.

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  14. paulineMarch 30, 2012 at 11:20 AM

    i LOVE these as abstracts!! So glad you decided not to use them as backgrounds.
    Experimenting with different mediums is all good... who says you have to love acrylics? As long as you're making art with SOMETHING, right? Awesome colors in this... keep playing! xoxo

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  15. Cynthia PattersonMarch 30, 2012 at 12:41 PM

    I wonderful colours of blue... Happy Creating!

    blessings,
    Cindy♥

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  16. Cynthia PattersonMarch 30, 2012 at 12:42 PM

    Oops!!! should say.... I love the wonderful colours of blue....LOL

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  17. DVArtistMarch 30, 2012 at 1:06 PM

    Great abstract in blues. Glad you were playing with these colors.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  18. mimi Torchia Boothby watercolorsMarch 30, 2012 at 1:43 PM

    Oh how funny! You just tried out acrylics too!
    To me they seem too dull compared to wc

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  19. UnknownMarch 30, 2012 at 3:00 PM

    Debbie your paintings are beautiful. They are mesmerizing.

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  20. ChristineMarch 30, 2012 at 3:28 PM

    beautiful fluid acrylic colours, nice work! First I'm hearing of these.

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  21. KristinMarch 30, 2012 at 3:28 PM

    Oh my goodness! Those blues are gorgeous! Lovely, striking work, xo

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  22. GinnyMarch 30, 2012 at 4:17 PM

    Beautiful paintings. I love the movement. I am just starting to work with acrylics and I am enjoying them.

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  23. Lynn CohenMarch 30, 2012 at 9:20 PM

    Just so happens that you did this in my very favorite colors!!!
    I like the look!
    thanks for your visit and very complimentary comment on my blog this evening Debbie. Hope you'll come again. ;-)) HPPF!!!

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  24. Valerie-JaelMarch 30, 2012 at 11:05 PM

    Wonderful colours and movement! Valerie

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  25. AnonymousMarch 31, 2012 at 3:26 AM

    I Love the blues,too. I was the same way about watercolours,always avoiding then until I found a way to use them that I liked and I now love them Acrylic dry too fast fro me ,too but I hear that Golden do a brand called open Acrylics. I've yet to try them .

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  26. scrapmanufakturMarch 31, 2012 at 4:30 AM

    powerful blue, love it

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  27. LindsayMarch 31, 2012 at 5:21 AM

    The first painting is my fave, the combination of the blue and green is so relaxing yet energizing. :)
    Have a wonderful weekend xxx

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  28. carlareyMarch 31, 2012 at 6:20 AM

    I love these. You really have a talent for abstracts.

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  29. AnonymousMarch 31, 2012 at 8:56 AM

    Debbie, the paintings are beautiful! I saw fluid acrylics at the art supply store and wondered about them. Now for sure I will try them out, as I'm in agreement with you about how acrylics are kind of hard to work with due to their quick drying time. Awesome work. I will head over to look at the Creative Color challenge....and possibly join. :-)

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  30. *jean*March 31, 2012 at 9:51 AM

    i understand your feelings...years ago, i worked in acrylic, after starting with oils...and i hated them....but now, with the mediums and extenders, you can really do some great things with them...golden also has the new, much slower to dry, buttery paints called 'open' acrylics that are fantastic...there are so many choices now with water clean up oils too! i have used dry time extender mediums with my fluid acrylics and liked them so much better with a little more time...your 2 pieces here are beautiful, i love this color combo so much, happy ppf!

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  31. Anne MandaMarch 31, 2012 at 11:33 PM

    Absolutely beautiful paintings, love the compositions and colors! Happy PPF !

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  32. EVAApril 1, 2012 at 12:28 PM

    What fun experimenting in blue. Myself I like acrylics. I think you did a great job with them.

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  33. Paula - Buenos AiresApril 1, 2012 at 7:02 PM

    I love acrylics and even have a hairdrier at my desk for them to dry faster in between layers. :D
    Great energy in those blue swirls.

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