Acrylic paint is so versatile and being water based you don’t have to use solvents. Diluted it can be used in a manner similar to watercolour, although personally I do not do this because as an experienced watercolourist I find the differences are enormous. But it can be used thickly or thinly on canvas or many other surfaces and there are so many mediums available which extend the ability to create interesting artworks. As well as thick acrylic paint for canvas, there are acrylic inks and other acrylic based paints for different surfaces for art and craft use.
The examples I have here: a small handmade book with acrylic monoprints (worked on glass), a mural with a unicorn and fairy (commissioned work) painted on a roller door (I used paints made specifically for the surface), flowers in luscious thick paint applied with a palette knife (workshop demonstration), a portrait, of Mother Theresa, on stretched canvas (commissioned work), and a seascape incorporating sand and texture paste into the foreground to enhance the texture of the rough granite rocks.
Colours are rich and vibrant but if, like me, you often prefer less intensity just remember to add a tiny hint of the complementary hue to knock the colour back a bit. Do remember that acrylics dry darker (while watercolours dry lighter). Brands vary enormously. On the whole you pay for quality but it is worth it. My preference is for Atelier Interactive (unless special paints are required for a particular surface such as on the roller door.
