Confessions of an Acrylic Paint Addict

• 23 different bottles of paints ranging from shades of white to pink to black.


• 3 small Tupperware bowls stained from mixing custom colors.


• 5 paint brushes in varying widths.


• 1 accident involving a 4 year old, a dog, and a bottle of blue paint.

I am not sure if you can technically call it an addiction or not, but I do know that if there was ever a 12-step program for acrylic paint addicts I would be one of the charter members. There is just something about those little bottles of paint in a rainbow of colors that calls my name every time I walk past them in my local discount store. They seem to be saying, “Just one more, you NEED just one more.” Of course, I always give in a buy just one more bottle. Who can blame me when they only cost a buck?

My addiction does not stop at buying these cute little bottles. That is just the beginning. My true addiction begins when I sit down to scrap. I have found that lately the first thing I pick out after I choose a photograph is my paint color. There is just something about using acrylic paint on my layouts that gives me a rush. It is similar to the rush I feel when I decide to hand journal. It is that feeling in the pit of your stomach that makes you hold your breath as you think to yourself, “I am about to go to the point of no return. I could mess up this whole layout in a matter of seconds.” Rarely, does the use of paint actually mess up my layout. In fact, I have found that acrylic paint is very forgiving. If I do not like the way it looks I can simply paint over it with a color similar to my background and start all over again.

When you are ready to get started you will need:

• A bottle or two of acrylic craft paint. This can be found at most discount stores and craft stores. In most areas a bottle of acrylic paint will cost less than $1.00.


• A bristled paintbrush. I find that I most often use my 1-inch wide brush. Brushes can also be purchased at your discount store or craft store for a few dollars each.


• A few paper towels. This will be used to pour your paint onto, and to wipe excess paint off of your brush.

The Technique:

My favorite way to use my paint is with a dry brush technique, similar to what is used in craft stenciling.

• Pour a small amount of paint onto the paper towel. Keeping in mind that acrylic paint dries quickly, I pour a quarter-sized pool of paint onto my paper towel.


• Dip the brush into the paint and remove the excess paint. When dry brushing you need to make sure that you do not have too much paint on the brush, or else you will not be able to see the brush strokes on your finished product. After you dip the bristles into the paint, make sure that you wipe the brush onto the paper towel several times to remove the bulk of the paint. Remember, less is more.


• Brush the paper. I find that the best results are achieved when I brush the paper lightly with the bristles. I continue brushing over the same area in the same direction until I have built the desired look. Be careful not to go over one area too many times, or the brush strokes will become muddied.

Ways to use acrylic paint in your layouts:

• Tone down the color of patterned paper, ribbon, or another element (See layout #1-“Mentor”).


• Provide a background for letter stickers or journaling.


• Create a matte for your photograph (See layout #2-“Matthew”).


• Paint a piece of white cardstock for a custom colored background.


• Change the look of patterned paper by “re-coloring” the pattern elements (See layout #3-“Wings Like Angels”).


• Re-color metal objects such as alphabet charms, label holders, and brads.
  
• Cover an unsightly area of a photograph (See layout #4-“Not a Laughing Matter”).


• Paint a custom design onto cardstock.


• Use as stamping ink.


• To create a border.


• Apply to the edges of a layout for an aged look.

Now that you know the basics there is nothing holding your back. Get a few bottles of paint, a brush, and a paper towel and soon you will be an addict like me. Don’t worry I will save you seat in the front row at the next 12-step meeting.

Shop at the Scrapbook.com Superstore for all your Scrapbooking Supplies!
Enjoy 5-Star service, HUGE selection and LOW prices!
Click here to start shopping!