Paintvine offers both watercolour and acrylic painting sessions, but what sets them apart? Let's delve into the specifics, starting with acrylic—the primary medium for our Paintvine Original, Dragvine, and After Dark sessions.
Acrylic painting
Acrylic paint is characterised by its thick opaque texture and fast-drying nature. It's made from pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion, resulting in a paint that dries quickly and can be used on various surfaces, from canvas to wood and even fabric.
Generally acrylic paintings are done on canvas stretched around a wooden frame. Here at Paintvine we use high quality canvases which are easy to paint on, and easy to add hooks on to hang on your wall.
Due to its opaque quality, acrylic paint allows for layering, mixing colours, creating textures, and covering mistakes easily.
During our acrylic painting sessions at Paintvine, participants explore the vibrant and expressive qualities of this medium. From bold brushstrokes to intense colours, acrylics provide artists with the opportunity to experiment with different techniques and styles. Plus, the quick drying time allows for spontaneity and adjustments on the fly. Have a look at our Instagram video for a demo of how acrylic paint works.
Watercolour painting
Watercolour painting, on the other hand, is known for its transparency and delicate appearance. It consists of pigment suspended in a water-based solution, allowing the paint to be easily diluted with water for varying degrees of opacity.
Watercolour is typically applied to specially prepared paper, and relies on the white of the paper to create highlights, giving it a luminous quality. In acrylic painting you would add white paint to lighten a colour, whereas in watercolour painting you would simply add more water to lighten the colour.
In our watercolour sessions at Paintvine, participants learn to harness the subtle nuances of this medium. Techniques such as layering washes, wet-on-wet blending, and dry brushing are explored to create depth and atmosphere in their paintings.
Watercolour's fluid nature encourages spontaneity and embraces imperfections, making each artwork unique. If you want to see watercolour in action, check out the video of our watercolour pīwakawaka on Instagram.
Which one should I choose?
When deciding between watercolour and acrylic painting sessions, we recommend trying both! But if you have to pick one, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and desired outcomes.
Acrylics offer boldness, versatility, and quick results, making them ideal for artists who enjoy vibrant colours and expressive brushwork. With our acrylic sessions you go home with a painting on a high quality canvas, that you can easily add hooks to hang on your wall.
On the other hand, watercolours provide a softer, more delicate aesthetic, perfect for capturing ethereal landscapes and subtle details on A4 paper that can then be easily framed. Watercolour is all about spontaneity, and letting go of control.
At Paintvine, we provide guidance and inspiration for artists of all skill levels, whether they prefer the boldness of acrylics or the subtlety of watercolours. Our experienced instructors are on hand to help participants explore their creativity and develop their artistic skills in a supportive and welcoming environment.
So, whether you're drawn to the thick opaque paint of acrylics or the gentle transparent allure of watercolours, there's something for everyone at Paintvine!
