|
Q. What is the difference between Nova Color Artists' Acrylic
Paint and the acrylic paints sold in art stores and mail
order catalogs.
A. Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint is comparable to the name brands of
artists acrylic paint. Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint
is not a student grade or craft paint. We use the
traditional pigments found in all high quality artists’
paint as well as 100% acrylic resin as a binder. We do not
skimp on quality of our ingredients or the amount of
pigment we use. Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint has been
the first choice of artists in Southern California for
decades.
Q. Why does Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint cost so much less
than the paints sold in art stores and mail order catalogs?
A. We have been making Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint and selling it
directly to the artist since 1965. The paint goes directly from us to
you! You pay less because Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint is not
marked up by the retailer.
Q. Can I use Nova Color Artists’ Acrylic Paint for an outdoor
mural?
A. Yes. Acrylic paint is excellent outdoors. See "Mural Painting/Tips for
Exterior Mural Painting"
Q. Is Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint water-proof?
A. Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint is water-resistant but it is not
water-proof. Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint should not be used for
underwater murals unless entirely sealed with a waterproof topcoat.
Retaining walls should be sealed on the opposite side with a water-proof
sealer. Painted flower pots should be sealed on the inside with a
water-proof sealer. Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint cannot be used on
top of a water-proof sealer.
Q. Can I paint clothing and fabric with Nova Color Artists'
Acrylic Paint?
A. Yes. Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint adheres very well to cotton, silk,
rayon and blends of these fibers. Paint will stiffen the fabric. Adding
water to the paint may cause the color to fade in washing. Nova Color
Artists' Acrylic Paint is permanent when dry and does not need to be
heat set. Hand wash and line dry painted fabrics. Let paint dry five
days before the first laundering. Some dry cleaning solvents may affect
the appearance or adhesion of acrylic paint. Nova Color Artists' Acrylic
Paint can be mixed with most water based fabric paints and fabric
painting mediums.
Q. Can I paint Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint on top of oil
paint?
A. Acrylic paint will not adhere to any slick surface such as oil-based enamel
or artists’ oil paint. To insure good adhesion, thoroughly sand the
surface and remove any dust.
Q. Can I paint Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint on glass?
A. Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint will not adhere permanently to glass--it
can be scraped off.
Q. Can I paint Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint on metal?
A. Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint may be applied to a properly primed
metal. To clean bare metal, wash with vinegar and rinse. Thoroughly sand
previously painted metal surfaces. Prime with a metal primer designed to
accept water-based acrylic paint.
Q. Can I paint wood items such as furniture with Nova Color
Artists' Acrylic Paint?
A. Yes. New bare wood should be primed with Nova Color Gesso #200 or with a
top quality water-based primer designed for bare wood. Previously
painted surfaces should be thoroughly sanded and dust-free. Nova Color
Artists' Acrylic Paint will not adhere to some oil-treated wood
finishes. If your item will get wear and tear, you may want to seal it
with a clear topcoat designed for furniture or floors. Bare new wood can
be stained with a dilute solution of Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint
and water.
Q. Can I paint my wood or concrete deck with Nova Color Artists'
Acrylic Paint?
A. Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint will make colorful decorations and
designs but it will scuff more easily than deck paint. You may use a
clear topcoat designed for floors on top of your design.
Q. How much water can I add to my acrylic paint?
A. Adding water dilutes the binder (glue quality) that makes the paint stick.
Adding 10% water or less will maintain adhesion. In some fine art
applications such as watercolor technique or some fine art airbrushing,
(where there is no abrasion, washing, or wear and tear), the amount of
binder is not as important. If you are painting a wall, a sign or
clothing, you will want the binder to remain strong. If you mix any of
the clear mediums, varnishes or gels with your color instead of water,
the adhesion will remain strong. Adding a clear topcoat over your
finished work will also protect any paint layers below that are weak in
binder.
Q. What are the best colors for mixing?
A. Good colors for demonstrating color theory or making a color wheel are as
follows: Yellow; Hansa Yellow Light #107 or Azo Yellow Medium #144. Red; Quinacridone Red #129 or Quinacridone Magenta
#147 Blue; Phthalo Blue #115 or #115-D or Ultramarine Blue #122.
Transparent colors tend to give cleaner, brighter mixes
than do opaque colors. Opaque colors such as cadmiums,
cobalt, and most oxides tend to make dull secondary colors
when mixed with each other. Opaque colors are more
brilliant when mixed with transparent colors. Check your
label or color chart for “opaque” or “transparent”
identification
Q. What is the difference between “opaque”, “transparent” and
“translucent” colors?.
A. Opaque colors tend to blot-out or obscure the color of the surface on which
they are applied. Transparent colors tend to “show-through” the surface
below. Translucent colors tend to be partially opaque and partially
transparent. Pigments are by their nature opaque or transparent.
Transparent colors can be made more opaque by the addition of white or
other opaque colors or by applying additional coats of paint. Opaque
colors can be made translucent by the addition of a clear medium such as
Nova Color #204 Matte Medium, #205 Matte Varnish or #206 Gloss Medium &
Varnish.
Q. Does “thick” paint mean that there is more pigment?
A. No. Paint can be thickened chemically and thickness may have no relation to
the amount of pigment.
Q. What is the difference between Nova Color Titanium White #118
and Gesso #200?
A. Titanium White #118 is heavily pigmented with titanium dioxide white
pigment. Nova Color Gesso #200 has less of this white pigment. Gesso
#200 also contains calcium carbonate (also known as whiting or marble
dust) that gives it a flat (non-shiny) and toothy (faintly gritty)
surface. Gesso #200 is also less opaque than Titanium White #118.
Q. How can I remove dried acrylic Paint?
A. Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint is permanent and can be removed with a
paint remover designed to remove latex paint (products such as
Goof-off). An alcohol, ammonia and water solution may remove small
amounts of paint from tools and brushes. Commercial brush cleaners are
also available. Hot soapy water will help remove paint from non-porous
surfaces such as glass and plastic.
Q. How can I mix pearl colors and not lose the pearlescent
quality?
A. Most pearl colors may be tinted with small amounts of non-pearlescent paint or
tints. Avoid using house paint or pastels as they mask the
pearl quality. Strong transparent colors work best ( such
as #109 Carbon Black, #115 or #115D Phthalo Blue, #116
Phthalo Green, #147 Quinacridone Magenta, #103 Carbazole
Dioxizine Violet). A pearl surface may also be achieved by
mixing a clear topcoat such as #206 Gloss Varnish or #205
Matte Varnish with a small quantity of pearl color. Test
this mixture first as the true appearance will not show
until it is dry. For best results use Nova Color #180
Iridescent Base & Glaze for mixing.
Q. What is a medium?
A. A medium is a fluid or paste which can be added to paint without decreasing
its adhesion.
Q. What is the difference between a gel and a texture paste?
A. A gel dries clear and can be mixed with paint without altering the paint
color. Gels are used to create impasto paints. Gels remain flexible.
Texture paste is usually used to build up or create relief in an underpainting. Texture paste contains fillers which aid in holding its
shape. Nova Color #202 Texture Paste
dries opaque, hard and sandable.
#251 Lightweight Texture Paste dries opaque, stiff, and shrinks less than
#202.
Color mixed with #202 Texture Paste or
#251 Lightweight Texture Paste creates pastels. #218 Tintable Texture Paste has very little color change when mixed with
paint and dries stiff and matte.
#218 Tintable Texture Paste is not as stiff when wet and can be used as paint
when mixed with colors.
Q. What is the difference between latex house paint and Nova
Color Artists’ Acrylic Paint? Can I mix Nova Color Artists’ Acrylic
Paint with latex house paint?
A. Nova Color Artists’ Acrylic Paint is made with 100% acrylic-latex resin.
House paint is generally made with a less expensive and less durable latex or
vinyl-latex resin. Nova Color Artists’ Acrylic Paint contains a high
level of acrylic resin. House paint may have only the minimum amount of
resin required to make it serviceable. House paint is designed to
“level” after brushing. Artists’ paint shows brushstrokes. House paints
are usually opaque. Artists’ paint can be opaque, transparent or
translucent. House paints tend to be pastels or soft colors. Artists’
paint is more brilliant and available in a wider range of colors and
intensities. Nova Color Artists’ Acrylic Paint is compatible with
water-based latex house paint. House paint is not recommended for fine
art as it is not made to last as long as fine art paints.
Q. How much area will the paint cover?
A. Paint coverage varies depending on the absorbency of the surface and how
rough or uneven it is. Raw canvas, stucco, cement and rough wood will
get low coverage. Gessoed and previously painted surfaces will get high
coverage. Approximate coverage is: gallon, 240-320 square feet; quart,
60-80 square feet; pint, 30-40 square feet. Allow extra paint when
mixing colors. Theoretical spreading rate @ 1 mil dry film thickness is
600 square feet per gallon.
Q. How can I best store my paint?
A. Nova Color Artists' Acrylic Paint dries by evaporation so it is important
to keep jars capped. Lids and jar threads should be kept free of paint
to insure a tight seal. A few drops of purified water can be added to
the paint surface before closing. Tap water, soiled brushes and
stirrers, or reused food jars can introduce bacteria into the paint and
cause mold. Clean brushes, tools and storage jars regularly with
alcohol, bleach or other disinfectant. Store paint at 40-85 degrees F. |
