Painting

  1. Home
  2. Hobbies & Games
  3. Painting

Art Glossary: Acrylic

By Marion Boddy-Evans, About.com

Definition:

A type of paint made with synthetic resin as the medium (liquid) to bind the pigment (colour), rather than natural oils such as linseed used in oil paints. It has the advantage of drying faster than oil paint and being water soluble.

The first acrylics were produced in the 1920s and 1930s in Germany, with acrylic paints specifically produced for fine artists emerging in the 1950s. One of the first "big name artists" to use acrylics was David Hockney.

See Also:

Explore Painting

About.com Special Features

Scrapbook Technique Gallery

Use these ideas to inspire your own uniquely beautiful pages. More >

Price Your Collectibles

Find out how much your treasured collection is worth. More >

Painting

  1. Home
  2. Hobbies & Games
  3. Painting
  4. Painting for Beginners
  5. Art Glossary A to Z
  6. Glossary of Art Terms A
  7. Acrylic -- Art Glossary Acrylic

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.