How to paint polymer clay with acrylic: necessary materials

Using acrylic paint on polymer clay is a fantastic way to give your creations rich details and vivid colors. Acrylic paint is versatile and comes in a variety of colors that enhance the visual appeal of your designs, whether you’re working on small charms, figurines, or decorative pieces.

Having the proper supplies on hand is essential to getting the best results. Selecting the appropriate kind of acrylic paint, in addition to high-quality brushes and sealants, can have a big impact on the final product’s longevity and look.

This tutorial will cover the necessary supplies for painting polymer clay with acrylic paint and provide advice on how to get started on your next creative endeavor.

When the friendship of materials gives wonderful results

Naturally, the question of why paint polymer clay comes up given that it is available in the store in literally hundreds of colors.

  • Well, firstly, for real artistic creativity these two or three dozen are not enough.

Applying paint to polymer clay can fundamentally alter how this material is worked with.

  • Secondly, paint provides many more possibilities for artistic design made from clay.
  • Well, thirdly, when you throw yourself into the creative process, you can’t stop it, you want great impressions, searching for new things, experiments, and this is perhaps the most important thing. And I must say, this search more than pays for all the efforts expended.

The question of how to paint polymer clay by hand might not seem appropriate to ask at home because the material’s color palette is quite nice.

However, you must be fully aware of the nature of polymer clay and its properties before beginning to work with it.

About polymer clay

The clay that is being presented is essentially just a kind of plastic that can be easily molded in your hands, much like plasticine, but that solidifies when exposed to high temperatures, usually in an oven. The fact that the material goes by the name thermoplastic is not a coincidence.

Among thermoplastic’s benefits are:

  1. easy molding of products of almost any size;
  2. a wide range of colors;
  3. easy mixing of samples of different colors and obtaining new shades, for example,
  • red and yellow will result in orange;
  • red with green – brown;
  • red with blue – purple;
  • and gray can be obtained by the usual kneading of black and white.
  1. the ability to fix the work for a long time after baking.

Polymer clay can be categorized based on how convenient it is to work with by hand:

There are at least twelve companies that sell this material, but the two most reputable ones are as follows:

  1. Eberhard Faber – produces clay under the Fimo brand of several types:
  • Soft – soft, which does not always suit the master of small parts, which after baking turn out to be too fragile;
  • Classic – more rigid.
  1. Polyform Products – with Sculpey brand products. This clay is more suitable for professionals, beginners may be scared off by the excessive pliability of this clay when sculpting.

However, observing the completed works, you realize that using acrylic paints for polymer clay raises the cost of the project considerably.

About colors and ways to influence them

The most crucial thing to remember if you want to actively work with color and not just stop at one big piece that is one color is that thermoplastic itself is already available in a wide range of colors (see also the article "Polymer and powder coating – the main features of the process").

Additionally, you can use the following methods at the same time:

  • You can mix clay of different colors and get new colors.
  • You can add acrylic paint, water-based paint of any color to a white clay sample, knead it thoroughly and get any suitable color.

Additionally, using a quality brush and tried-and-true paint will suffice to answer the question of how to paint polymer clay.

  • You can also use the given addition, but “play” with modeling, without being too diligent, then the paint will not spread over the entire volume, creating absolutely amazing streaks for new ideas.

Very helpful advice! Any creative endeavor involving a medium is inherently experimental. As a result, we highly suggest that you prepare for a search right away.

There aren’t really any pre-made formulas for making pieces that will be on display in the Hermitage the following day. Some people are thrilled with the results they get from adding lipstick to the kneaded clay instead of just paints.

  • At your disposal, in the end, acrylic paints are already after the creation and fixation of the composition.

The paint in the picture contributed a subtle touch that frequently contains the entire idea.

Painting with acrylic

What is necessary

In fact, you can make these paints yourself; all you have to do is combine:

  • with gouache or watercolor acrylic varnish – and you get absolutely incredible delicate colors, which you can control by changing the volumes of the mixed components;
  • acrylic varnish already with PVA glue – as a result, the palette may not suit you too much, but you will get incredibly white paint of very high strength after hardening.

On the other hand, there is a lot of paint here, but the work instructions remain the same: handle the material with caution.

However, making your own paints is not really necessary. There is an exceptionally large variety of ready-made acrylic paints available on the market.

For the task at hand, you will require:

  • a finished clay product, not yet baked;
  • acrylic paints – and this is the most suitable answer to the question of what to paint polymer clay with;
  • brushes, the more the better, of different sizes and as high quality as possible, the hair should not come off under any circumstances;
  • palette – you can"t do without mixing and selecting colors;
  • an approximate plan, a drawing in color of your future creation – this is already from the realm of creativity and abilities, some just keep this plan that they dreamed of in their heads.

Painting allows for a complete flight of imagination, and white clay is ideal for painting.

Immersion in work

The task at hand is both easy and challenging.

Easy to understand because:

  • we take the finished product in our hands, even before the oven, and begin to paint it, according to the idea, and constantly prepare the necessary paints;
  • let"s not forget that after baking the colors will become a little darker;
  • you can apply paints after the oven, but in this case it is best to pre-polish the surface;
  • if you want to create a metal effect, you can mix acrylic solvent with mother-of-pearl powder, apply the mixture to the product, let it dry and varnish;
  • if you plan to paint clay, then it is chosen in a snow-white color, but we advise you to play with colors here too, because artists often do not paint the main background, but simply use a primer of a certain color, on which only the necessary strokes of paint are laid;
  • if the work is done on a flat surface, it is very convenient to apply the drawing through a stencil in advance.

It is impossible to choose paints otherwise.

Additionally, it is challenging because the creative world:

  • does not tolerate fuss and indifference;
  • requires the ability to draw conclusions from your achievements and failures;
  • requires being consistent and patient;
  • and again, requires learning and grasping new ideas literally on the fly.

Very helpful advice! And once more from the experimental category. We suggest that you attempt coloring with watercolor paints, but in this instance, make sure to apply it over primer. Let’s say that you should never use oil paints because they will never fully dry.

However, it still encourages you to try new things! Try using ink; it’s also a useful tool. Additionally, some skilled practitioners use an aerosol to create a lovely gradient.

Secrets of the masters

Over time, every expert formulates unique techniques to address the challenge of painting polymer clay.

These are a few of the most well-known:

  • If you want to make a doll or a similarly complex product, then use Living Doll clay, as the leader of preferences among professional doll makers. It is a bit expensive compared to other options, but it is incredibly convenient to work with and incredibly durable after firing. It is specially produced only in light shades, counting on future painting.

Thus, this is a piece of work whose skill is only to be envied.

  • If your goal is a colored mosaic, then the best choice would be Premo clay. It does not crumble during work, it is often used for decorations. One very useful property of Premo is its friendliness to competitors, it easily mixes with other types of clay, increasing their strength.
Material Description
Acrylic Paint Used to add color to the polymer clay. Choose high-quality paint for better coverage.
Paintbrushes Various sizes for detailed work and broad strokes. Soft bristles are ideal.
Sealer Protects the painted surface and gives a finished look. Choose a clear, non-yellowing sealer.
Palette Used for mixing colors and holding small amounts of paint.
Water For thinning the paint if needed and cleaning brushes between colors.
Rags or Paper Towels Helps with cleaning brushes and wiping away excess paint.

Using acrylic paint on polymer clay is a great way to give your creations life. Although the procedure is simple, if you take the time to properly prepare your clay and gather the necessary materials, the results can be quite striking.

The proper brushes, paints, and sealants will guarantee that your artwork looks vibrant and lasts a long time. It’s crucial to exercise patience and wait for every paint layer to completely dry before applying the next. This will assist you in achieving a polished, seamless finish.

Whether you’re new to polymer clay or have experience, painting with acrylic can give your creations a fresh look. Your painted polymer clay pieces can be transformed into authentic works of art with a little practice and attention to detail.

To achieve a smooth, long-lasting finish when painting polymer clay with acrylic, the surface must be properly prepared and the necessary supplies must be gathered. High-quality acrylic paints, detail-oriented brushes, and a sealer to shield your artwork are required. With the help of this tutorial, you can make sure that your painted clay creations have a polished and colorful appearance.

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