Can you put too many layers of acrylic paint on canvas?
If you have over-painted a canvas you will have lost its absorbency and will no longer be able to use it for thin water color like techniques as the watery paint no longer will behave the same.
If I need to block in a lot of color at once while I'm painting with acrylics, I usually end up doing at least 2-3 layers, even if it involves applying the same color over and over. So the need to layer acrylics to get the best coverage is completely normal.
Generally, one or two coats of a good quality primer should be enough.
It tends to take professional acrylic paints from twenty minutes to half an hour to dry such that you can touch them without leaving a mark if applied in a thin layer. Based on the environment you paint in, one to two hours is the drying time for thicker layers.
To cover the painting completely will take a minimum of two coats, even with artist quality paint. To paint sections will take longer because you won't have the coloured ground to fall back on. You will have to cover every area of the canvas.
The binder is what makes the paint stick to the surface - in your case, the board. If you dilute the acrylic paint too much with water, it may weaken the binder. This means that the paint may form a weak bond to the surface and lift off the next time you go over it.
You can sand gesso between coats to create a lovely smooth finish, especially handy for photo-realistic paintings, just sand each layer with a fine sandpaper. Say a 240 grit. 3M's make a good sandpaper. Just make sure you do it outside, or in a well-ventilated area as it goes everywhere!
This question is very common! The answer actually depends on the canvas that you purchase. Most, if not all, canvases that you buy at your typical craft stores are already primed for acrylic painting. If the canvas is a bright white color, it's ready to go!
It is recommended to have at least two layers of gesso for acrylic paint and three layers if you plan to paint with oils. Gesso drying times are the same as on canvas.
Acrylic Paint Instructions and Tips. You don't 'need' to start with a wet brush, but if you want your paint to glide smoothly then it's best to have the bristles wet.
What happens if you paint a second coat too soon?
Applying the second coat too early will result in streaks, peeling paint, and uneven color. Not only will this ruin the entire project but it'll cost additional money to get more paint in some occasions. It's best to wait for the first coat to dry.
Water usually works well to thin down paint. If you discover your paint is too thick, you can add a few drops to thin the paint down. Acrylic paint is water based so water can be used to mix with the paint. To give it a try, grab a small container or a palette.
Acrylic loves to stick to itself, so as long as each layer is acrylic, then you can layer it on, over, under.
Making things too complicated is a regular pitfall for us in many areas of life. In painting we call it overworking. It usually happens when the artist endlessly dabs in a given section of a painting, waiting for just the right shape or effect to suddenly appear from the ongoing jumble of brushstrokes.
If you work thickly in oil and the picture dries, there's not much you can do. But once you've accepted the artwork is a failure, you can completely paint over the canvas.