Texture in acrylic paintings - & protecting our environment

Here are a few acrylic paintings from over the years. Looking at how good acrylics are for combining thickness & texture with thinner & more detailed. 

If you work with acrylics remember to wash **as little as possible** down your sink. Acrylic paint down the sink is plastics and chemicals in our rivers and oceans and soils and wildlife.

1 - Use leftovers to paint base/background colours for future paintings.

2 - Then wipe all remaining paint off brushes and palette. I use old raggy clothes and cloths and paper napkins saved up from cafes etc!

3 - Then clean brushes with soap and cool water.

4 - Don't bother cleaning your palette other than giving it a wipe as in point 2. Just let the paint dry then work on top of it next time. Gradually your palette gets thicker and thicker and after a few years you can peel off a lovely thick skin.

There are ways to ensure no acrylic at all goes down your sink, a bit complicated but very worth reading up on. Have a look at these four links:

- www.rosemarieoleary.com/art-blog/44-don-t-pour-acrylic-paint-down-the-drain

- https://ontheprairies.ca/acrylic-paint-environmental-effects/

- www.agora-gallery.com/advice/blog/2015/04/22/going-green-environmentally-friendly-studio-practices-artists/ (Scroll down to 'HANDLING WASTE IN YOUR STUDIO')

- detailed, very interesting process to remove all acrylic sediment - www.goldenpaints.com/just-paint-article3

It seems increasing numbers of artists are choosing to completely avoid acrylic paints in favour of watercolour, for very valid environmental reasons. If you continue with acrylics, as I am for now, please have a think about the tips above. Share your own tips too! With your art communities and with me, I'd love to hear.