Cheap Joe's Goes Back to School: Winsor & Newton Acrylics

At Cheap Joe’s, we are constantly challenged by our customers to know more and more about the products we sell. They will call with questions that we want to be able to answer correctly and completely. As it is a big part of the excellent customer service in which we provide, it is required of us to continue to learn about the ever changing art materials that are available. Cheap Joe’s regularly invites professional artists from our suppliers to visit and share new information about products we sell. Recently, Larry Leach from the Winsor and Newton Artist Outreach Program, conducted a workshop for our employees, informing us about the new and improved Winsor & Newton Artists’ Acrylics. Larry is a professional oil painter from Georgia with his own list of accomplishments as an artist. You can visit his website at larryleachart.com.

Larry began by telling us the history of acrylics, starting with Liquitex, which is now owned by Winsor & Newton. Invented back in the 1950’s, Liquitex acrylics were the new and innovative medium. A water based paint with hopes of closely comparing to oils, acrylics were quickly found to have their limitations. They dried too quickly, they were shiny and plastic looking, there was a profound drying shift, and the viscosity was not to compare with oils. For years, acrylics as a professional painting medium lay in the shadows of traditional oils.

Throughout the years, however, many paint manufacturers have made leaps and bounds in the improvement of the medium.  One of which has excelled. Winsor Newton, who now produces a product that is ideal in many ways for the creation of professional acrylic art. Their professional Artists’ Acrylics, formerly Finity Acrylics, has been reinvented with a rich and smooth consistency compared to traditional oil paint. The drying shift has been alleviated, and there is an extended drying time compared to the old formula.

After Larry had explained all of the advancements of acrylics, he gave us paint samples and a brush. Our first task was to play with the color and feel the viscosity of the paint. Then, Larry passed out a sample of the Titanium White paint. Our instructions were to mix a small amount of titanium and the Ultramarine Blue. As I prepared my paint swatch, I immediately noticed how the small amount of titanium over powered the blue paint. It was matte and dry looking with a chalky finish. Next, Larry gave us another choice, Mixing White. This white is still made from titanium, however, it is altered to lighten the pigments subtly and to not over power. The tinting was gradual and not instant, giving you more variances of lightening, as well as, clarity of the pigment. Larry compared this color to “Monet’s Blue”; a color mix that was a favorite of Monet’s and is present in many of his paintings. Ultramarine Blue is mixed with Flake White Hue (oil paints “mixing white”) to achieve the tinted, yet clearly vibrant blue. I was truly amazed at the huge difference the mixing white made. The colors retained their vibrancy and integrity. Most artists automatically think of titanium white as their first choice. It is the most popular white, as it is usually the only white available. This is probably because most manufacturers only offer titanium white.  It is great for covering, however, it is clearly not suitable for tinting.  Winsor and Newton is one of the few that offer the Mixing White. It is semi-opaque, which means the white pigment will lie beside another pigment and lighten it without covering it up. I have to say, this was the most profound information that I received from the workshop. I loved comparing the different colors and white mixes!

Winsor & Newton Artists’ Label

Larry continued to allow us to experiment with other wonderful colors. The results were similar, but it was great to play with all of the new and exciting pigments he shared. Next, Larry explained the labeling information located on the tube of Winsor & Newton Artists’ Acrylic. There were several characters that provided important information to artists using the product.  The label included the ASTM lightfastness rating, which tells you how reliable the pigment is. The paint is tested by the American Society for Testing and Materials, a reputable group, who performs extensive research to ensure the quality and safety of products sold in America and internationally. The label also shows the series number which explains the price of the paint according to the cost and availability of the pigment. The series number is rated from Series 1 to Series 4, with one being the least expensive to four which is the most expensive pigments. Reds, cadmiums, cobalts, quinacridones and other rare pigments are usually rated the most expensive as Series 4 pigments. This is due to the difficulty in mining, obtaining, or availability of the color.  The pigment number and chemical description is also important information for the artist, as you can tell if the paint is a single pigment or from a mix of 2 or more pigments. This information helps you to determine if you will potentially have a problem with muddy colors as you paint. Using single pigmented paints are usually advised. If a mix contains a red, yellow, and blue, you will get a muddy color. So if you purchase a paint color that is comprised of two pigments, say red and yellow to make a mixed orange; when you mix a blue with this orange, you will be mixing the three primaries and will make mud or a brown color. Not usually what you expect! So, it is best to pay attention to the pigment information on the label. Another important symbol on the tube label is the transparency rating. The paint can be characterized as opaque, semi- opaque, semi- transparent, or transparent.  This will let you know how strong the paint is or how well it will cover and how well it will mix with other colors without overpowering them. As with Titanium white and Mixing White, the transparency of a paint will affect the results of the mix. The label even has a true physical sample of the paint applied right to the front! This is more accurate than a printed label. Lastly,  the product item number is also provided although it is the least important information to the artist other than for ordering. It is however, very important information for Cheap Joe’s, as an art supplier! So we can efficiently order the exact colors what you want!

Larry also went on to explain some of the mediums that are used with acrylics. He reviewed the benefits of using the mediums to achieve various effects and to extend the drying time of the paints. The available mediums included in the Winsor & Newton Artists’ Acrylic line are Gessoes, Gels and Mediums, Modeling Paste, Flow Improver, Slow Drying Medium, and a variety of Varnishes.

The evening was a great learning experience for me, as well as, all who attended. Cheap Joe participated in the class and picked up a lot of useful information. Joe has recently challenged himself with the use of acrylics on some really large canvases. So he appreciated the wonderful presentation that Larry had delivered. We all took home some useful products and loads of information. The next morning, Larry showed up for our Employee Meeting, again sharing some of the information from the workshop with all of the Cheap Joe’s gang. Those who were unable to attend the after hours workshops, were thrilled to be able to share in the products and the great information. Larry left us all with a new understanding of the Winsor and Newton Artists’ Acrylics; important news we will all be able to pass on to our customers. We know they will truly appreciate when we can help them with a question about the products with confidence. We understand that our customers put their trust in us to have the knowledge to guide them through selecting the appropriate art materials they need. That is the purpose of these art materials workshops. We continue to learn because we continue to care! Thank you, Larry Leach, for your visit to Cheap Joe’s and all of your great information. We appreciate so much that you were here.

And so, as we begin another work week, we will be armed with a powerful sword, knowledge. New information to share with all of our customers and all of our friends. I don’t ever want to stop learning. I believe we are all eternal students, never knowing everything there is to know. Isn’t it great knowing there will always be something new around the corner to keep your mind churning and growing? Just think about it. Have a Happy Acrylics Day! And try some of that mixing white! Also, Happy Keep Learning Day! Keep Your Brushes Wet and Your Canvas Colored!