Why Is Your Acrylic Paint Not Spreading?

If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated with acrylic paint that refuses to spread evenly across your canvas, you’re not alone. Acrylic paint can be notoriously difficult to work with, especially when it comes to achieving a smooth, even application, and it’s disheartening when your colors don’t glide as expected, impacting your overall painting experience.

The issue of paint not spreading can stem from several factors, amplifying your frustration. If your canvas isn’t properly primed, the paint may be absorbed into the fabric rather than sitting on the surface. Using the wrong type of paintbrush can exacerbate the problem, leading to uneven application and unsatisfactory results. Additionally, acrylic paint’s tendency to dry quickly can complicate your efforts, making it even harder to work with and blend colors effectively.

To tackle these challenges, understanding why your acrylic paint isn’t spreading as it should is key. In this article, “Why Is Your Acrylic Paint Not Spreading?”, we will explore the primary reasons behind this issue and provide actionable solutions. You’ll learn how to properly prime your canvas, choose the right paintbrushes, and manage the paint’s drying time. By following these tips, you can improve your painting technique and ensure a smoother, more enjoyable creative process.

You’re Not Priming the Canvas Correctly

One of the main reasons your acrylic paint is not spreading is that your canvas isn’t primed correctly. Some store-bought canvases already come pre-gessoed, but it’s usually not enough. 

Priming your canvas is essential if you want the most out of your paint. If you don’t prime your canvas, the fabric will soak up the acrylic paint you use. The color will become difficult to spread because it will go into the weave of your canvas instead. 

When you prime your canvas, you create a layer between the canvas and the paint you need to use so that this doesn’t happen. 

How To Fix 

If you buy a primed canvas, gently sand it enough to remove that primer layer. Then add your layer of gesso, a primer you can get in different colors to match your painting surface. The gesso will dry down to a thin layer of hard, textured paint, making it easy for acrylic paint to glide across. 

You can use one coat of gesso, but applying two layers will give you a smoother finish. If you opt for a double layer, allow the layers to dry between applications. You can also sand the last layer slightly if it’s not as smooth as you’d like for it to be.

Using the Wrong Paintbrushes

Using the wrong paintbrush will also cause your paint not to spread smoothly. Good quality brushes made for acrylics have stiffer bristles to help push color across the canvas since acrylics have a thicker consistency than watercolor. 

Also, acrylics can damage your brush if you’re using bristles made with natural or animal hair. As acrylic paint is acidic, it can break down natural hair fibers causing them to deteriorate quickly after a few uses. 

When you work with acrylics, you want a heavy-duty synthetic brush. On the plus side, synthetic brushes are a cruelty-free option for painters looking for a vegan alternative.

How To Fix 

The best way to fix this issue is to ensure you’re buying the correct paintbrushes. Higher-quality brushes will be better for brush strokes and can spread acrylics better. 

Additionally, synthetic brushes won’t degrade as much as natural-fiber brushes, so you’ll get consistent results every time you paint.  

Here are a few of the best types of brushes you can use for acrylic painting:

• Princeton Velvetouch 3950 Series (link to Amazon): This is a professional-grade brush set that simulates the quality of sable paintbrushes. The handle is made from sustainable FSC wood, and the bristles are a mix of synthetic and animal-friendly materials. 
• Winsor and Newton Artisan Brush (link to Amazon): This brush has stiff bristles but will also maintain spring and shape when wet, perfect for working with color right out of the tube. 
• Royal and Langnickel Zen 5pc Brush Set (link to Amazon): This brush set is suitable for painters of all skill levels. It has a recyclable handle made from ABS plastic. 

Last update on 2024-12-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Paint Dries Before You’re Done

Acrylic paint dries very quickly because it contains water, making it challenging to spread when exposed to air over long periods. 

When paint starts to dry, it’s hard to spread it across a canvas because it’s no longer close to a smooth liquid texture. The more you try to spread it, the more you’ll get choppy paint strokes, or the paint won’t stay in place. Paint drying out can also make it hard to blend within your painting.

Typically, student-grade acrylics dry faster than professional variants because their composition is mainly water with low levels of everything else. Higher-quality paints have a more buttery texture and contain less water, so they take longer to dry than cheap, craft acrylics. 

How To Fix 

This can be a hard one to fix, but there are ways to keep acrylics from drying out as soon. When you need a lot of paint, don’t put too much on your palette at once. Use small amounts as you go so the paint can stay in the tube for longer and unexposed to air. 

You can lightly mist your palette with a spray bottle, so your acrylic paints stay moist longer. Be careful not to drown your palette in water, or your acrylic paint will become too runny. If your acrylic paint dries out and becomes thick, you can use a fluid additive that makes it a bit thinner. 

Also, make sure you’re buying higher quality acrylic paints that don’t dry out as quickly, such as the Golden Open Acrylic Landscape (link to Amazon). This set of eight acrylic tubes has slow drying times and a relaxed working property, giving you more time to blend and work your art. 

Last update on 2024-12-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Final Words

Dealing with acrylic paint that doesn’t spread smoothly can be frustrating, but understanding the underlying causes can help you overcome these challenges. In our article, “Why Is Your Acrylic Paint Not Spreading?”, we’ve identified three key issues: improper canvas priming, using unsuitable brushes, and the rapid drying of acrylic paint.

By properly priming your canvas with gesso, selecting high-quality synthetic brushes designed for acrylics, and managing paint moisture with misting techniques, you can significantly improve the spread and application of your paint.

Implementing these solutions will not only enhance your painting experience but also help you achieve a more polished and professional finish in your artwork.