FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

You will find below a selection of FAQs relating to using Galeria Acrylic Colour.

1. What is a recommended basic palette from the Galeria colour range?

The following colours are recommended as a basic Galeria palette: Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Yellow Deep Hue, Vermilion Hue, Permanent Rose, Crimson, Ultramarine, Winsor Blue, Phthalo Green, Raw Umber, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Titanium White.

2. What does hue mean when used in colour name?

"Hue" means colour and indicates that a modern pigment has been used instead of the traditional one. For example, 'Cadmium Red Pale Hue' is a 'colour of cadmium red pale'. A hue colour is not necessarily inferior. 

3. Difference between Mixing White & Titanium White?

The Mixing White is a less opaque white as compared to Titanium White.  This therefore makes it better for lightening colours without making them too opaque, or appear too "chalky".  It is also very useful for lightening glazes. Titanium White is better suited where higher opacity is required.

4. How do the blacks differ in Galeria?

Ivory Black is a brown black of moderate tinting strength recommended for general use. Mars Black is a denser, more neutral black with stronger tinting power.

5. Can it be mixed with Winsor & Newton Finity be mixed with Galeria?

It is possible to fully intermix Galeria Acrylic Colour with Finity Artists Acrylic colour, either in layers or on the palette. 

6. What is the drying time for Galeria?

Thin films of colour will dry in 10-20 minutes, thicker films can take an hour or more. 

7. What are the best brushes for Galeria?

Acrylic colour can be used in viscous form or in a thinned down form, similar to (though not exactly comparable to) water colour. The brush you select will depend on the style and technique you use and whether you need to move full bodied colour or control flowing colour.

In addition there is a specific Galeria range of brushes specifically designed for use with acrylic colour.

8. What are the best surfaces for Galeria?

Acrylics can be used on a large variety of supports, including canvas, paper, wood, degreased leather, brickwork, or anything which is neither greasy nor too glossy. Professionals and those painters using an oil technique favour canvas whilst paper is used by those working in a water colour style. Galeria Acrylic Pads are also popular for sketching or outdoor work. 

9. What are the benefits of upgrading to Finity Artists' Acrylic?

Acrylic colour relies upon the variable characteristics of the pigments used in each colour in order to achieve results. Therefore, being able to choose from the widest possible range of pigments means a greater choice and flexibility to develop your work and technique.

Upgrading to our Artists' Acrylic Colour range gives a much wider and balanced spectrum of colours to choose from, giving the widest choice of pigments as well as unparalleled brilliance of colour.

10. Why should an Acrylic painting be varnished?

As the acrylic film approaches it final dry state, the last few evaporating water molecules leave micro-pores in the film. These pores cause the film to feel tacky, even when fully dry. The micro-pores remain open indefinitely, meaning that the porous acrylic film can freely accumulate dust, grime, and smoke from the atmosphere. While that grime may not seem to be much over a week or a month, it adds up over the course of years. The best way to protect the painted acrylic film is to varnish. Winsor and Newton produce a range of acrylic varnishes.

11. How should Winsor & Newton acrylic varnishes be applied?

Thinly painted acrylic films may be vanished after 24 hours of drying time, but up to a week of drying time should be allowed for heavy or impasto layers before varnishing. In addition, varnishes may be intermixed for a variety of finishes.

Here are eight simple steps to varnishing success:

1) Use a 1”- 4” flat wide, soft, tightly packed, varnishing brush (such as the Winsor & Newton Monarch glazing/varnishing brush).  Keep it clean and use it only for varnishing.

2) Place the work to be varnished flat on a table - do not varnish vertically.

3) Apply the varnish in 1-3 thin coats, rather than 1 thick coat. A thick coat will take longer to dry, may dry cloudy, drip or sag during application and has a greater chance of showing brush strokes when dry.

4) Thinned varnish is more susceptible to producing bubbles. Do not be vigorous in your application.

5) Apply in long even strokes to cover the surface top to bottom while moving from one side to the other. While working, inspect the varnish layer at all angles for bubbles. Even them out immediately.

6) Once you leave an area, do not go back over areas that you have done. If you do, you risk dragging partially dry resin into wet, which will dry cloudy over dark colors. If any areas were missed, allow to dry completely and re-varnish.

7) After varnishing, we recommend that the surface should be shielded from dust with a protective plastic film “tent”.

12. How can Winsor & Newton acrylic varnishes be removed form a painting?

Acrylic Varnish can be readily removed when dirty. To remove Winsor & Newton acrylic varnishes, apply the Galeria Varnish Remover generously onto a lint free cloth and gently rub into the varnish film. If slight pigment is visible on the cloth this is an indication that the removal has been successful. Use plenty of clean cloth to ensure varnish is being removed from the surface. Avoid undue abrasion.

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