ELI5: What Is Acrylic Painting?

Acrylic painting is a way of creating colorful art using a special kind of paint made with tiny bits of plastic that dries very fast and turns into a tough, waterproof layer.

Think of acrylic paint like liquid magic. When it comes out of the tube, it is creamy and wet, much like toothpaste or peanut butter. You can mix it with a little bit of water to make it thin and runny like juice, or use it straight from the tube so it stays thick and bumpy on your paper.

Here is how acrylic paint works in everyday life:

• It dries super fast: Unlike other paints that take days to dry, acrylic paint dries in just a few minutes, almost like nail polish. If you accidentally paint a purple tree and want to change it to green, you only have to wait a moment before painting right over your mistake.
• It sticks to almost everything: You do not just have to use paper. Because it has liquid plastic inside, you can use acrylic paint on smooth rocks from your garden, wooden birdhouses, plain white sneakers, or even glass jars.
• It becomes waterproof: While the paint is wet, you can easily clean your brushes with plain soap and water from the sink. But once it dries completely, it turns into a flexible plastic skin that will not wash away in the rain.