Hobby paint: which paint do you choose for your creative project?

Craft paint is ideal for anyone who enjoys painting, crafting, or creating decorative projects. Whether you're working on canvas, paper, wood, stone, cardboard, or MDF: with the right paint, you'll achieve a more beautiful result, and your work will last longer. But which craft paint do you need? Acrylic paint, watercolor paint, metallic paint, gesso, primer, or varnish? In this blog, we explain which paint to choose for which project.

What is craft paint?

Craft paint is a collective term for paints used in creative projects. This includes making paintings, decorating cards, painting wooden decorations, painting stones, mixed media, model building, school projects, and DIY projects at home.

There are various types of craft paint. Some paints offer good coverage and dry quickly, while others are transparent and suitable for soft color transitions. The best paint for your project primarily depends on three things: the surface, the desired effect, and how you want to finish the end result.

What types of craft paint are there?

Acrylic paint

Acrylic paint is one of the most popular types of craft paint. It dries quickly, offers good coverage, and is easy to use. This makes acrylic paint suitable for beginners, children under supervision, and experienced creatives.

You can use acrylic paint on canvas, wood, MDF, cardboard, paper, stone, and many decorative surfaces, among others. Because acrylic paint dries quickly, you can easily apply multiple layers. This makes the paint suitable for paintings, craft projects, mixed media, and decoration.

Acrylic paint is especially useful when you want an opaque result. If you want to make the paint slightly more transparent, you can dilute it with water or combine it with a medium.

Watercolor paint

Watercolor paint is suitable for those who enjoy working with light, transparent colors. This paint is widely used for illustrations, cards, sketchbooks, landscapes, and creative projects on paper.

Water plays a significant role in watercolor painting. By using more or less water, you determine how intense or transparent the color becomes. Watercolor paint works best on watercolor paper or sturdy paper that can absorb moisture well.

Watercolor paint is less opaque than acrylic paint. This is precisely the strength of this type of paint: you can create beautiful transitions, soft effects, and subtle layers.

Metallic paint

You use metallic paint when you want to add shine, depth, or striking accents. This paint often has a glossy or pearlescent effect, giving your project a more luxurious look.

Metallic paint is suitable for decorative objects, cards, paintings, wooden figures, Christmas decorations, ornaments, and mixed media. You can use metallic paint as a complete topcoat, but also as an accent over another layer of paint.

For the best result, it is important that the surface is clean and dry. For porous surfaces, such as wood or cardboard, a primer or gesso can help achieve more even coverage.

Paint markers

Paint markers are handy for details, lines, lettering, and small decorations. They combine the ease of a marker with the look of paint. This makes them suitable for hand lettering, cards, labels, stone painting, decoration, and details on paintings.

Paint markers are particularly pleasant when you want to work precisely. You have less chance of making a mess than with a brush and can easily create fine lines or patterns.

Gesso and primer

Gesso and primer are not finishing paints, but preparatory products. You use them to prepare a surface for paint.

A primer ensures that paint adheres better. Gesso is widely used on canvas, wood, cardboard, and other porous surfaces. It makes the surface smoother and prevents the paint from being absorbed too strongly.

Use gesso or primer especially when working on rough, absorbent, or untreated surfaces. This will give you a better result, and you'll often need less paint.

Varnish and lacquer

You use varnish and lacquer to protect your work. A finishing layer can help against dust, dirt, moisture, and light wear and tear. Especially for wooden decorations, painted objects, and paintings that need to remain beautiful for a long time, varnish is a good choice.

Various finishes are possible, such as matte, satin, or gloss. Which one you choose depends on the effect you want to achieve. A matte varnish gives a calm appearance, while a glossy varnish often makes colors appear more intense.

Which craft paint do you use on which surface?

Craft paint for canvas

For canvas, acrylic paint is usually the best choice. The paint adheres well, dries quickly, and can be applied in layers. If you want an even base, you can first treat the canvas with gesso.

Watercolor paint is less suitable for standard canvas, unless the canvas is specifically designed for watercolor techniques.

Craft paint for wood and MDF

For wood and MDF, acrylic paint works well. Lightly sand the surface and remove dust before you begin. For untreated wood, it's smart to first use primer or gesso. This helps the paint adhere better and results in a more even finish.

Do you want to protect the painted wood? Then finish the project with varnish or lacquer.

Craft paint for paper

For paper, you can use watercolor paint, water paint, acrylic paint, or paint markers. Watercolor paint works best on watercolor paper. Acrylic paint can also be used on paper, but preferably choose sturdy paper, as thin paper can ripple due to moisture.

For cards, illustrations, and sketchbooks, watercolor paint and paint markers are often a great choice.

Craft paint for stone

Painting stones works well with acrylic paint or paint markers. Make sure the stone is clean and dry before you start. For outdoor use, it's advisable to finish the stone with a suitable varnish or lacquer after painting.

Craft paint for cardboard

For cardboard, you can use acrylic paint, markers, and sometimes watercolor paint. Since cardboard absorbs moisture, it's wise not to use too much water. For a sturdier and more even result, you can first apply a thin layer of gesso.

Craft paint for beginners

Just starting with painting or crafting? Acrylic paint is often the easiest choice. The paint is versatile, dries quickly, and works on many surfaces. You also don't need complicated materials to get started.

A good basic set consists of:

• acrylic paint in multiple colors;
• a few brushes in different sizes;
• sturdy paper, canvas, or wooden surface;
• a mixing palette;
• possibly gesso or primer;
• varnish for finishing.

With this base, you can create many different creative projects.

Tips for a beautiful result

A good result starts with preparation. Make sure the surface is clean, dry, and dust-free. Are you working on wood or MDF? Lightly sand the surface. Are you working on a porous surface? Then use gesso or primer.

It's better to apply multiple thin layers than one thick layer. Thin layers dry more beautifully and often give a neater end result. Let each layer dry thoroughly before continuing.

Also, use the right brush for your project. A wide brush is handy for large areas, while a fine brush or paint marker works better for details.

Do you want to keep your project beautiful for a long time? Then finish it with varnish or lacquer.

Common mistakes with craft paint

A common mistake is painting on a dirty or dusty surface. This can cause paint to adhere less well. Always clean the surface first.

Another mistake is using too much water on thin paper or cardboard. This can cause the material to buckle or tear. For wet techniques, it's better to use sturdy paper.

Varnish is also sometimes applied too quickly. Let the paint dry completely before using a finishing coat. This prevents streaks, smudges, or an uneven finish.

Buy craft paint online

Do you want to buy craft paint for your next creative project? First, choose which surface you will be using and what effect you want to achieve. For an opaque result, acrylic paint is a good choice. For transparent effects, choose watercolor paint. For shine and accents, use metallic paint. And for a durable finish, complete your project with varnish or lacquer.

At Online Schilderij, you'll find craft paint and creative supplies for a wide range of projects. Whether you're just starting to paint, want to create a decorative object, or want to professionally finish your artwork: with the right craft paint, you'll get more out of every project.

Conclusion

Craft paint is versatile, accessible, and suitable for many creative applications. Acrylic paint is ideal for most surfaces and projects, watercolor paint is perfect for transparent effects on paper, metallic paint provides glossy accents, and varnish protects your end result.

By choosing the right paint for your surface and technique, you'll work more easily and achieve a more beautiful result. This way, every creative idea becomes a project you can be proud of.