Hi! Question shows how new I am...

[Splash the rat]

Hi, I'm Betsy, from Northern California. I'm mostly in Pastels and Coloured Pencils, but I want to do a project with Acrylics (pro from tubes.) I read yesterday that many Acrylics often have an unpleasant smell. (It was written by a company claiming theirs didn't, so grain of salt...) I will be working in a very small space and I have a serious problem with smells. Any of you experienced folks know if this is true, and/or what brands would be best to use to avoid the bad smell? It's funny - I always thought Acrylics wouldn't have a bad smell at all ... Thanks in advance for any help.

[connievanwinssen]

I have never smelled any acrylic paints and I'm painting with them 20 years now and have had all brands.

[idylbrush]

Been working in acrylics for nearly 35 years and the only time I have ever had an issue with the smell was when a mold had formed in a bottle of paint. It wasn't the paint, it was the mold. On rare occasion I have heard some folks say there is a slight ammonia smell. I haven't experienced that much and I have an overly sensitive nose.

[old_hobbyist]

You might check out this thread:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/show...hlight=ammonia
Sometimes old/cheap/left-over acrylics off-gas when first exposed to air.

[timelady]

The only paint I've ever had a smell from is Zinc White. No idea why, and only that colour. Nothing else in acrylic has ever smelled to me!

[wilfred]

All acrylic paint colors have a slight smell but not bad. The smell I like best is the Winsor & Newton brand. Having said that, I try not to inhale it when I'm painting, I read that cadmium pigment in acrylic paint is carcinogenic.

[idylbrush]

I would like to know how you stop breathing while painting. I can't seem to accomplish that feat. Would like to know your secret.

Just use common sense and be clean.

[wilfred]

I didn't mean I hold my breath, just paint in a well ventilated room. When I do a large swath I stayed away while the paint is drying, anyway it takes only a few minutes. I also avoid the paint getting on my skin even though our skin absorbs only 1% of the cadmium if left on to dry. Yes, like you said... just use common sense and be clean.

[Wassie]

I have all kinds of acrylic paints and have never noticed any smell from any of them.

[idylbrush]

The off gassing from paint would be mostly water. As far as I know pigments don't off gas in this case unless you ultra heat them. Burning them might not be a good idea. Spraying paints might be a different problem altogether. Then it is airborne and can be inhaled easily.

[Splash the rat]

Hi again. Thanks so much for your responses; I'm hopeful I've met a medium which my asthma can't defeat!

[idylbrush]

Being asthmatic my entire life, and painting in acrylics a major portion of my life. I am hoping you have the same reaction I have had, none.

[Yellow Ogre]

Acrylics don't have fumes - Mental image of Bob Ross dipping his brush in OMS and slapping it dry against the easel. Now I have to learn to keep the second brush and knife out of my mouth

[chammi kaiser]

I am terribly sensitive to the smell of things. I have been painting with acrylics now for years. I use mainly Liquitex but there are several other brands in my studio. I have never smelled any unpleasant or chemical odours coming from the acrylics. However, as Howard says, if you allow them to get mouldy , there will be a nasty mould smell. Happened to me once and never again. Keep everything nice and clean and you will be okay.

[Mz_Sketch_Pad]

i dont smell em