Hi, has anyone had some experience with the new atelier acrylics. I am considering changing from my beloved oils because of the spirit cleaning etc. I've seen the professionals use them on the painting channel on tv, but then they make everything look good and easy. Do they really give the same blending results as oils? Many thanks.

Hello Stephanie I usually use Liquidex Acrylics but because of it being soo hard to blend I thought I would try the Atelier. I bought the small 12 tube set to try. I must say I am rather disappointed as, like you, the professionals seem to get it right. My experience so far is that I do not get any better results than the normal acrylic. I would like to think that the more I use them the more I will get used to them but so far no better results. You do get a free C.D. with the 12 tube set and it is quite a cheap option to try them out.

I have tried these atelier paints and was very disheartened with the results and the effects I got, completely destroying one really good painting....I then tried some normal acrylics with gel retarder added, got a much better result and could still blend after two hours....took a bit of practice...all right a lot of practice but wont be wasting my money on the atelier ones again. Regards Tracey

I bought some Atelier just last week and I am absolutely thrilled with them. I have only done one small painting to try them out but really liked how they worked. http://www.painters-online.co.uk/gallery/album.asp?id=3693 I painted onto a regular acrylic background; left it to dry for several hours and painted on top of the atelier with no lifting but when I sprayed areas I did want to blend , it worked perfectly. I then left it overnight and was still able to go back and blend perfectly the next day. I can't wait to try them on a portrait.

Have you tried using Baby Oil for cleaning your brushes? It takes a bit longer to remove the paint from the brush and you have to remove any residue with paper towels but it does work Bryan

I have been painting in various media for six years and finally settled on oils as acrylics didn't work for me due to a lack of blending , but I recently bought the atelier interactive and decided to spend some time and get to know the product and how it worked mainly for ease of use in the life drawing room and they are now a useful addition to my media I will still use oils but its good to work both !
They are similar to oils but not the same and as different as chalk and cheese when compared to the old acrylics!
I would buy a few and give them a go I was impressed maybe you will too?

Just spotted the date of this enquiry maybe you have tried them by now?!!!

I had some 'ordinary' acrylics and bought the Atelier starter set when it first came out and liked the extra workability.
At the 2010 All About Art show at Islington, I joined Mitch Waite's demonstration and thoroughly enjoyed it, I would so love to go to his painting holidays in the south of France! Do look up his painting demonstrations on his website and YouTube and he will probably be at the 2011 show.
John.