If you were to ask any professional house painter what their thoughts are about using house paint for art, they would tell you to go ahead. You see, art is all about creativity and experimenting with new ideas. It is about getting out of your comfort and allowing your mind to wander and explore different things. On the other hand, House painting is another genre of art with a particular focus on houses.
In a home, each room is seen as a distinct painting with the boundaries as the frame. When you view the home this way, you will be able to decorate it appropriately with professional house painters.
Most artists question if one can use house paint for art; after all, it is still paint. The truth is you can use house paint for art, but the quality will not be the same. However, only an experienced art critic will be able to tell this. The rest of the world won’t know the difference. The best part is that paintings are usually placed inside controlled environments, and therefore, they will not suffer damage from light and heat. It is expected, though, that the colour will shift slightly depending on the quality of pigments used.
The biggest problem lies in the kind of surface that has been used, especially if it’s on a canvas. The expansion and contraction of the canvas will cause the paint to crack and move around. The paint will flake off. The best option is to work on a rigid surface to minimize the damage. If you research famous modern painters in the mid-century who use house paint, you will find that they do not hold up well and deteriorate faster than good quality colors. This means that as much as one can use house paints for art, they are not a suitable substitute. They will never perform as well as artist paints.
It will be hectic from the word-go when it comes to mixing and blending as it is a common practice when painting. If you are doing it to present to clients, it is a bad idea since you have compromised your work quality. However, if you are painting for yourself, by all means, go ahead and do it. Otherwise, you will go down in history, being used as a bad example whenever people study art.
You can inquire from professional house painters about the challenges that they encounter with different types of paints. In the early 20th century, most artists were using oil-based enamel paints. The industry has drastically changed, and the most common house paint available is latex. Latex is water-based and cannot be compared with oil-based paint in terms of durability. Latex also discolors when exposed to light.
When you look at the pigments in artist paints, they have a greater concentration than house paints, making them have maximum color strength. Exterior house paints are made to withstand weather conditions without cracking. Artist’s oil paint, on the other hand, needs to be clear so that its appearance is not affected and colour shift is stopped.
As much as art involves brushes and paints, you cannot expect an artist to paint a house like a professional house painter. In the same way, a professional house painter will have a hard time making art. They can explore but not on a professional level. Each has to stick to their tools of trade if they want to perform well in their duties. A house painter will give the artist an idea of the best kind of art that will blend well with the house’s color scheme and vice versa. They are both in the creative industry and can work harmoniously, but shortcuts won’t cut it for top quality.
Evaluate carefully where the artwork will be used and ensure that you make the right decision. Take time and study your target clients before committing to do a piece for them. It is advisable to offer the best, especially if you want to establish yourself as a grand and make a name in the industry. A wise man once said, “House paint works great on houses. Would you consider brushing your teeth with a brass brush rather than a toothbrush? After all they are both brushes.” This should be a mind opener and should guide you on what you are supposed to do.