For stage performances and theatrical displays, you can use household latex paint, but paint formulated for the stage works best for four reasons:
1. Scenic Paint uses pure, vibrant pigments with no chalky fillers, so you can blend colors without looking muddy.
2. Scenic paints have enough binder (glue) to allow considerable dilution, making them inexpensive and versatile.
3. Scenic paints dry to a very matte finish, adding to the illusion of depth and richness of color when lit.
4. Scenic paints are durable, made to withstand the physical wear and tear and wide fluctuations in temperature and humidity encountered during scenery construction, installation, execution, transportation, and storage. (Household paints are designed for hard, static surfaces in very stable environments.)
Here’s an overview of the types of paint you can choose from:
1. Vinyl Acrylic Paint (Off Broadway) is used straight from the can, making it easy to use. It’s especially great if you’re working with K-12 students. Will stick to almost any surface, colors can be mixed and white with white is used to whiten other colors.
2. Supersaturated Roscopaint is versatile. It can be thinned substantially (1:3-20 parts water) without losing its binding strength, making it a good choice for watercolor effects, layering, and translucent washes. Its flexible acrylic base makes it a good choice for roll drops and other soft items. It also sticks to non-porous surfaces like plastic and metal.
3. Sculptural Coatings Water-based paints are another versatile option. Mix 1:1 or 1:2 parts water for opaque results or 1:5-15 parts water for translucent washes. These paints dry to a glossy matte finish and produce deep, pure, vibrant tones even on hard-to-paint surfaces.
4. Casein-type paints (Iddings Deep Color) require some mixing skill, but offer vibrant colors and an absolute matte finish, making them the first choice of performing artists for over fifty years. Another advantage of casein paint is that it can be re-wetted. It’s often helpful when the paint falls off so you can reactivate the paint you applied earlier. Casein paints come in a concentrated paste that must be diluted at least 1:1 with water.
The base of casein paints is made from soy protein, making them vulnerable to bacterial attack once opened, but they can be easily preserved with liquid Lysol. To maximize its life, remove only the amount of paint needed and reseal the can immediately (you can also cover the surface of the remaining paint with a thin layer of liquid Lysol). Adding 2 ounces of liquid Lysol per gallon (1 tablespoon per quart) of mixed color will help slow the growth of bacteria.
Copyright 2007 ATPA