Acrylic Painting Safety: Why I Wear Gloves
As artists we spend a lot of time with our hands directly in paint, and over the years I’ve learned that protecting myself is just as important as creating. In this article I’ll share why I always wear gloves when painting with acrylics. You can watch the full video embedded below and then read on, because I expand on the main points and add tips from my experience. If you want to make gathering materials easier, you can also grab my free Acrylic Painting Supply List.
Watch the video
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Why Gloves Matter for Artists
When I first started painting full time, I didn’t give much thought to wearing gloves. I worried they might interfere with the fine details of my brushwork and that I’d lose some of the dexterity in my fingers. But after years of painting hundreds of acrylic pieces, I realized how important it is to protect my skin. The truth is that every painting session involves hours of exposure to pigments and additives that sit directly on your hands.
It only took a short adjustment period before painting with gloves felt natural. Now I don’t even notice them. The peace of mind that comes from knowing I’m taking steps to reduce chemical exposure makes it well worth it. If you paint daily, or even several times a week, gloves are one of the easiest ways to protect your long term health while continuing to create freely.
What’s Really in Acrylic Paint
Most paints are labeled non toxic or low toxicity, but that can be misleading. Acrylic paints often contain things like phthalates and ammonia along with other chemical compounds that sound unfamiliar but still affect our health. Manufacturers test paints for safety in small exposures, like the amount on the tip of a brush, not for the cumulative hours of contact many artists experience.
This means that while a little paint on your hands may not cause an issue, layers of it soaking into your skin for hours could be different. Some people even develop allergic reactions that cause redness, blisters, or peeling. Even if you don’t have those immediate reactions, it’s worth thinking about how repeated exposure could affect you years from now.
Balancing Risk and Frequency
Not every artist paints with the same intensity. If you only paint for an hour every few months, gloves may not feel necessary unless you’re prone to skin reactions. But if you’re painting daily like I do, the amount of contact adds up quickly. When you think about it in terms of lifelong exposure, it makes sense to take precautions now instead of waiting for problems to show up later.
I see gloves as an investment in being able to keep making art for the long haul. We don’t know exactly what long term risks exist in paint formulas, but it makes sense to minimize exposure whenever possible. Simple steps like this help ensure that the passion you love today is something you can sustain for years to come.
Choosing and Using the Right Gloves
Not all gloves are equal. I personally use nitrile gloves because they provide the strongest barrier against chemicals compared to latex or vinyl. They also fit snugly, so I can still paint with precision without losing control of my brushstrokes.
Another benefit is that you don’t need to throw them away after every session. I often reuse a pair of gloves for several paintings until they’re too caked with paint to be comfortable. This stretches your supply, saves money, and reduces waste. It’s a small habit that makes a big difference both for your studio budget and the environment.
Final Thoughts
Painting with gloves might feel unusual at first, but once you get used to them you’ll wonder why you waited so long. The extra protection lets you focus fully on your art without worrying about what’s seeping into your skin. For full time artists especially, this small change can add up to a big difference in your health over the years.
If you’d like to dive deeper into acrylic techniques, I recommend reading my article on how to paint flat areas of color in acrylics. It’s filled with tips that will help you improve control, consistency, and effects in your work.