Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is a fast-drying, water-based paint made with pigment and an acrylic polymer binder. It is widely used in art and decorative projects because it is versatile and durable.
Painter
Keith Haring
Keith Haring was an American artist known for outlined figures, public murals, subway drawings, vivid color, and recurring imagery addressing social and political themes.
Related: Jean-Michel Basquiat · Andy Warhol
Keith Haring quick facts
Review key details about Keith Haring's life, career, New York art context, public work, and the social themes and visual language that shaped his practice.
| Born | May 4, 1958 · Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died | February 16, 1990 · New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Paint media | Acrylic paint · Enamel paint · Oil paint · Vinyl paint · Spray paint |
| Other media | Chalk, sumi ink, marker, DayGlo, drawing, printmaking, and sculpture |
| Common motifs | Radiant babies, barking dogs, dancing figures, hearts, television sets, crowds, and interconnected bodies |
| Common themes | Public life, sexuality, AIDS awareness, racism, consumer culture, violence, technology, and social connection |
Sources: Keith Haring Foundation biography, Keith Haring Foundation: Haring All-Over, Keith Haring Foundation: Michael Stewart – USA for Africa, Whitney Museum: Safe Sex, and Whitney Museum: Untitled (1981).
Paint types used
See the paint types documented in Haring's work, with links to PaintZeal references explaining each medium's properties, uses, and working characteristics.
Enamel Paint
Enamel paint is a broad category of coatings designed to form a hard and durable finish. Modern enamels may use either oil-based or water-based binders.
Oil Paint
Oil paint is a slow-drying paint made with pigment and a drying oil binder. It is widely used for artwork because it blends smoothly and develops rich color.
Vinyl Paint
Vinyl paint is a flexible specialty coating used to recolor or restore vinyl and related interior or trim surfaces. Some products contain vinyl resin, while other vinyl-and-fabric coatings use different flexible binders and adhesion systems, so the selected product should match both the material and intended exposure.
Spray Paint
Spray paint is a liquid coating packaged in a pressurized can and applied as a fine aerosol. It creates an even finish without requiring a brush or roller.
Surface types used
See the surface types documented in Haring's work, with links to PaintZeal references explaining how each support behaves and is prepared for painting.
Canvas
Canvas is a woven fabric used as a flexible support for painting. Artist canvas is commonly made from cotton or linen and sold either raw or coated with a ground layer.
Paper
Paper is an absorbent sheet material made from pressed fibers. Its weight, sizing, and surface texture determine how much moisture it can handle and how paint spreads.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a synthetic plastic used in both flexible and rigid products. Its additives, finish, and tendency to expand with heat can affect coating adhesion.
Plaster
Plaster is a smooth or textured wall finish made from gypsum, lime, cement, or similar mineral binders. New plaster remains porous as it cures and dries.