Introduction: Understanding Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is a fast-drying, water-soluble medium that offers incredible versatility, durability, and vibrant color. Unlike oils, acrylics dry quickly and can be used on virtually any non-greasy surface. They can be applied in thin, transparent layers like watercolor or built up in thick, textured strokes similar to oil paints. This adaptability makes acrylics an excellent choice for beginners while offering enough complexity for advanced artists.
Essential Acrylic Painting Supplies
Basic Supply Checklist
| Category | Basic Option | Upgrade Option |
|---|---|---|
| Paints | Student-grade acrylics | Artist/professional-grade acrylics |
| Brushes | Synthetic brush set (rounds, flats, filberts) | Natural/synthetic blend brushes |
| Surfaces | Canvas panels, canvas paper | Stretched canvas, wood panels |
| Palette | Paper palette pad, plastic palette | Stay-wet palette |
| Water Container | Two plastic containers | Container with dividers |
| Additional Tools | Palette knife, paper towels, apron | Texture tools, spray bottle, easel |
Paint Colors for a Starter Palette
Primary Colors:
- Cadmium Red Medium (or Pyrrole Red)
- Cadmium Yellow Medium (or Hansa Yellow)
- Ultramarine Blue
Secondary/Additional Colors:
- Phthalo Blue (green shade)
- Burnt Sienna
- Yellow Ochre
- Titanium White (large tube)
- Mars or Ivory Black
Brush Types and Their Uses
| Brush Type | Shape | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Pointed tip, round ferrule | Detail work, lines, controlled strokes |
| Flat | Squared-off tip, flat ferrule | Block-in color, straight edges, broad strokes |
| Filbert | Oval-shaped tip | Blending, soft edges, versatile strokes |
| Bright | Short, flat bristles | Thick paint application, short controlled strokes |
| Fan | Fan-shaped bristles | Blending, textures, foliage, hair effects |
| Angle | Angled tip | Curved lines, precise edges, corners |
| Liner/Rigger | Very thin round brush | Fine details, signature, thin lines |
| Mop | Soft, rounded brush | Soft blending, glazing, washes |
Painting Surfaces
- Canvas: Primed stretched canvas or canvas panels
- Paper: Acrylic paper, watercolor paper, mixed media paper (140lb+)
- Wood: Gessoed wood panels or boards
- Other: Glass, metal, ceramic, plastic (with proper preparation)
Foundational Acrylic Techniques
Basic Brushstrokes
- Flat Wash: Broad, even application of diluted paint
- Graded Wash: Wash that transitions from dark to light
- Dry Brush: Using minimal paint on a dry brush for texture
- Stippling: Creating texture with dotting motions
- Hatching/Cross-Hatching: Parallel or crossed lines for shading
- Scumbling: Light, circular motions with a nearly dry brush
- Blocking In: Using large, flat strokes to establish basic shapes and colors
Color Mixing Essentials
- Primary Colors: Red, Yellow, Blue
- Secondary Colors: Orange (Red + Yellow), Green (Yellow + Blue), Purple (Blue + Red)
- Tertiary Colors: Red-Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow-Green, Blue-Green, Blue-Purple, Red-Purple
- Complementary Colors: Opposite on the color wheel (creates dynamic contrast)
- Analogous Colors: Adjacent on the color wheel (creates harmony)
- Tints: Color + White
- Shades: Color + Black (use sparingly)
- Tones: Color + Gray (or complementary color)
Tip: Instead of using black to darken colors, try mixing in the complementary color for more vibrant shadows.
Paint Consistency Adjustments
| Consistency | How to Achieve | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Thin/Watery | Add plenty of water | Washes, staining, watercolor effects |
| Flowing | Add water or acrylic medium | Smooth blending, even coverage |
| Creamy | Straight from the tube | General painting, most techniques |
| Thick/Heavy Body | Straight from tube or add gel medium | Impasto, texture, palette knife work |
| Stiff | Thickening gel or modeling paste | Heavy textures, 3D effects |
Acrylic Painting Methods
Layering Technique
- Base layer: Apply thin, diluted paint
- Let dry completely (one of acrylic’s advantages)
- Middle layers: Build up color and form
- Final layers: Add details and highlights
- Allow each layer to dry before applying the next
Tip: Work from thin to thick applications for best results.
Wet-on-Wet Blending
- Apply paint to your surface
- Work quickly before the paint dries
- Add a second color adjacent to or on top of the first
- Blend edges with a clean, damp brush or soft brush
- Use a retarder medium to extend working time if needed
Glazing
- Create base painting and allow to dry completely
- Mix transparent glaze: Color + glazing medium (3:1 or 4:1 ratio)
- Apply thin glaze over dry paint with soft brush
- Allow to dry between glazes
- Build up multiple glazes for depth and luminosity
Dry Brushing
- Load brush with paint (creamy consistency)
- Wipe most paint off on paper towel
- Brush lightly across the surface texture
- Paint will catch on raised areas only
- Great for textures: rocks, wood, fur, highlights
Palette Knife Techniques
| Technique | Method | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Spreading | Apply paint and spread like butter | Smooth, even coverage |
| Scraping | Drag knife edge across wet paint | Reveals underlayers, creates texture |
| Impasto | Apply thick paint with flat of knife | Bold, three-dimensional texture |
| Sgraffito | Scratch into wet paint with knife tip | Create line details in wet paint |
| Blending | Mix colors directly on canvas | Smooth gradients or marbled effects |
Splattering and Dripping
- Load brush with fluid paint
- For splatters: Tap brush against another brush/stick
- For drips: Allow paint to drip from loaded brush
- Control direction by angling the canvas
- Add interest to abstract work or create special effects (stars, rain, texture)
Color and Composition Basics
Color Theory Quick Reference
- Warm Colors (Reds, Oranges, Yellows): Energetic, advancing, stimulating
- Cool Colors (Blues, Greens, Purples): Calming, receding, soothing
- High Value Contrast: Dramatic, eye-catching, dynamic
- Low Value Contrast: Subtle, atmospheric, unified
- Saturated Colors: Vibrant, bold, attention-grabbing
- Desaturated Colors: Sophisticated, subdued, recessive
Value Scale Creation
- Create a 7-step value scale: Black → White
- Squint at your painting to check values
- Ensure proper contrast between elements
- Remember: Value (light/dark) creates form more than color
Basic Composition Guidelines
- Rule of Thirds: Divide canvas into 9 equal parts; place focal points at intersections
- Golden Ratio: 1:1.618 proportion for pleasing division of space
- Leading Lines: Use directional elements to guide viewer’s eye
- Value Patterns: Establish clear hierarchy of light, mid, and dark areas
- Focal Point: Create one clear area of interest through contrast, detail, or color
- Simplification: Remove unnecessary elements to strengthen composition
Special Effects and Texture Techniques
Creating Visual Texture
| Technique | Method | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Sponging | Dab paint with natural sponge | Foliage, clouds, stone |
| Plastic Wrap | Press plastic onto wet paint and remove when dry | Organic patterns, water |
| Salt | Sprinkle salt on wet paint | Starry skies, snow effects |
| Cling Film | Press onto wet paint, scrunch, remove when dry | Marble, water patterns |
| Lifting | Remove wet paint with paper towel/cloth | Clouds, highlights, corrections |
| Alcohol | Drop rubbing alcohol into wet paint | Cell-like patterns, abstracts |
Creating Physical Texture
- Modeling Paste: Apply with knife/tool, let dry, paint over
- Gel Mediums: Add body and transparency to paint
- Found Objects: Press objects into wet medium (leaves, fabric, etc.)
- Mixed Media: Incorporate collage, sand, coffee grounds, etc.
- Gesso Texturing: Apply gesso with various tools for textured base
Special Effect Mediums
| Medium | Effect | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Gloss Medium | Increases shine and transparency | Glazing, wet-look finishes |
| Matte Medium | Reduces shine, increases transparency | Glazing, subtle finishes |
| Gel Medium | Increases body, maintains color intensity | Impasto, body, texture |
| Modeling Paste | Creates 3D textures | Relief work, heavy textures |
| Flow Improver | Increases flow without diluting | Staining, fluid painting techniques |
| Retarder | Slows drying time | Blending, wet-in-wet techniques |
| Iridescent Medium | Adds pearl/metallic effect | Highlights, special effects |
Problem-Solving and Corrections
Common Issues and Solutions
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Paint drying too quickly | Use retarder medium or keep a spray bottle handy |
| Muddy colors | Mix colors less, use cleaner palette, limit palette |
| Unwanted texture | Sand lightly between layers or apply gesso over dried paint |
| Lifting paint when adding layers | Ensure bottom layer is fully dry, use less pressure |
| Canvas showing through | Apply an initial colored ground, use multiple layers |
| Paint beading up | Surface may be greasy or glossy; add more gesso or light sand |
| Cracking | Apply thin to thick (fat over lean), avoid too much water in thick layers |
Fixing Mistakes
- Wet Paint: Simply wipe away with damp cloth
- Dry Paint: Paint over with opaque color once completely dry
- Major Changes: Apply gesso over area and repaint
- Color Adjustments: Use glazing to adjust tone without repainting
- Value Adjustments: Add transparent glazes to darken, opaque highlights to lighten
Step-by-Step Painting Process
Setting Up Your Workspace
- Cover your work surface with protective material
- Arrange supplies within easy reach
- Set up adequate lighting (north-facing natural light is ideal)
- Prepare water containers (one for washing, one for mixing)
- Ready your palette with room for mixing
- Sketch or plan your composition before starting
Beginning a Painting
- Prepare surface with gesso if needed (1-2 coats, sanding between)
- Create initial sketch lightly with pencil or thinned paint
- Apply toned ground (thin layer of mid-tone color) if desired
- Block in major shapes with thin paint, establishing composition
- Establish value pattern with simplified light and dark areas
Developing the Painting
- Work from general to specific
- Build up layers, working on the entire painting rather than finishing one section
- Establish mid-tones before adding darkest darks and lightest lights
- Step back frequently to assess overall effect
- Allow appropriate drying time between layers
Finishing Touches
- Add final details and highlights
- Make final adjustments to create balance
- Check for areas needing more definition or contrast
- Sign your work when completely satisfied
- Apply varnish after painting is fully cured (2+ weeks)
Best Practices and Tips
Acrylic Painting Lifehacks
- Keep a spray bottle of water to mist your palette/painting
- Use a stay-wet palette to extend paint usability
- Wrap brushes in plastic wrap for short breaks to prevent drying
- Store excess mixed paint in small airtight containers
- Use white gesso to reclaim old canvases
- Save old gift/credit cards as impromptu palette knives
- Keep baby wipes handy for quick cleanup
- Hairdryer on cool setting can speed up drying between layers
Color Mixing Time-Savers
- Pre-mix common colors at the beginning of a session
- Create a color chart for your specific paints
- Mix a slightly larger batch than needed for consistent coverage
- Use the “mother color” technique: add a small amount of one color to all mixtures for harmony
- Mix with a palette knife rather than your brush to preserve brush life
Brush Care
- Rinse thoroughly during and after painting
- Wash with mild soap at the end of session
- Reshape bristles with fingers
- Dry horizontally or bristles down
- Never leave brushes standing in water
- Store brushes bristle-up in containers or flat in cases
Resources for Further Learning
Recommended Books
- “Acrylic Painting for Beginners” by Tappan, Will
- “Acrylics for the Absolute Beginner” by Ford, Charles
- “Color Theory: An Essential Guide to Color” by Lewis, Patti
- “Compendium of Acrylic Painting Techniques” by Barron, Gill
- “Daily Painting” by Marine, Carol
Online Learning
- YouTube Artists: James Gurney, Will Kemp Art School, Chuck Black Art, Lachri Fine Art
- Online Courses: Skillshare, Udemy, Creative Live
- Art Communities: WetCanvas, Reddit r/acrylicpainting, DeviantArt
Art Supply Resources
- Color Charts: Golden, Liquitex, Winsor & Newton have printable charts
- Sample Sets: Look for “introductory sets” from major brands
- Student Discounts: Many art supply stores offer discounts with ID
- Online Retailers: Blick Art Materials, Jerry’s Artarama, Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff
Conclusion
Acrylic painting offers endless possibilities for creative expression through its versatility and forgiving nature. Begin with basic techniques, gradually experiment with more advanced methods, and develop your own style through consistent practice. The key to improvement is patience, experimentation, and a willingness to learn from both successes and mistakes. Happy painting!