Acrylic paints are one of the most versatile medium for artists. It's great to apply on any surface, it's safe and it is totally wax-free. That is why aside from canvas, artists have free rein on using acrylic paint on clothes, furniture and earthenware - the choices are endless actually!
If you are looking to use acrylic paint during your art classes or whenever you have some free time to paint, check out these nine handy tips to make the best out of your chosen type of paint.
If you are looking to use acrylic paint during your art classes or whenever you have some free time to paint, check out these nine handy tips to make the best out of your chosen type of paint.
Keep a cup of water next to your palette
This is the first of many rules when working with acrylic paint. Always have a cup of water next to your paint palette and use this to rest the tips of your paint brushes that you are not currently using. Why is this important? Because this will prevent acrylic paint from hardening on the bristles of your paint brushes. Hardened paint on a brush's bristles is the best way to ruin your paint brushes. And when you're done, use water and a little soap to clean them.
Have an atomizer next to your paint palette
Especially when painting inside a fully air-conditioned room, acrylic paint has that danger of drying up and developing into solid lumps on your paint palette. To prevent this from happening, have an atomizer (a spray bottle) within reach to keep your acrylic paints moist while sitting on the palette. And as a related tip, when working with acrylic paints, work fast! It gets drier and less-responsive when you constantly adjust and repaint the same areas on your canvas.
In any case, use a retarder
A retarder is a substance normally added to water to slow down the drying time of acrylic paint. This is widely available in bookstores along with acrylic paints. For your larger artworks requiring acrylic paint, better have a retarder at hand.
Use basic supplies for a variety of application techniques
While this goes for any type of paint you are looking forward to use, there are tons of techniques for paint application that you can use when working with acrylic paint.
Dry brushing is applying undiluted acrylic paint on canvas. This is great for applying texture and movement to your painting.
Washing is the opposite of dry brushing where you dilute acrylic paint with enough water before applying on your canvas. Washing is fantastic for when you want translucent washes on your painting surface.
Stippling is making tiny paint dots to create an illusion of texture on your canvas. You can use stippling if you want to create subtle variations in color.
Flicking is using a wet paint brush, dipping it in paint and applying it on your canvas to create an uneven splatter. Use this technique when creating abstract art. It's also a great way to add texture to your work.
Dry brushing is applying undiluted acrylic paint on canvas. This is great for applying texture and movement to your painting.
Washing is the opposite of dry brushing where you dilute acrylic paint with enough water before applying on your canvas. Washing is fantastic for when you want translucent washes on your painting surface.
Stippling is making tiny paint dots to create an illusion of texture on your canvas. You can use stippling if you want to create subtle variations in color.
Flicking is using a wet paint brush, dipping it in paint and applying it on your canvas to create an uneven splatter. Use this technique when creating abstract art. It's also a great way to add texture to your work.
Control the amount of water you use
When mixing different colors together, make sure not to use too much water. This can cause acrylics to lose its quality and natural thickness. However, if you are looking forward to thinning your paint, do it slightly. Take your paint brush and dip it in clean water. That's all you need.
For finer details, use a palette knife
Acrylic paint is amazing when creating textures because of its density. With a palette knife, you can instantly make your painting more artsy. Although an advanced technique, the use of a palette knife with acrylic paint is accessible for beginners.
How to use this? Just scrape a bit of paint using your palette knife and apply it on your canvas. Imagine you're applying icing on a cake and you'll get the motion pretty quickly. Apply this technique when doing flowers or leaves on your next artwork.
How to use this? Just scrape a bit of paint using your palette knife and apply it on your canvas. Imagine you're applying icing on a cake and you'll get the motion pretty quickly. Apply this technique when doing flowers or leaves on your next artwork.
When layering, always start from the bottom up
Layering is simply to paint in layers. It is often a combination of two methods - under painting (or sketching your painting) and glazing (adding the finer details of your work).
Start by painting massive blocks of colors or washes on the base of your canvas and then add more details and refinements as you add more layers. While layering is a technique most commonly applied when painting self-portraits, it applies to any subject matter you wish to paint.
Start by painting massive blocks of colors or washes on the base of your canvas and then add more details and refinements as you add more layers. While layering is a technique most commonly applied when painting self-portraits, it applies to any subject matter you wish to paint.
Always plan your artwork before getting started
Compared to other paint types and depending on the brand, acrylic paints are generally fast to dry. Hence, the need to sketch the output you wish to have first and then start painting in blocks.
Trace your image on your canvas and separate each color or tone in different shapes like a paint-by-numbers piece. This will guide you what color of acrylic paint to prepare first and apply on your canvas. This is a great step for beginners and can easily be employed whether you are working with monochromatic shades or a variety of colors.
Trace your image on your canvas and separate each color or tone in different shapes like a paint-by-numbers piece. This will guide you what color of acrylic paint to prepare first and apply on your canvas. This is a great step for beginners and can easily be employed whether you are working with monochromatic shades or a variety of colors.
Be creative with your color mixing techniques
Mixing colors is an exciting and simple aspect of painting. You can easily do so by using your paint brush or with a palette knife. Two creative techniques you can apply when mixing colors are making partially mixed colors and creating your family of colors.
Partially-mixed colors - instead of fully combining two colors, just give it a brief mix with your brush or palette knife. Use these partially mixed combinations when painting. You can create unique tones of the color you wish to use and get a fantastic mingling of these shades on your canvas.
A family of colors - Creating your own tones to work with for your painting will allow you to create subtle differences in your artwork. You can create artistic variances of skin tones for your canvas and when you create these pre-mixed tones ahead of time, this can definitely help you streamline the process.
Partially-mixed colors - instead of fully combining two colors, just give it a brief mix with your brush or palette knife. Use these partially mixed combinations when painting. You can create unique tones of the color you wish to use and get a fantastic mingling of these shades on your canvas.
A family of colors - Creating your own tones to work with for your painting will allow you to create subtle differences in your artwork. You can create artistic variances of skin tones for your canvas and when you create these pre-mixed tones ahead of time, this can definitely help you streamline the process.
Make sure to have fun!
Just like any painting medium, learning how to use acrylic paint is a great addition to your skills set. It gives you variety in the artworks you wish to do and helps you diversify your portfolio.
Learn the beautiful art ofacrylic painting here at Art Smart!
Our art studios are located in Marikina or 500 Shaw Zentrum. Check out our rates and schedules of art classes and get in touch with Teacher Aubrey directly for inquiries at 0917-8784766. Learn more about the Art Smart Program too at this page.
Learn the beautiful art ofacrylic painting here at Art Smart!
Our art studios are located in Marikina or 500 Shaw Zentrum. Check out our rates and schedules of art classes and get in touch with Teacher Aubrey directly for inquiries at 0917-8784766. Learn more about the Art Smart Program too at this page.
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