7 No-Fail Tricks When Doing Acrylic Painting

No doubt that acrylic is a great medium for painting for beginners and experienced ones alike. In this article, we'd like to share with you some 7 no-fail tricks to up your acrylic painting game.

#1: Use a mister to keep paint moist

​If you've been working with acrylic paint, you'll notice how it dries up so quickly. Have a mister with you, fill it with water and use it to spray on your color palette to prevent from our drying out. 

You can also spray water directly on your canvas or paper to keep the paint workable. A mister is also handy if you want to achieve painting effects like drips and smears.

#2: Start with the large areas first

​Especially if you are mixing colors, one of the challenges of working with dried up paint is to remix and not achieve the same tone. To avoid this pitfall, make sure to paint large areas of your work first. Use the largest brush you have too to save you time and effort. 

You can work on the finer details of your work later. The cardinal rule is work from the general first then to the specific. This way, your painting will also not look tight.

#3: Use synthetic brushes

​Did you know that acrylic paint can be heavy and hard on brushes? This is particularly true on brushes made with natural fibers. Acrylic paint can dry out natural fibers quickly and over time cause it to brittle and degrade. 

The beauty of synthetic brushes made often with nylon or polyester is it does a better job of holding paint while mimicking the traits of natural fibers. Synthetic brushes are also easier to clean and less expensive.

#4: It is essential to have a flat brush

​Why so, you may ask? A medium-sized flat brush is probably the most versatile brush there is. Depending on the edge you paint with, a flat brush can give you a broad stroke or a thin stroke. It can achieve distinct strokes you may not otherwise achieve with any other brush. If you're painting wide areas, hold the brush from the ferrule and the bristles. If you need to do smaller, finer strokes, hold the brush close to the bristles for more control. 

#5: Always keep your brush moist

​It's never easy and wise to work with dried up paint. Aside from keeping a mister close by, make sure your brush is always wet while painting. This way, you can ensure a smooth application of your paint on your canvas or paper. 

Have one container with a shallow layer of water to keep your brushes and another container to clean your brushes between colors. It's also a good habit to clean your brushes with soap and water after.

#6: Acrylic paint dries darker when wet

​This is particularly true for student-grade acrylic paints as these contain more binder then pigment. In this case, color tends to get dark once it's dried up. 

Don't fret when this happens. Simply apply several layers of light pain in sucession until you achieve your desired lightness. Layer not only enhances the quality of your painting, but it can also add depth to the color. Make sure to double check your work and see if you've achieved the lightness you want to achieve.

#7: Use acrylic paint for layering

​Unlike water-soluble watercolor paint, acrylic paint can be added with layers even when it's already dried up. You can add layers upon layers of acrylic paint without any worry of lifting all the colors you applied beneath it. Whether you're into glazing, scumbling or experimenting with an airbrush, you'll find acrylic paints a must for layering. 

More than anything else, for any imperfections you create on your art, simply correct and layer it up with another level of acrylic paint.

Learn the ropes of acrylic painting at Art Smart

It's not very hard to learn the basics and the advanced methods of acrylic painting especially if you have Art Smart teachers guiding you every step of the way. In our studios, we strictly follow the 2:1 ration for student and ratio to ensure students are well-supervised. 

Schedule an art class with us by calling to reserve your slots at ​0995-260 8927/ 02-7886766/ 0917-8784766 / 02-6160305.