A Beginners Guide to Colourful and Expressive Painting With Acrylics
Student Work - 10 Week course - Cranes in Acrylic
Set Up Your Workspace :
Set up a clean, well-lit area where you can work comfortably. If you’re using an easel or art board, position it at a good height and angle for painting comfortably, position your canvas or tape down your paper.
Lay out your palette, paints, a jug of water, brushes, and paper towel within easy reach.
Prepare Your Surface :
If you’re using a pre-stretched canvas, it’s usually already primed, but if you’re working on unprimed canvas or wood, you’ll need to apply a layer of acrylic gesso. This will help the paint adhere better and prevent absorption into the surface.
There is no need to prime acrylic paper as it’s already coated. Secure the edges with low tack tape for a crisp border.
Plan Your Painting :
Map out the desired scale and composition by using HB pencil or a thin layer of acrylic to outline the basic shapes.
Keep your sketch simple, and don’t worry about mistakes. Thin layers are easy to paint over once dry.
Mix Your Colours :
There is no need to dilute acrylic paint, it is ready to use straight from the container. Squeeze out a small amount of paint from the tubes onto your palette. If the paint feels too thick or dry, you can use a wet brush to loosen it.
You can mix colors together to create new shades, and it’s helpful to mix small amounts at a time, as acrylics dry quickly.
Acrylics often dry darker, so mix colours a little lighter and brighter than you desire for the correct outcome when dry.
Block in The Base, Then Layer On Top
Beginning with a base layer, often called an ‘underpainting’, you can use colours to block in a base coat that you’ll paint over later. Unless diluted, acrylics are opaque ( not see-through ) which means you are able to layer up without the colour underneath showing through. This means it’s fabulous for making changes and correcting mistakes.
Layering: Unlike oil paints, acrylics dry quickly, which allows you to add subsequent layers in the same session. Start with background features, and work forwards, adding more detail in the foreground to create a sense of depth.
Should you wish to add translucent layers, you can simply dilute the paint a little. Aim for the consistency of single cream. Diluting further to a runny consistency can cause the paint to split and separate.
Blending and Transitions :
Acrylics dry fast, so blending in a short time frame can be challenging. Try using a large wet brush, or a soft, damp sponge to smooth transitions between colours while the paint is still wet and workable.
Work quickly if you want to blend colors together, as the paint will begin to dry within minutes in a warm environment.
Adding Texture :
Acrylic paint can be used for textured effects. It is full bodied, thick enough to print with, using textured card or sponges. You can use the impasto technique ( thick layers ) with a palette knife, or add mediums to create raised, textured surfaces.
Acrylic mediums are often available in different finishes (gloss, matte, satin) and can help build up a raised surface.
Finishing Touches
If you want to create highlights, shadows, or details, just wait for each layer to dry before adding the next. Once the main content of the painting is complete, switch to smaller brushes for finishing touches.
For a fun flourish you can also add spatter with acrylics. Dilute to the consistency of single cream, then splash away!
Additional Tips for Acrylic Painting :
Drying Time: Acrylics dry quickly, which is great for building layers but can be challenging if you want to blend colours. You can extend drying time by using acrylic retarders, or simply work in smaller sections at a time.
Keep Brushes Wet: Acrylics dry on brushes quickly, so it's important to keep your brushes wet in between sessions. If you're not using them, soak them in water or put them in a brush holder.
Experiment with Mediums: Acrylic mediums are great for altering the consistency, texture, and finish of your paint. Some common mediums include: Gloss , Matte, Body, Texture and Extender ( to slow drying time ).
Cleaning Up: Acrylics are water-based but can stain, so wear old clothes, rest your brushes in the water jug and make sure to clean up spills quickly. Wash your brushes and tools with washing up liquid and water. We love baby wipes for emergencies!
Acrylics are a wonderfully flexible medium that allow you to explore a wide range of techniques and effects. The quick drying time and ability to layer make it perfect for both fast and detailed work. With practice, you’ll be able to master blending, textures, and different painting styles. Enjoy the creative process!