Beginners Guide To Acrylic Painting - Lessons, Resources & Techniques
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he acrylic painting medium is fairly new and has only been around since the 1950's. Since then, it has continually been under development and refinement. Acrylic paint is highly favored amongst artists because of its versatility. It can be applied in a thick fashion as an impasto having rich texture or in washes mimicking the characteristics of watercolor. Another likable characteristic of acrylic paint is its permanence. Unlike oil paints, acrylic paint is not susceptible to yellowing or hardening with age. With acrylic paint, the artist does not need to be concerned with the order the paint is applied or other special techniques that ensure the paint film remains free from cracking.
So now that you know a bit more about the acrylic painting medium, I am sure you want to get started. This lens on acrylic painting will provide you with all of the information and resources that you need to get started and improve your painting skills.
Enjoy and happy painting! If you should have any questions or comments, please leave your details in the feedback box further down this page. Thanks!
he acrylic painting medium is fairly new and has only been around since the 1950's. Since then, it has continually been under development and refinement. Acrylic paint is highly favored amongst artists because of its versatility. It can be applied in a thick fashion as an impasto having rich texture or in washes mimicking the characteristics of watercolor. Another likable characteristic of acrylic paint is its permanence. Unlike oil paints, acrylic paint is not susceptible to yellowing or hardening with age. With acrylic paint, the artist does not need to be concerned with the order the paint is applied or other special techniques that ensure the paint film remains free from cracking.
So now that you know a bit more about the acrylic painting medium, I am sure you want to get started. This lens on acrylic painting will provide you with all of the information and resources that you need to get started and improve your painting skills.
Enjoy and happy painting! If you should have any questions or comments, please leave your details in the feedback box further down this page. Thanks!
You may also want to visit my other online resources for artists:
Creative Spotlite - Free Art & Crafts Lessons & Resources For Beginners - This is my first site created over 6 years ago. It is a growing collection of free arts and crafts demonstrations and lessons on a variety of different topics including painting, drawing, crafts and photography.
The Art Instruction Blog - Free Art Instruction and Resources for Beginners - This is my blog on art instruction. It has become quite popular and is filled with lots of great resources for artists including step by step demos, artist interviews, videos, projects and more!
What Will You Find on this Lens?
Everything About Acyrlic Painting:
- Artist Poll
- Free Art Ebook
- Acrylic Painting Supplies
- Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Complete Set
- Recommended Acrylic Painting Books From Amazon
- Painting a Mural For a Church By Julie Lamons
- Free Acrylic Painting Video Lessons
- Highly Recommended Acrylic Painting DVD
- Acrylic Painting Resources From Around The Web
- Step by Step Acrylic Painting Tutorial & Tips By Lesly Finn
- If you enjoyed this lens, be a sport and leave some feedback....Thanks!
- At The Dock - A Step by Step Acrylic Painting Demonstration by Brian Rice
- Acrylic Painting Demo From Lorraine Vatcher
- Buy Your Acrylic Painting Supplies Online
- Step By Step Acrylic Painting Demonstration
- DVD - Acrylic Landscape Painting: Tools & Techniques by Hugh Greer
- Step By Step Acrylic painting tutorial By Harmony Steel
- More Squidoo Art Instruction Lenses
- "After Monet" - Acrylic Painting Demonstration By Brian Rice
- More Great Acrylic Painting Books
- A Direct Approach to Acrylic Painting by Greg Biolchini
Artist Poll
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Free Art Ebook
Inside The Artist's Studio
Acrylic Painting Supplies
What Materials Do I Need To Buy?
No matter what medium an artist is working with, when it comes time to choosing supplies, beginners can become very confused. Today's art supply stores are packed with a variety of brands, tools and materials that can make anyone's head spin.
There is no need to get stressed out over your acrylic painting supplies. In fact, it really is an easy process. In the beginning, there is no need to purchase expensive supplies or any special mediums or tools. A simple beginners kit will suffice.
Below are two excellent beginner kits that I highly recommend.
Liquitex Classic Acrylic Painting Starter Set
This is a great starter set for learning to paint with acrylics The set leads you step-by-step through the process of creating the Old Mill painting featured on the front of the box. The set contains six 22 ml. tubes of Heavy Body Professional Acrylic Artist Colors (formerly known as High Viscosity Acrylic Artist Colors), one 59 ml. tube of titanium white, one bottle of Gloss Medium & Varnish (118 ml.), two brushes (#6 round and #10 shader), one palette knife, one canvas board (10 in. x 8 in.), a project booklet with complete and detailed instructions for completing the painting. Colors in the set are burnt sienna, cadmium red medium hue, cadmium orange hue, cadmium yellow medium hue, cobalt blue hue, and mars black.
Click Here to Purchase This Acrylic Painting Kit
There is no need to get stressed out over your acrylic painting supplies. In fact, it really is an easy process. In the beginning, there is no need to purchase expensive supplies or any special mediums or tools. A simple beginners kit will suffice.
Below are two excellent beginner kits that I highly recommend.
Liquitex Classic Acrylic Painting Starter Set
This is a great starter set for learning to paint with acrylics The set leads you step-by-step through the process of creating the Old Mill painting featured on the front of the box. The set contains six 22 ml. tubes of Heavy Body Professional Acrylic Artist Colors (formerly known as High Viscosity Acrylic Artist Colors), one 59 ml. tube of titanium white, one bottle of Gloss Medium & Varnish (118 ml.), two brushes (#6 round and #10 shader), one palette knife, one canvas board (10 in. x 8 in.), a project booklet with complete and detailed instructions for completing the painting. Colors in the set are burnt sienna, cadmium red medium hue, cadmium orange hue, cadmium yellow medium hue, cobalt blue hue, and mars black.Click Here to Purchase This Acrylic Painting Kit
Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Complete Set
This large, attractive gift set contains nine 60 ml tubes of Galeria Acrylic Color, one 60 ml tube of Acrylic Gel Medium, two Galeria brushes, Winsor Canvas Board, Plastic Palette and instructional pamphlet. Colors are: Cadmium Yellow Medium, Cadmium Red Hue, Crimson, Winsor Blue, Phthalo Green, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber and Titanium White.
Click Here to Purchase the Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Complete Set
Recommended Acrylic Painting Books From Amazon
The New Acrylics: Complete Guide to the New Generation of Acrylic Paints
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/22/2009) 
Painting with Acrylics (Acrylic Tips & Techniques)
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 11/22/2009)
The Acrylic Painter’s Book of Styles and Techniques
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 11/22/2009)
An Introduction to Acrylics (DK Art School)
Amazon Price: $8.00 (as of 11/22/2009)
The Acrylics Book: Materials and Techniques for Today's Artist
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 11/22/2009)
Painting a Mural For a Church By Julie Lamons
I was asked by the pastor of a local church if I would be interested in painting a mural. Despite some doubts (not least of which was the practicalities of working on scaffolding up to ceiling height), I said yes and before I knew it I was presenting a slide show of ideas at a church meeting.My brief from this first meeting was to present three scenes in one: the cross, the tomb, and the ascension of Christ. I began evaluating the mural space - a 9×23 feet rectangle with a peak at the center - to find the appropriate style and approach to fulfill the church's needs.
I sketched out my composition onto two sheets of paper I'd stuck together. (Later I gridded it up into inch squares to help me transfer the design to the wall.) I wanted to put some landscape (trees or shrubs) between each scene to make it look more natural. I did some research on the Internet to see what the landscape in the area in Israel actually looks like, then mixed in a little artistic license.
Follow this link to view the rest of this mural painting demonstration...
Free Acrylic Painting Video Lessons
How to Paint with Acrylic Paint : How to Paint a Sky Using Acrylics
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How to Paint with Acrylic Paint : How to Prepare your Canvas to Paint with Acrylics
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49973 views
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How to Paint with Acrylic Paint : Choosing an Acrylic Paint Brush
Runtime: 1:22
27373 views
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How to Paint with Acrylic Paint : Acrylic Painting with Translucent Paints & Washes
Runtime: 1:42
8601 views
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How to Paint with Acrylic Paint : Controlling Opacity & Brightness when Painting with Acrylics
Runtime: 3:37
48782 views
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How to Paint with Acrylic Paint : Types of Surfaces to Paint with Acrylics
Runtime: 1:30
7072 views
9 Comments:
How to Paint with Acrylic Paint : Alla Prima Painting with Acrylic Paint
Runtime: 3:28
21752 views
10 Comments:
curated content from YouTube
Highly Recommended Acrylic Painting DVD
DVD-Acrylic Landscapes, The Watercolor Way with Charles Harrington
Join Charles Harrington in Acrylic Landscapes, the Watercolor Way and learn how to capitalize on the unique advantages of acrylics including the ability to layer opaque, translucent and transparent effects. See how he combines the subtle color shifts and luminosity of watercolor with the durability of acrylics.Charles Harrington AWS DF, ISAP draws on the best features of both acrylic and watercolor in his acrylic landscape painting workshop. He achieves the subtle color shifts and luminous transparency of watercolor while attaining the durability of acrylic. He also introduces tools and techniques perfected over years as an architect.
At home in the Ozarks, Charles introduces his portable plein air kit and paints a study that will serve as his reference in the studio. Back indoors, Charles works in the watercolorist's style. He uses light preliminary washes and thin layers of pigment, allowing him to vary colors at every stage. Charles modifies his larger painting from his original plein air reference to achieve stronger design and value balance.
Charles also harnesses acrylics unique ability to layer opaque, translucent and transparent passages harmoniously. He mixes sparingly on his palette and heavily on the paper to create complicated blends and avoid flat, dull grays. He uses a spray bottle, splattering and active brushwork to break up large shapes and create lifelike texture.
Discover an alternative to watercolor and capitalize on the unique advantages of acrylics with Charles Harrington in Acrylic Landscapes, the Watercolor Way
Click here for more information including pricing, reviews and a free preview!
Acrylic Painting Resources From Around The Web
Acrylic Painting Techniques
Do you like art or making art? Do you like to pain more...1 point
Acrylic Painting Articles & Demonstrations
Free acrylic painting lessons, tips, and step by s more...0 points
Acrylic Painting - WannaLearn.com
High-quality instructional guides, tutorials, less more...0 points
http://www.expertvillage.com/interviews/paint-with-acrylics.htm
How to Paint with Acrylic Paint: Free online lesso more...0 points
Art Instruction For Beginners - Art Instruction Blog » Acrylic Painting Lessons, Articles & Tips
Free tips and articles on acrylic painting.0 points
Acrylic Painting Tips -- 10 Acrylic Painting Tips for Beginners
Acrylics are extremely versatile, fast-drying pain more...0 points
Acrylic Painting Techniques & Tutorials
Learn acrylic painting techniques quickly and easi more...0 points
Acrylic Painting, at 'FARP', Tutorials
Everything you need to know about painting with ac more...0 points
Step by Step Acrylic Painting Tutorial & Tips By Lesly Finn
I am English and emigrated to New Zealand with my husband in 1999, since when I have been able to pursue a long held dream of expressing myself with paint. Ideas for my work come from a variety of sources, including images from the natural world, dreams, emotions and memories. These are portrayed through a mix of colour, texture and contrast that evolve during the act of painting.I enjoy drawing and pastel work, and paint with acrylic on canvas, often incorporating collage and textured elements. For me one of the many joys of painting is the continuous exploration and development of ideas, and my hope is that the resulting work will give pleasure and invite quiet contemplation.
- Lesly Finn
Follow this link to view a step by step acrylic painting demonstration by Lesly Finn
If you enjoyed this lens, be a sport and leave some feedback....Thanks!
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- Krystalight Krystalight Jun 16, 2009 @ 4:51 pm
- Hi! I am looking forward to looking through this lens more thoroughly, but I'd like to mention a correction you might want to make. The heading on the second section of this lens is really bad. The grammar does not make sense. "What's will you on this acrylic painting lens?" see what I mean? I would recommend something like "What will you find in this acrylic painting lens?"
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- AbbasAbedi AbbasAbedi Jun 7, 2009 @ 3:10 pm
- Excellent Lens. 5*
If you get a chance check out my Instant Stress Management lens.
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- aLundy aLundy May 19, 2009 @ 7:34 am
- Very informative lens. Great information for any aspiring artist.
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- Jimmie Jimmie May 16, 2009 @ 4:25 am
- You're officially blessed!
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- AppalachianCountry AppalachianCountry May 12, 2009 @ 8:06 am
- Great lens. Thank-you so much for the videos. I want to take the lessons one day soon. I already have some paint.
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At The Dock - A Step by Step Acrylic Painting Demonstration by Brian Rice
Brian has no formal training in art. He is self taught and learns most from a careful observation of the order and design of the natural world . He believes that "nature is the artwork of a creator/master artist who displays a wisdom and a genius that we have only begun to understand". His focus is to create art that will cause the soul to search for a deeper meaning in an increasingly chaotic world.He started striving for a photo realism style in the 1990's and achieved it to some degree, but, he found the style did not evoke much emotion and set out on a journey to find a style that was realistic but, with a much looser impressionistic approach.
Eighteen of his paintings were on display at his hometown Petrolia Library during the Summer of 2004.
The Painting "The Newfoundland Cabin" appeared in "Guest Gallery "which is a page in the downhomer magazine; www.Downhome.com is the biggest magazine on the Canadian eastcoast with 26,000 subscribers. This magazine also has a gallery and gift shop in St. John's, Newfoundland which now carries prints of the painting "seasons of life"
Click here to view the acrylic painting instructions...
Acrylic Painting Demo From Lorraine Vatcher
Another amazing painting to share with you. Lorraine Vatcher was kind enough to share another demonstration with us. The title of this painting is "Reflections of Pink and Blue."Click here to view this acrylic painting demo...
Buy Your Acrylic Painting Supplies Online
Liquitex Classic 12 Tube Set
Amazon Price: $49.00 (as of 11/22/2009)
Liquitex Classic Starter Set: Old Mill
Amazon Price: $36.29 (as of 11/22/2009)
Galeria Acrylic 10 Tube 60ml Basic Set
Amazon Price: $23.49 (as of 11/22/2009)
Acrylic Artists Set Includes Paints, Brushes And Other Essentials In A Sturdy Wood Carrying Case
Amazon Price: $29.75 (as of 11/22/2009)
Galeria Acrylic Color Complete Easel Set
Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)
Step By Step Acrylic Painting Demonstration
A new step by step acrylic painting demonstration has been posted on my blog. The painting is entitled "Nature's Decorations" and it was created by the very talented Lorraine Vatcher.Click here to view the free acrylic painting lesson.
DVD - Acrylic Landscape Painting: Tools & Techniques by Hugh Greer
Get a great start in acrylic landscape painting with award winning artist Hugh Greer. The beginning level acrylic painting lessons in this instructional video, Acrylic Landscape Painting: Tools & Techniques, will get you excited to take your acrylic painting to the next level! Learn Hugh Greer's acrylic painting style and the techniques and tools he uses in his landscape painting.Acrylic Landscape Painting: Tools and Techniques
Hugh Greer demonstrates the flexibility of acrylics as both an opaque and a transparent medium. He covers a variety of tools, presents a versatile money-saving limited palette, simple color mixing tips, creating lively blacks and demonstrates several basic landscape images that will get you off to an enthusiastic start.
Click here for pricing, customer review and a free preview!
Step By Step Acrylic painting tutorial By Harmony Steel
This tutorial is an instructive walkthrough of how I created "Alien Landscape" including details about paints, brushes, palettes and acrylic painting techniques. The painting was created with Atelier acrylics on a 20"x30" gallery-wrapped canvas. There's a few images here so you may need to give them a minute to load...Click here to view the rest of this acrylic painting lesson
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"After Monet" - Acrylic Painting Demonstration By Brian Rice
"After Monet" is my copy of one of Claude Monet's famous paintings " Garden at Sainte Adresse ". It has never been my practice to copy another painter. But , in my progression as a student, in the fine art of painting , I felt that undertaking this course of study, of a master painter, would be beneficial.This painting has a style that I am after in my own work ; a blend of realism and impressionism. The original painting is 38"x 50" . My version of it is aprox one third of that size, at 14" x18". It is an acrylic painting done on a canvas covered panel...
Follow this link to view the rest of this acrylic painting tutorial...
More Great Acrylic Painting Books
Buy Your Art Books Online at Amazon....
Acrylic Revolution: New Tricks and Techniques for Working with the World's Most Versatile Medium
Amazon Price: $18.47 (as of 11/22/2009)
Brush with Acrylics: Painting the Easy Way
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/22/2009)
Acrylic School: A Practical Guide to Painting with Acrylic (Reader's Digest Learn-As-You-Go-Guide)
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 11/22/2009)
Rethinking Acrylic: Radical Solutions For Exploiting The World's Most Versatile Medium
Amazon Price: $19.79 (as of 11/22/2009)
First Steps Painting Acrylics (First Step Series)
Amazon Price: $16.23 (as of 11/22/2009)
A Direct Approach to Acrylic Painting by Greg Biolchini
For years I stayed away from acrylics, thinking they were certainly not a medium for a representational realist painter such as myself. They dried too fast, making it impossible for serious paint manipulation. I am very glad my curiosity finally got the best of me and I began to experiment with this wonderful, timesaving, uncomplicated medium."To begin, I like to prepare my own canvas. I start with a medium-textured canvas that I stretch myself on heavy-duty professional stretcher bars. I give the canvas three or four good coats of acrylic gesso, sanding between coats.
Working from my own photographs, I started my Great Blue Heron painting by drawing a center of interest with soft willow vine charcoal. Using a big stick of soft charcoal, I drew the lily pads and grass, quickly blocking in the darks and lights. The soft charcoal was well-suited for this spontaneous process-all I had to do to make changes was wipe away the charcoal with a paper towel....
Please follow this link to view this Acrylic Painting Tutorial in its Entirety
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