Acrylic Painting Techniques

Discover Acrylic Painting Techniques

Discover acrylic painting techniques to help you get your art looking the way that you would like. I've always liked art and color. However, it didn't necessarily come naturally when I wanted to create art myself. I also wanted to create art that involved easy clean up and was also environmentally friendly? Acrylic Paints were the answer for me.

After watching Bob Ross on TV, I realized that I needed to learn techniques specific to acrylic painting. So here are some acrylic painting techniques that I have learned, to help you along the way with painting with acrylics.

A lot of acrylic paints are non-toxic

I started painting when my daughter was young and I definitely wanted easy clean up and safe products. That's why I chose acrylics; there are lots of brands of acrylic paints that use all non-toxic materials, and clean up can easily be done with soap and water. I actually use diluted laundry detergent. It's a great way to use up what is left in the bottle.

I also like using water color pencils, by themselves, and also to outline letters, sketch with, etc, before painting in with the acrylics. They are also predominantly safe and cleanup is easy with just water.

Using a palette for acrylic paints

Acrylic paints usually dry pretty quickly, so to preserve paint, put a small amount out on your palette for working with, and then close the paint container. Plastic containers with sealed lids make good storage options for colors that you mix yourself. Sta-wet paint palettes are also another option that prolongs workability time. With a sta-wet palette, several colors can be stored in the same place.

If I don't need to preserve a certain color for future touch ups, I usually use a clear plastid lid, usually one left over from a container that it came on. The clear lid also allows for color matching. To match a color, let a dab of the acrylic paint dry on the lid. Once dry, slide the lid over and next to the color you want to match. You can see them side by side.

Acrylic paints can dry to a slightly different shade than it is when wet, and usually a bit darker.

Masterson's Paint Palette

Click on the link to purchase from Amazon.

A Masterson's Paint Palette Keeps Paints Fresh For Days With Airtight Lid, and I am liking mine more and more. It has a thin sponge inside and a paper paint palette. It keeps my various shades of paint ready to use again for days.

Painting surfaces for acrylic paints

Acrylic Paints are versatile and can be used on a variety of surfaces. The most common is artist canvas, which can be bought on rolls, sheets, canvas boards, and already stretched on wooden frames. Other popular surfaces are non-directional wood panels, wood, and slate panels. Acrylic paints can also be used to paint on fabric which would not need to be primed, but may require it to be heat set and pre-washed without fabric softener. There are also fabric mediums to add to the acrylic paint which can make it easier to apply (the paint goes on thinner but its adhering properties stay intact.)

The more pourous surfaces, like wood, should usually be primed first. Canvas can come pre-primed or un-primed. I usually work with primed canvas, it has more body to it, though I've seen some artists paint directly on unprimed canvas.

Doing a sketch can be an aid in my acrylic painting

Blank paper and/or a sketch book allows me to create a preliminary drawing of what I want. If I am doing a commissioned drawing for someone, the preliminary drawing also helps me to get a better idea of what all will be involved, and helps me with figuring the estimate.

Canson Field Sketch Book 9x12

Amazon Price: $21.60 (as of 11/13/2009)

I like books that open up all the way; they make it easier to have a nice flat page to draw on.

My camera phone comes in handy for capturing an image I want to paint

Sometimes the sketch pad isn't handy or quick enough at the time; that's when my camera phone comes in handy. Afterwards, I easily send the image to my computer via email. That works for me!

Motorola RAZR V3 Unlocked Phone with Camera, and Video Player--U.S. Version with Warranty (Black)

Amazon Price: $99.93 (as of 11/13/2009)

Graph Paper can help in getting proportions right for the painting

Mead(R) Wireless Neatbook(R), Quadrille Ruled, 8 1/2" x 11", 80 Pages

Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 11/13/2009)

Simple graph paper is a great way to get things in proportion and to draw in the graph lines that you need.

I use sheet protectors as an aid in grid method drawing

Instead of drawing any kind of grid over my photo, etc, I drew different size grid patterns on plastic pocket type sheet proectors with an ultra fine permanent marker. (I did let it set for a long while to allow the marker to fully dry.) I then placed my photo, etc, inside them, to do the grid method drawing from.

Wilson Jones Top-Loading Heavy Weight Sheet Protector, 100-Count, Clear (W21411)

Amazon Price: $10.26 (as of 11/13/2009)

Made of durable nonstick polypropylene - keep important documents or overhead slide presentations safe.
Print Won't Stick material resists toner transfer from your documents.
Acid free and archival safe material
For letter size inserts

More details on Grid Method Drawing

Check out Grid Method Drawing:

Grid Method Drawing

Grid method drawing is used to help achieve appropriate drawing proportions. Grid method drawing, simply put, is drawing using the aid of a grid. Actually I use two grids. I place a document sheet protector with a grid drawn on it over the picture I...

Light Tracer Box

After I've done my grid method drawing, I use the Light Tracer Box to trace my drawing onto my canvas or drawing board.

Light Tracer Light Box 10''x12''

Amazon Price: $32.96 (as of 11/13/2009)

Its small size makes this light table easy to transport! Ideal for embossing and tracing projects, great for students of fashion design, animation or anyone who wants to transfer their work...like quilters! Bulb included in this great value, use 15 watt replacement bulbs. UL approved cord included.

There is also a 12" x 18" size available.

Drawing pencils are a good way to make a preliminary sketch

Graphite pencils range from hard to soft. The hard graphite pencils (H) are better for details. The soft graphite pencils (B) are better for shading and blending. The HB pencil is around the mid range. The higher the number for the B pencils, the softer the graphite.

The soft graphite pencil is another ideal tool for transferring your draft image. Lightly go over the back side of the drawing with the pencil, then lay it back side down on your painting surface, and tape it in place (with low stick painters tape). Redraw the image on the front, transferring your image to your painting surface.

Tombow MONO Professional Drawing Pencil, Assorted Degrees of Hardness, 12 Piece Set (51523)

Amazon Price: $11.21 (as of 11/14/2009)

This drawing pencil selection has both hard and soft graphite pencils.

A See through ruler by C-Thru

This 8ths Graph Beveled Ruler (12") comes in very handy for drawing straight lines. As an artist, many times it is also important to see what is under the ruler; with a C-Thru ruler, I can.

Great Drawing Books on Amazon

Sometimes another's tips can offer inspiration and a new idea on a how to. I have personally used the Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, and have found the exercises very helpful in building skill and confidence.

The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

by: Betty Edwards

Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 11/14/2009)

New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook: Guided Practice in the Five Basic Skills of Drawing

by: Betty Edwards

Amazon Price: $12.32 (as of 11/14/2009)

I like using watercolor pencils for some of my underbase drawings

Colored pencils and watercolor pencils are also great alternatives for a base drawing with color.

I have found that watercolor pencils can be exactly what I need for pre-drawing, pre-lettering, and or outlining stencils to paint in later with the acrylics. They can be painted over, and any remaining marks can easily wiped off of most surfaces with a damp paper towel after the painting has dried. When using watercolor in this manner, as a temporary part of the process, you can varnish the end product.

Staedtler Ergosoft Watercolor Pencil

Amazon Price: $24.27 (as of 11/14/2009)

I also like the softness and the grip to the Ergosoft watercolor pencils.

Blending and Highlights Using Acrylic Paint

A nice blending technique for acrylic paint is applying two different colors/shades side by side on the brush at the same time. It can also be helpful to use a blending type medium to help the paint flow better onto the painting surface.

Another blending techique is to base coat the surface first, let that dry, and then add shadings and highlights. If I want a more thorough blending affect, I re-wet the dried first coat with a second coat of that color, and then blend in my new color(s).

Some apply shadings and highlights by applying blending medium on the brush, others apply the blending medium to the painting surface first. Experiment and see what works best for you.

Also, to get a good working of paint in your brush, go back and forth on the palette with your brush a few times, adding more paint as needed. The how to books will explain this in more detail and will also have illustrations.

Using multiple colors on the brush

One way to get a nice blending or mix is to have mutliple colors or shades on the brush at the same time.

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Wet on wet technique

One way to blend is to paint wet on wet.

Sometimes I find it helpful to basecoat first, let that dry, then re-wet the basecoat again before adding in another color or shade.

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Achieving different affects with acrylic paints

Acrylic paints dry pretty quickly, especially compared to oils. Extenders can be added to increase workable time if desired, such as slo dri, floater, and glazes, which can also give the acrylic painting more of a watercolor look. Acrylic paint bought in bottles is usually thinner, and is a good choice if you want more of a watercolor look; you would still need to add a thinning medium to it.

Acrylic paint that comes in tubes is more paste like and goes on thicker. Texturizing mediums can also be added. The thicker the paint is applied, the longer the drying time.

Whichever way you go, the finished acrylic painting is coated with varnish for protection.

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Brushtroke Painting Techniques for Using Acrylic Paints

For techniques, try various ones; such as:

- hold the brush perpendicular, using only the edge of the brush as you make the stroke

- turn and/or twist the brush as you make the stroke

- push the brush down to spread the bristles out at the beginning of the stroke and then lift the brush slightly as you finish the stroke.

These are some to get you started. Which ones can you think of? Have fun, experiment, play.

Brushstroke Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Decorative Painting Brushstrokes

by: Maureen McNaughton

Amazon Price: $17.81 (as of 11/13/2009)

"I already do one stroke painting and found this book a great addition to what I already know. For the beginner who's never done Decorative painting, a few hands on classes and this book and you're good to go. For the artist who's already familiar with painting and strokes (although this book teaches you strokes) it's a wonderful addition full of ideas and techniques." Emilee Mitchel

Painting water and trees.

Notice the sweeping motion for the water, and then the artist uses a dabbing technique for the trees.

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Painting grass and multiple colors on the brush

Notice the long sweeping motion for the grass and the two colors used on the brush at the same time.

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Great Artist Brushes on Amazon

Different shapes and sizes of paint brushes will render different affects. Rounded edge brushes give a more rounded edge and can ge great in painting billowy clouds for instance. The straight edge brush comes in handy for the straighter lines that you want, the edge of a table for instance.

I have found an assortment to be good, in size as well as style. The first recommendation for acrylic paints I saw was for synthetic brushes. I've also read that for soft affects that soft hair brushes, such as sable and camel hair are good.

A tip for helping your brushes last longer is to wet them first, then squeeze the excess off with a paper towel before dipping them into the paint. And always clean them afterwards with a cool soapy water mixture until the cool rinsing water is clear.

Donna Dewberry One-Stroke Brush - #2 Script

The script brush is good for drawing lines.

Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 11/14/2009)

Brush Set One Stroke-Mini

A nice combination, two flats and a #1 script liner.

Amazon Price: $8.25 (as of 11/14/2009)

One Stroke 3/4'' Scruffy Paint Brush

The scruffy brush is great for spreading the bristles out to create bushes and texture affects. The scruffy brush also comes in different sizes.

Amazon Price: (as of 11/14/2009)

Fan Brush

The fan brush is great for painting in pine trees. Start at the top of the tree, dabbing from side to side as you increase the amount of the brush used as you go to the bottom of the tree.

The fan brush comes in different sizes.

Soft Grip Fan-Size 20/0

Amazon Price: $2.82 (as of 11/13/2009)

My favorite paint brushes

Read about my favorite paint brushes.

My favorite paint brushes

I recently joined the Rocket Moms group on Squidoo. Our second weekly assignment was to write about a prized possession; to take a walk around the house and determine what was really valuable to you. I'm glad I took that walk. My first thought of wh...

My preferred acrylic paints

Americana acrylic paint has become my preferred paint of choice. It has a pretty smooth consistency and good coverage.

Acrylic paint that comes in bottles tends to be thinner than the ones that come in tubes, but they still have some thickness. Different mediums can also be added to acrylic paints to thin them or to thicken them and to add texture to.

Americana Acrylic Paint 2 Ounce-Mint Julep Green

Amazon Price: (as of 11/14/2009)

Varnishes come in different finishes

See how the colors on the Gemstone Mosaic really stand out. Well yes the colors are bright, but I also used varnish to help in the effect. I coated all of the gemstones with a glossy varnish, and coated the black background with a matte varnish.

The gemstone mosaic painting is available as a print, on cards, stamps, and more. Click on the picture for the details.

Gemstone Mosaic Poster by Cherylsart

My favorite varnish for acrylics

Acrylic paintings are usually coated with an artist varnish for protection. Varnishes range from matte to super glossy. The varnish also helps the painting to have a more unifed look. Acrylic paintings behind glass should be matted first so that the paint doesn't touch the glass.

8 Oz Duraclear Satin Varnish

Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 11/13/2009)

DecoArt Varnish is my preferred choice of varnishes. It dries clear and flexible, is non-toxic; and also if I'm working on a piece that isn't to be framed, the edges still lay flat.

Illustrated painting tips

Two of my favorite artists for getting started was Donna Dewberry and Priscilla Hauser. They both offer great ideas for blending, and yet they are somewhat different. Blending right on the brush can give a painting a wonderful new dimension.

Another way to blend is to paint two different colors or shades side by side. With a clean brush, go back and forth over the touching areas and blend. For a more gradual blend, go further into each color as you go back and forth.

Priscilla Hauser’s Book of Decorative Painting

by: Priscilla Hauser

Amazon Price: (as of 11/13/2009)

I like that Priscilla also uses a realistic touch to her paintings,

Painting Knives

With thicker paint, as in the tubes, one can also use painting knives to paint impasto, a laying down of the paint thickly.

Six Italian Painting Knives

Amazon Price: (as of 11/14/2009)

Painting Knife Set...Six high quality Italian crafted painting knives in very popular shapes. Manufactured of high quality high flex seamless carbon steel and feature solid brass ferrules on hardwood handles. Specially coated steel allows you to spread your colors with a purity that you have never experienced before. This superior blade will assure a longer life to your tool even in areas with high humidity. Built to last using old world Italian craftsmanship.

Brushstroke Lettering Techniques

For some painting jobs I've done, people have also requested lettering. Here are some to get you started. A tip for doing letters is to also write it or outline it first using water color pencils.

A tip for practicing size, is to practice on the classifieds from the newspaper, by painting the letters and/or numbers in the columns.

Brush Lettering: An Instructional Manual of Western Brush Lettering

by: Marilyn Reaves, Eliza Schulte

Amazon Price: $26.95 (as of 11/14/2009)

"This is an excellent book for anyone trying to learn western brush lettering. First, the book discusses in detail how to choose and care for materials including brushes, paper and various media types.

For both flat brush & pointed brush writing, the book shows exactly what the strokes should look like & how to hold the brush properly. There are several warm-ups these really helped me prepare to start writing.

Some flat brush alphabets covered included are Roman & Italic Minuscules as well as Flourished Italic & Roman Capitals. Pointed brush styles include Pointed-Brush & Copperplate Scripts. Flourishing is also shown.

Both flat & pointed brush styles have sections on adapting them for other alphabets. In the back, there is a wonderful artist showcase. All artwork is black & white." Angel Lee

Watercolor paper and acrylics

Canvas is one of the preferred painting surfaces for acrylic. However, depending on what I'm painting, watercolor paper does just fine; especially when using watercolor with acrylics. If using watercolor in a finished painting, remember not to add a varnish.

Smooth surface works best for fine detail work. Rough surface gives a more textured look and feel.

Watercolor 12''X18'' Spiral Pad

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 11/13/2009)

Table Easel

My favorite easel is my table easel. It is easily transportable, has a drawer to carry supplies in, and holds canvases up to 34 inches.

If you are painting with watercolors, it's best to have a flat level surface to work on, unless you're wanting the paint to run.

Ravenna Table Easel with Drawer

Amazon Price: $49.95 (as of 11/13/2009)

Ravenna Table Top Box Easel...A roomy portable easel that securely holds your canvas (up to 34 inches) and your painting supplies. Made from seasoned hardwood it has an easily accessed side drawer plus a handy carrying handle.

Painting People in Acrylic

This is the book I have talked about in my artist blog.

Paint People in Acrylic with Lee Hammond

by: Lee Hammond

Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 11/14/2009)

Your acrylic painting technique tips

Please list your tips here:

Do you have an acrylic painting technique tip to share that wasn't already mentioned. We'd love to hear it. Thanks for sharing.

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science_fiction_novels_cyberpunk science_fiction_novels_cyberpunk Oct 25, 2009 @ 12:38 pm

IInformative and complete lens about techniques I was not aware at all. 5*

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ticklishmermaids ticklishmermaids Aug 22, 2009 @ 12:33 pm

Thanks so much very informative!

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sema sema Oct 23, 2009 @ 5:06 am

Great lens! very informative!

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DrRichard DrRichard Oct 21, 2009 @ 7:56 pm

This is a great example of how you learn something new every day

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CreativeArtist CreativeArtist Oct 9, 2009 @ 5:07 pm

You're welcome. Glad you've found the info helpful. : )

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profilesincolor profilesincolor Oct 7, 2009 @ 12:51 pm

Wonderful! Lots of great info, products, and links! :-)

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susannaduffy susannaduffy Sep 17, 2009 @ 9:51 pm

Wonderful! Blessed by a Squid Angel today. (squidoo.com/september-blessings )
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