Acrylic Painting Techniques

Welcome to Acrylic Painting Techniques

II'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? It helped me to take the time to learn some skills and tips along the way. If any of this interesting, then I'd like to share some of what I learned with you.

Acrylics, Oils, or Watercolors?

Acrylics for the most part are rated non-toxic, and have soap and water clean up. Compared to oils, they are quick drying; however extenders and such can be added to increase workable time if desired, such as slo dri, floater, and glazes. Acrylics can be bought in bottles (The paint is usually thinner.) and tubes (The paint is more paste like). Either way, various acrylic mediums can be added to achieve more of a watercolor affect (floater, glazes) or oil affect (texturizing mediums). The finished painting is coated with varnish for protection.

Oils require paint thinner for cleaning and are generally thicker than acrylics. Oils, depending on the amount of thickness in the painting, can take an average of 6 months to dry. They can also be coated with a varnish finish made for oils. Oil paints can be painted on top of acrylic paints, and adhere; first the acrylic paint must be completely dry. More on painting with acrylics and oils can be found at essortment.com.

Watercolor paints come in solids, tubes, and liquid; you add your own water. The amount of water added increases the transparency affects. Darkening is achieved by building up layers of colors on top of the previously dried layer. Since watercolors are still water soluable when dry, for protection they can be matted and framed under glass, no varnish is applied.

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.

Palettes 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 and you can also purchase sta-wet paint palettes to prolong workability time.

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.

Palettes: Choose from a variety of palettes including ones with lids for keeping your paints wet longer.

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.

Canvases and Painting Surfaces: Choose from a variety of painting surfaces, including canvas, canvas pads, floor cloth canvas, and masonite panels.

Blank Drawing and Sketch Books on Amazon

Blank paper and/or a sketch book allows you to create whatever you want. Sketching drafts on graph paper is also helpful in figuring proportions.

Books that open up all the way make it easier to have a nice flat page to draw on.

Two Egrets Blank Journal & Sketch Book

Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)

Birches II Blank Journal & Sketch Book

Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 07/14/2009)

Fine Art Scratch and Sketch: A Cool Art Activity Book for Budding Fine Artists of All Ages (Activity Books)

by: Kerren Barbas

Amazon Price: $10.39 (as of 07/14/2009)

Graph Paper on Amazon Spotlight

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

Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)

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

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 Sheet Protectors, 50-Count, Clear Heavy Weight (W21410)

Amazon Price: $9.12 (as of 07/14/2009)

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 on Amazon

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 II Light Box 12''x18''

Amazon Price: $129.99 (as of 07/14/2009)

Drawing Pencils on Amazon

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.

Sketching Set In A Zippered Carrying Case Makes A Terrific Gift

Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 07/14/2009)

Kimberly Graphite Drawing Kit

Amazon Price: $4.95 (as of 07/14/2009)

Prismacolor Graphite Drawing Set

Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)

Great Watercolor Pencils on Amazon

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, or easily wiped off most surfaces with a damp paper towel after your painting has dried. When using watercolor in this manner, as a temporary part of the process, you can varnish the end product.

Professional Quality Watercolor Pencils, 36 Color Set (SAN04066) Category: Colored and Drawing Pencils

Amazon Price: $44.99 (as of 07/14/2009)

Staedtler Ergosoft Watercolor Pencil

Amazon Price: $28.40 (as of 07/14/2009)

Derwent Watercolor Pencils

Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)

Subscribe to the Painting Magazine of your Choice

Quick and Easy Painting: Quick & Easy Painting

Each issue is filled with great projects you can complete in a weekend. Ideal for, but not limited to, the beginning decorative painter
Watercolor Magic: Watercolor Magic

Features practical, step-by-step instruction & illustrations for watercolor painting. In addition, each issue introduces new artists, answers specific readers' questions.

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 07/14/2009)

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 07/14/2009)

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.

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.

Rob Steinke Acrylic painting workshop - E

Acrylic painting workshop, painting made easy for all ages and all abilities. For more infomation on learning how to paint http://www.cmrd.ie/goal-learning-page27958.html

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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.

Rob Steinke Acrylic painting workshop - A

Acrylic painting workshop - Painting made easy for all ages and abilities. For more infomation please visit http://www.cmrd.ie/goal-learning-page27958.html

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Brushstroke Painting Techniques 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.

Mastering Strokework is one of the best books I've used for mastering brushstroke techniques; it has great illustrations and descriptions.

Mastering Strokework

This is the book that I used that opened up more possibilities to strokework techniques.

Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)

Brushstroke Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Decorative Painting Brushstrokes

by: Maureen McNaughton

In browsing through, this one looks like a winner. It has new ideas that I'm looking forward to trying out.

Amazon Price: $17.81 (as of 07/14/2009)

Beautiful Brushstrokes Step by Step

by: Maureen McNaughton

Amazon Price: $18.24 (as of 07/14/2009)

Painting water and trees.

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

Rob Steinke Acrylic painting workshop - C

Acrylic Painting workshop, painting made easy.

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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.

Rob Steinke Acrylic painting workshop - F

Acrylic painting workshop, painting mades easy for all ages and all abilities. Please visit http://www.cmrd.ie/goal-learning-page27958.html for more information

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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.

One-Stroke Brush -#2 Script

The script brush is good for drawing lines.

Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 07/14/2009)

Mini Brush Set- #2 Flat, #6 Flat, #1 Script Liner

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

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 07/14/2009)

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 07/14/2009)

F. M. Black Gold Brush Flat Wash 1/4

The flats can be used to create leaves, all in the way you turn the brush. This series comes in different sizes and are also on Amazon. Just follow this link and then click on other products by F.M. Brush Co. Inc.

Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)

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 Golden Taklon Fan Brush-size 20/0

Amazon Price: $2.82 (as of 07/14/2009)

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...

Americana Acrylic Paint on Amazon

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-Sable Brown

Amazon Price: $1.79 (as of 07/14/2009)

Americana Acrylic Paint 2 Ounces-Purple Cow

Amazon Price: $1.99 (as of 07/14/2009)

AMERICANA ACRYLIC PAINT 2 OUNCES-GREY SKY

Amazon Price: $2.86 (as of 07/14/2009)

Americana Ebony Black 067 2oz

Amazon Price: $1.73 (as of 07/14/2009)

AMERICANA ACRYLIC PAINT 2 OUNCES-LIGHT MOCHA

Amazon Price: $1.73 (as of 07/14/2009)

Acrylic Varnishes

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.

DecoArt Products: 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.

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
See all the posters prints At Zazzle.com
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Some Great Acrylic Painting Books

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.

Donna Dewberry's One Stroke Painting Course

by: Donna Dewberry

Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)

Donna Dewberry's Complete Book of One-Stroke Painting (Decorative Painting)

by: Donna Dewberry

Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)

Priscilla Hauser's Decorative Painting Workshop

by: Priscilla Hauser

Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 07/14/2009)

Priscilla Hauser’s Book of Decorative Painting

by: Priscilla Hauser

Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 07/14/2009)

More Great Painting Tools for Acrylic Painting on Amazon

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

SCOTTY PAINTING KNIFE

The painting knife is great for thick painting and also good for scraping affects.

Amazon Price: $0.83 (as of 07/14/2009)

Liquitex Small Paint Knife #7

Amazon Price: $3.48 (as of 07/14/2009)

Six Italian Painting Knives

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 07/14/2009)

Liquitex Small Paint Knife #1

I like this style painting knife for mixing my colors together.

Amazon Price: $3.48 (as of 07/14/2009)

Great Brushstroke Lettering Techniques Books on Amazon

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 in the paper 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 07/14/2009)

Brushstroke and Free-Style Alphabets (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)

by: Dan X. Solo

Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)

Chinese Calligraphy Made Easy: A Structured Course in Creating Beautiful Brush Lettering

by: Rebecca Yue

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/14/2009)

Great Watercolor Paper Options on Amazon

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.

Canson Montval Watercolor Paper Block 10 x 14 Inch 140 lb CP 15 sheets

Amazon Price: $16.95 (as of 07/14/2009)

Arches Watercolor Block 140 LB Cold Press 20 sheets 10x14

Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 07/14/2009)

Watercolor 12''X18'' Spiral Pad

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/14/2009)

Artist Easels on Amazon

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.

If you have a table to paint on already, a table easel may be best. Floor models are better for large pieces, and for standing. Small portable easels are easier to take with you.

Mega Artist Easel with 3 Canvases

Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)

MINI EASEL ELMWOOD

Amazon Price: $7.04 (as of 07/14/2009)

Giant Dulce Easel

Amazon Price: $354.49 (as of 07/14/2009)

Painting People in Acrylic

This is the book I'm currently working through and have talked about in my artist blog.

Paint People in Acrylic with Lee Hammond

by: Lee Hammond

Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 07/14/2009)

Art Supplies Online

RexArt: RexArt
Utrecht

Acrylic Painting Technique books on Amazon

The New Acrylics: Complete Guide to the New Generation of Acrylic Paints

by: Rheni Tauchid

demonstrates new applications such as glazing, textured effects, soft sculpture effects, or staining,

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/14/2009)

An Introduction to Acrylics (DK Art School)

by: Ray Smith

Easy-to-follow projects, shown as they were created, teach the essentials while inspiring the student to tackle increasingly complex techniques. Each volume of the DK Art School series focuses on a specific medium and subject, so you can choose precisely what you want to learn.

Amazon Price: $8.00 (as of 07/14/2009)

Acrylic Revolution: New Tricks and Techniques for Working with the World's Most Versatile Medium

by: Nancy Reyner

features over 101 ways to break through the boundaries of conventional painting and re-define the creative potential of this all-purpose medium.

Amazon Price: $18.47 (as of 07/14/2009)

The Acrylics Book: Materials and Techniques for Today's Artist

by: Barclay Sheaks

, acrylic paint can mimic the appearance of oils, tempera, and watercolors in unique ways, each method pictured in a separate step-by-step demonstration.

Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 07/14/2009)

The North Light Book of Acrylic Painting Techniques

by: Earl Grenville Killeen, Lea Raechel Killeen

Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)

Your acrylic painting technique tips

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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AbbasAbedi wrote...

Excellent Lens. 5*

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Posted June 07, 2009

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ClassyGals wrote...

I love art and actually attended art school at one point in my life. Your lens on acrylic painting techniques was really informative. Thanks and congrats on the purple star!

Posted May 30, 2009

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Mickie_G wrote...

I am going to send this article to my daughter. She wants to perfect her painting skills. Congratulations on the purple star!

Posted May 30, 2009

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BigGirlBlue wrote...

Congratulations on the purple star!

Posted May 29, 2009

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Congratulations on your Purple Star! - Kathy

Posted May 29, 2009

Pointillism Techniques

Pointillism Techniques

Pointillism is a painting method of placing small dots on the painting surface to achieve various affects. The dots can be placed singly and in rows. The dots can also be placed more randombly and overlap another. You can also mix it up a bit and...

Would you like to paint something bigger?

Check out Mural Painting 101:

Mural Painting 101

Murals can be a fun way to brighten up a room, and/or to get lost in some scenery. They can take up a whole wall or a portion of the wall.

Visit my artist blog

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Painting Fun

For a minute or two, paint on-line in the style of Jackson Pollock.

Jackson Pollock by Miltos Manetas, original design by Stamen, press any key to s: Jackson Pollock by Miltos Manetas, 2003, original flash animation by Michal Migurski

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