Acrylic Painting: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for Beginners

Acrylic painting is a versatile and popular medium used by artists worldwide. It is known (and loved) for its fast-drying properties, water solubility, and flexibility, as it’s able to be manipulated in color, texture, and thickness. Additionally, many artists prefer working with this medium due to the safety benefits – unlike oils, acrylics do not require harsh solvents, making them a safer and more accessible option for artists of all levels. 

Today, we’re going to explore the basics of the versatile art medium. In this blog post, we’ll review the properties of acrylics, teach you the most common techniques, and share a few of our tips to help you get started. Whether you’re brand-new to acrylics or you’re just looking to brush up on your skills, this guide will help you become more familiar with this beloved medium.

Properties of Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is made from pigment particles suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion. The polymer acts as a binder, holding the pigment particles together and adhering them to the surface. Acrylic paint is water-soluble when wet, but dries quickly to a water-resistant finish.

One of the main advantages of acrylic painting is the paint's versatility. It can be used on many types of surfaces, including paper, canvas, wood, and even glass. It can also be mixed with a wide range of acrylic mediums to achieve any working properties you can imagine. Additionally, acrylic is ideal for mixed media applications with watercolor, pastels, collage, ink, and more to create unique effects that truly make your piece stand out from the rest. Acrylic paints are also known for their opacity – the paint can be applied thickly to create texture and depth, or thinned with water or medium to create a translucent wash. Finally, acrylics are resistant to cracking and yellowing, making them a durable option for artists, especially artists who like to paint thick.

Types of Acrylic Paint

Based on the properties of this medium alone, you can probably see why so many artists enjoy acrylic painting. But there are other benefits to acrylics that make them extremely accessible to artists of all skill levels. Acrylic paints come in a range of types and qualities, including artists' acrylics, student-grade acrylics, and craft acrylics. Here is a quick breakdown of the different types:

1. Artist Acrylics
   Artists' acrylics are the highest quality acrylic paints available. They are made with high levels of high-quality pigment and less filler, resulting in cleaner color mixtures. Artists' acrylics are available in a wide range of lightfast colors and are perfect for professional artists who require a high level of control versatility, and longevity in their paintings. We offer a wide variety of artists’ acrylics here at Cheap Joes, from individual paints to acrylic painting sets – our American Journey Artists’ Acrylic Sets are an excellent choice for experienced painters.

2. Student Grade Acrylics
   Student-grade acrylics are a more affordable option than artists' acrylics. Although they may contain the same quality pigments as artist acrylics, they have a lower pigment load, more filler, and can be made of less lightfast pigments They are available in a limited range of colors but are ideal for students or hobbyists who are still learning the basics of painting with acrylics.

3. Craft Acrylics
   Craft acrylics are lower quality acrylic paint that is designed for use in crafts and home decor projects where lightfastness is not a concern. They have a low pigment load and a thin consistency, which makes them easy to use for a variety of applications, such as painting on surfaces like wood or glass. Craft acrylics are available in numerous different colors and are great for casual crafters.

 In addition to these types of acrylic paints, there are also other variations, such as heavy-body acrylics, fluid acrylics, and acrylic inks. Heavy body acrylics have a thick consistency and are ideal for impasto and other techniques that require a lot of texture. Fluid acrylics are thinner and have a higher pigment load, which makes them great for pouring and other techniques that require a smooth, even finish. Acrylic inks are highly concentrated, fluid acrylics that are meant for use in drawing, calligraphy, and other applications where a fine, precise line or wash is required.

Acrylic Painting Techniques

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, there are a variety of techniques for this kind of painting that you can use to achieve different effects, from creating texture and depth to blending and layering colors. In this section, we'll explore some of the most popular and effective acrylic painting techniques, including wet-on-wet, glazing, dry-brushing, impasto, and stippling. With these techniques in your toolkit, you'll be able to take your acrylic paintings to the next level and create stunning, unique works of art.

Technique #1: Wet-On-Wet

The wet-on-wet technique involves applying wet paint onto a wet surface. This technique allows the colors to blend seamlessly, creating a soft and dreamy effect. The wet surface also makes it easier to create smooth transitions between colors and blend them. Here are the steps for using this technique:

1. Prepare your painting surface: Start by priming your surface with gesso and allowing it to dry completely. You can also spray/mist the surface with water to keep it moist and ready for painting.
2. Choose your colors: Select the colors you want to use for your painting and squeeze them onto your palette. When blending acrylics, it’s best to work in small areas at a time so you may only need a few colors mixed at a time.
3. Wet your brush: Dip your brush into water and blot it on a paper towel to remove any excess water.
4. Load your brush with paint: Dip your brush into one of the colors and load it with a good generous amount of paint - the thicker your paint, the slower it will dry.
5. Apply the paint, working in small sections to keep ahead of the drying paint: Using a gentle, sweeping motion, apply the paint to the wet surface. Be sure to work quickly and avoid overworking the paint.
6. Blend the colors: Repeat steps 4 and 5 with your other colors, blending them as you go. You can use a clean brush to help blend the colors without adding extra paint. A fan brush is ideal for this.
7. Continue painting: Once you've covered the area you want to paint, continue to work on other sections of the painting, keeping the surface wet as you go.

TIP: Mix your acrylic colors with a retarder medium that will slow the drying time. Or use Golden Open Acrylic Paint which stays wet much longer than normal acrylics, allowing easy blending without feeling rushed.

Technique #2: Glazing

The glazing technique involves a process of layering thin, transparent coats of paint over a base layer to create depth and luminosity in the artwork. This technique is commonly used in oil painting, but it can also be done successfully with acrylics. Glazing is a rich and beautiful way to build unique layered colors and values. To use the glazing technique, follow these steps:

1. Choose your colors: Select the colors you want to use for your painting and squeeze them onto your palette. You'll need a base color and one or more transparent colors for glazing.
2. Apply the base layer: Using a brush or roller, apply the base color to the entire surface you want to paint. Allow it to dry completely.
3. Mix the glaze: Mix your color with a glazing medium. This is a clear acrylic medium that extends the drying time of the paint and makes it more transparent. The amount of glaze you use will depend on the effect you want to achieve. More medium equals more transparency. Choose from gloss, satin, or matte finishes.
4. Apply the glaze: Using a soft brush, apply the glaze to the surface in thin, transparent layers. Allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next layer.
5. Build up the layers: Continue to apply thin layers of glaze until you achieve the desired depth and luminosity. Be patient and allow each layer to dry completely before adding the next layer. 
6. Finish the painting: Once you've built up the layers, you can add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

Technique #3: Dry-brushing

Dry-brushing involves using a dry brush with a small amount of paint to create a textured, rough, and scratchy effect on the surface of the painting. This technique is used to create the appearance of textures like grass, hair, fur, or wood grain. Here’s how to do it:

1. Choose your brush: Select a stiff-bristled brush, such as a hog-bristle brush or a dry-brush brush. Whatever brush you choose should have firm bristles that can hold the paint without becoming too soft or floppy.
2. Dip the brush into the paint: Dip the brush into the paint, but make sure to remove any excess paint by wiping it off on a paper towel. The brush should have only a small amount of paint on the tips of the bristles.
3. Test the brush: Test the brush on a scrap piece of paper or canvas to see how the paint looks when applied with a dry brush. You can also adjust the amount of paint on the brush by adding more or wiping off excess paint.
4. Apply the paint: Using a light touch, drag the dry brush over the surface of the painting in the direction of the texture you want to create. This will create a textured, scratchy effect that mimics the appearance of the texture.
5. Layer the paint: For a more pronounced effect, layer the paint by applying additional dry brush strokes over the same area. Each layer should have only a small amount of paint on the brush. In this way, colors can build up in layers, peeking through the texture of each subsequent layer to create interesting optical color mixing.

Technique #4: Impasto

This option involves applying thick layers of paint to create a three-dimensional texture on the surface of the canvas. Impasto is used to create a sense of depth, luminosity, and movement in the artwork. To use the impasto technique with acrylics, follow these steps:

1. Choose your paint: Select high-quality acrylic paint with a thick consistency, such as heavy body acrylics. These paints have a high pigment load and are perfect for creating thick layers of paint. Or you can mix an acrylic gel medium into any viscosity of acrylic paint to give it thickness.
2. Prepare the canvas: Choose a canvas or a painting surface that can support the weight of the thick paint. Apply a layer of gesso or acrylic medium to prime the canvas, and allow it to dry completely.
3. Load the paint: Squeeze a generous amount of paint onto your palette or mixing surface. Use a palette knife or a brush to mix the paint and achieve the desired consistency.
4. Apply the paint: Using a palette knife, spatula, or a brush, apply the paint in thick, textured layers to create the desired effect. Build up the layers to create a sense of depth and movement. If using a brush, choose a stiff-bristled brush, not a soft one.
5. Create texture: While the paint is still wet, use different tools such as sponges, brushes, or palette knives to create texture on the surface of the paint. You can create ridges, bumps, or grooves to create interest and variation in the surface. 
6. Allow the paint to dry: Impasto painting requires time to dry completely, and the drying time may vary depending on the thickness of the paint. It's essential to allow each layer to dry completely before adding additional layers.

Technique #5: Stippling

The last technique we’re going to discuss is stippling. This one involves applying tiny dots or stippled marks of paint to create a textured, pointillist effect on the surface of the canvas, creating the appearance of texture, light, and shadow in the artwork. To achieve the stippling technique with your acrylics, follow these steps:

1. Choose your brush: Select a small, stiff-bristled brush, such as a round or flat brush. The brush should have firm bristles that can hold the paint without becoming too soft or floppy.
2. Load the brush: Dip the brush into the paint, making sure to remove any excess paint by wiping it off on a paper towel. The brush should have only a small amount of paint on the tips of the bristles.
3. Apply the paint: Using a light touch, apply the paint to the canvas in small, dotted marks or stippled patterns. Vary the pressure and the density of the dots to create a textured, pointillist effect.
4. Layer the paint: For a more pronounced effect, layer the paint by applying additional stippled marks over the same area. Each layer should have only a small amount of paint on the brush. Adding lots of stippled layers is the key to success with this technique.
5. Create texture: Use different brush sizes, shapes, and colors to create variation in the texture and the color of the paint. Experiment with different techniques to create effects.

Acrylic Painting Tips and Tricks

Looking for some more tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your acrylic painting experience? Here are 9 additional aspects to consider when you’re working with acrylics:

1. Keep your brushes clean: Acrylic paint dries quickly, so it's important to keep your brushes clean. Make sure to regularly clean your brushes with warm water as you’re working, and do a deep clean afterward, using warm water and a small amount of mild soap.
2. Use a palette knife: Palette knives are useful for applying thick layers of paint, creating texture, and scraping away mistakes. Experiment with different shapes and sizes to see what works best for you. They can also preserve your brush bristles longer by mixing colors on your palette instead of using your brush.
3. Layering: Acrylics dry quickly, so layering is key to building up depth and complexity in your painting. Start with thin layers and gradually build up thicker layers as you go.
4. Experiment with mediums: Acrylics can be mixed with a variety of mediums to alter their properties. For example, adding a matte medium can give your paint a satin finish, while adding a gloss medium can make it shiny. Experiment with different mediums to see how they affect your paint.
5. Use a spray bottle: If you're working on a large canvas and want to keep your paint wet, use a spray bottle to mist the surface with water. This will help prevent the paint from drying out too quickly.
6. Don't be afraid to mix colors: Acrylics are very forgiving when it comes to mixing colors. So get adventurous – try out different combinations to create unique hues and shades. You can always paint over it later if you don’t like it!
7. Work from dark to light: As you’re painting, you’ll want to start with darker colors and gradually work towards lighter ones. This will help you build up depth and create a more realistic-looking painting.
8. Use a white gesso base: Applying a layer of white gesso to your surface before painting can help your colors appear brighter and more vibrant. Alternatively, use a colored gesso to create instant color interest from the beginning.
9. Use a limited color palette: Limiting your color palette can help you create more cohesive and harmonious artwork. Choose a few colors that work well together and stick with them as the main colors of your painting.

Elevate Your Work with Cheap Joe’s

By following these tips and tricks, you can improve your painting skills and create acrylic artwork that you're truly proud of. Just remember, the most important thing is to experiment, have fun, and never stop learning! Don’t forget to shop Cheap Joe’s for all your art supply needs – we offer high-quality products for artists of all skill levels. And if you need inspiration, check out the Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff YouTube channel. We’re always posting sample clips, instructional videos, and even art lessons so you can improve your craft anywhere, anytime.