How to Paint with Acrylic.

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In this lesson, I want to take a break from oil and show you how to paint with acrylic. From time to time, I like to switch up which medium I use. It can sometimes spark some creative ideas. Also, if you like using acrylic as your "main" medium, this article will give you some tips.

Here is what we will cover:

• Benefits of acrylic
• Acrylic vs. oil
• Acrylic vs. watercolor
• Tips for painting

Benefits of acrylic:

I want to show you how to paint with acrylic paint because it is a versatile medium. It can be used thick like oils or thin like watercolor.

The fast drying time and low toxicity are very nice. It is a good medium to use if you don't have a proper studio, can't be around fumes, or have young kids nearby. Of course, it can be used in a serious studio as well. It is quite capable if you use it right.

The downside is that it sometimes dries a little too fast which can make mixing paint more difficult. Care must also be taken so paint doesn't dry on your palette or brushes.

Acrylic vs oil:

Oil painters who wish to learn how to paint with acrylic will be fine for the most part. They will need to adjust to the quick drying speed of the paint. The paint is also a bit more transparent and thin compared to oil.

Acrylic can be used on canvas or paper. Canvas works fine, but watercolor paper, stretched watercolor paper, watercolor blocks, primed illustration board primed wood, or other supports may be used.

I tend to use acrylic like oil for the most part. I use a lot of filbert and flat brushes with the occasional thin liner brush.

Acrylic vs watercolor:

Artists coming from a background with watercolor who wish to learn how to paint with acrylic will find that they now have more flexibility.

Acrylic can be used in transparent washes when thinned with water just like watercolor paint. The benefit now is that you can use "opaque" paint (which is thicker) to go over mistakes or repaint areas.

Of course, you can opt to use a medium to thin the paint rather than water. Sometimes water can make the paint look dull, but if you buy good brands of paint, you should be okay. Cheaper paint can easily look "chalky" if not used correctly.

Tips for painting:

Okay, now let's get into the meat of how to paint with acrylics.

In this picture, you can see some basic supplies that will really help you.

• On the right is my palette. It is plastic and can be sealed. I put the paint on a "damp" paper towel to keep them wet longer. I also spray the paint every now and then to keep it moist. Using a paper towel can also make unused paint easier to clean up. Keep it towards the edge.
• It's hard to see in the picture, but try to keep some cups or bowls filled with water for mixing and cleaning. I also keep my spray bottle handy. I put the brushes on a paper towel and keep a scrap sheet of paper or canvas under the work area to "test" colors.
• Prop up the painting to you can see it better. I'll talk more on this in a minute.
• I placed my reference photo on the table near the painting.

Now, you can see the spray bottle better. I used a watercolor block to prop up the canvas, but you can use a board, book, or anything. If the painting starts to slide, you can use some masking tape on the table to create a ridge that holds it in place.

When learning how to paint with acrylics, getting your work area set up will make life easier, especially when you are starting out.

You can also use an easel if you paint large. Unlike oil, since the paint dries fast you can rest your hand on it. So, this means you can put it flat on a table if you wish.

By the way, that painting is not finished yet.

You can cover your paints with plastic wrap to keep them from drying overnight. Be sure to spray them with some water first.

The paper towel can also be used to clean the brushes along with the water.

Here is a shot of the paint when I was just getting started with it. I chose two neutral colors and just looked for key areas to place my starting outlines. Look for the big shapes and dominant areas. Don't worry about detail in this step.

I use acrylic like oil mostly, so you can watch my videos to see my overall painting process.

Learning how to paint with acrylics does not have to be difficult. Like I said, getting your space set up and learning the basics of how acrylics work, will save you some headaches. Try working on some "scrap" paper to see what to expect. Just do some sketches of different types of scenes or objects. Try mixing color. The more you know before you start your actual painting, the less frustration and surprises you will run into.

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