Acrylic Painting techniques

Acrylic Painting techniques

Acrylics are extremely versatile, fast-drying paints, and can be used straight from the tube like oils or thinned with water or a medium and used like watercolors. And a lot in-between. Here are a few tips to help you get started painting with acrylics.

Acrylics are extremely versatile, fast-drying paints, and can be used straight from the tube like oils or thinned with water or a medium and used like watercolors. And a lot in-between. Here are a few tips to help you get started painting with acrylics.

Acrylic paints, a modern medium which came into general use in the 1960s, have become very popular due to their extreme versatility. They are made from pigment, water and an acrylic binder, which forms a hard, clear film as the water evaporates. It is this transparent film, reflecting light from the pigment inside it, that gives acrylic colour its brilliance.

Acrylic paints, a modern medium which came into general use in the 1960s, have become very popular due to their extreme versatility. They are made from pigment, water and an acrylic binder, which forms a hard, clear film as the water evaporates. It is this transparent film, reflecting light from the pigment inside it, that gives acrylic colour its brilliance.

Acrylics dry relatively quickly, so you don't have to wait much before painting the next layers. The film is more flexible than that of other media and is unlikely to crack.

Acrylics dry relatively quickly, so you don't have to wait much before painting the next layers. The film is more flexible than that of other media and is unlikely to crack.

Acrylics are resistant to water once dry, which means they can be overpainted without disturbing the previous color. This means that color cannot be dissolved with a damp brush as it can with watercolor.

Acrylics are resistant to water once dry, which means they can be overpainted without disturbing the previous color. This means that color cannot be dissolved with a damp brush as it can with watercolor.

Acrylics become darker in tone as they dry, rather than lighter as with watercolor, so remember to allow for this effect when mixing your colors.

Acrylics become darker in tone as they dry, rather than lighter as with watercolor, so remember to allow for this effect when mixing your colors.

You can mix them with water and use them rather like watercolor, or you can use them straight from the tube as if they were oil paints.

You can mix them with water and use them rather like watercolor, or you can use them straight from the tube as if they were oil paints.

Do not think that they are just a pale imitation of these other media, though – they are a fascinating medium in their own right and are used by many professional artists in a variety of ways.

Do not think that they are just a pale imitation of these other media, though – they are a fascinating medium in their own right and are used by many professional artists in a variety of ways.

Acrylic ‘Oil painting’ technique

Acrylic ‘Oil painting’ technique

When used straight from the tube, acrylics have a consistency very similar to that of oils. Like oils, they retain the impression of the brush or knife, allowing you to create a considerable variety of surface or textural effects.

When used straight from the tube, acrylics have a consistency very similar to that of oils. Like oils, they retain the impression of the brush or knife, allowing you to create a considerable variety of surface or textural effects.

Acrylic ‘watercolor’ technique

Acrylic ‘watercolor’ technique

By thinning acrylics with a small quantity of water and acrylic medium, a paint that can be used like transparent watercolor is produced.

By thinning acrylics with a small quantity of water and acrylic medium, a paint that can be used like transparent watercolor is produced.

Acrylic Painting Tip 1: Keeping Acrylic Paints WorkableBecause acrylics dry so fast, squeeze only a little paint out of a tube. If you're using a 'normal' plastic palette invest in a spray bottle so you can spray a fine mist over the paint regularly to keep it moist. 'Stay-wet' palettes – where the paint sits on a sheet of wax paper place on top of a damp piece of watercolor paper – eliminate the need to do this, but generally don't have a hole for your thumb so are more awkward to hold in your hand.

Acrylic Painting Tip 1: Keeping Acrylic Paints WorkableBecause acrylics dry so fast, squeeze only a little paint out of a tube. If you're using a 'normal' plastic palette invest in a spray bottle so you can spray a fine mist over the paint regularly to keep it moist. 'Stay-wet' palettes – where the paint sits on a sheet of wax paper place on top of a damp piece of watercolor paper – eliminate the need to do this, but generally don't have a hole for your thumb so are more awkward to hold in your hand.

Acrylic Painting Tip 2: Blot your BrushesKeep a piece of paper towel or cloth next to your water jar and get into the habit of wiping your brushes on it after you rise them.This prevents water drops running down the ferrule and onto your painting, making blotches.

Acrylic Painting Tip 2: Blot your BrushesKeep a piece of paper towel or cloth next to your water jar and get into the habit of wiping your brushes on it after you rise them.This prevents water drops running down the ferrule and onto your painting, making blotches.

Acrylic Painting Tip 3: Opaque or TransparentIf applied thickly – either straight from the tube or with very little water added – or if mixed with a little white, all acrylic colours can be opaque. If diluted, they can be used like watercolours or for airbrushing.

Acrylic Painting Tip 3: Opaque or TransparentIf applied thickly – either straight from the tube or with very little water added – or if mixed with a little white, all acrylic colours can be opaque. If diluted, they can be used like watercolours or for airbrushing.

Acrylic Painting Tip 4: Acrylic vs Watercolor WashesWhen an acrylic wash dries, it's permanent and, unlike a watercolor wash, is insoluble and can be over-painted without fear of disturbing the existing wash. The colors of subsequent washes mix optically with the earlier ones. A watercolor glaze can be lifted out using water and a cloth.

Acrylic Painting Tip 4: Acrylic vs Watercolor WashesWhen an acrylic wash dries, it's permanent and, unlike a watercolor wash, is insoluble and can be over-painted without fear of disturbing the existing wash. The colors of subsequent washes mix optically with the earlier ones. A watercolor glaze can be lifted out using water and a cloth.

Acrylic Painting Tip 5: Think Thin When Thinking GlazesIf you want transparent glazes, these should be built up in thin layers; a heavy layer will produce a glossy surface.

Acrylic Painting Tip 5: Think Thin When Thinking GlazesIf you want transparent glazes, these should be built up in thin layers; a heavy layer will produce a glossy surface.

Acrylic Painting Tip 6: Improve Flow Without Losing ColorTo increase the flow of a color with minimal loss of color strength, use flow-improver medium rather than just water.

Acrylic Painting Tip 6: Improve Flow Without Losing ColorTo increase the flow of a color with minimal loss of color strength, use flow-improver medium rather than just water.

Acrylic Painting Tip 7: Blending Acrylic Paints Because acrylics dry rapidly, you need to work fast if you wish to blend colors. If you're working on paper, dampening the paper will increase your working time.

Acrylic Painting Tip 7: Blending Acrylic Paints Because acrylics dry rapidly, you need to work fast if you wish to blend colors. If you're working on paper, dampening the paper will increase your working time.

Acrylic Painting Tip 8: Hard Edges Masking tape can be put onto and removed from dried acrylic paint without damaging an existing layer. This makes it easy to produce a hard or sharp edge. Make sure the edges of the tape are stuck down firmly and don't paint too thickly on the edges, otherwise you won't get a clean line when you lift it.

Acrylic Painting Tip 8: Hard Edges Masking tape can be put onto and removed from dried acrylic paint without damaging an existing layer. This makes it easy to produce a hard or sharp edge. Make sure the edges of the tape are stuck down firmly and don't paint too thickly on the edges, otherwise you won't get a clean line when you lift it.

Acrylic Painting Tip 9: Washing-up Liquid with Masking Fluid

Masking fluid can be used with acrylics washes, as well as watercolors. Once masking fluid has dried in a brush, it's nearly impossible to remove. Dipping a brush into some washing-up liquid first makes it easier to wash masking fluid out of a brush.

Acrylic Painting Tip 9: Washing-up Liquid with Masking Fluid

Masking fluid can be used with acrylics washes, as well as watercolors. Once masking fluid has dried in a brush, it's nearly impossible to remove. Dipping a brush into some washing-up liquid first makes it easier to wash masking fluid out of a brush.

Acrylic Painting Tip 10: Using Acrylic Paint as a Glue for Collage

Provided it's used fairly thickly and the item to be stuck isn't too heavy, acrylic paint will work as a glue in a collage.

Acrylic Painting Tip 10: Using Acrylic Paint as a Glue for Collage

Provided it's used fairly thickly and the item to be stuck isn't too heavy, acrylic paint will work as a glue in a collage.

http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/farp/acrylics/introduction.html

http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/farp/acrylics/introduction.html

Artwise 7-10 textbook workMargaret Olley pg84-85Jeffrey Smart pg126-127Donald Friend pg130-131

Addressing the structural frame questions