Acrylic Painting Acrylic Painting TipsTips

THE MEDIUM-THE MEDIUM-

All acrylics are made from coloured All acrylics are made from coloured pigments mixed with synthetic resin pigments mixed with synthetic resin which acts as the binder and which acts as the binder and adhesive. Once dry acrylic colours adhesive. Once dry acrylic colours form a tough plastic coating which is form a tough plastic coating which is almost indestructible.almost indestructible.

Acrylic PaintAcrylic Paint

Change your rinse water often to Change your rinse water often to keep colours pure and cleankeep colours pure and clean

Wash brushes with cool water, not Wash brushes with cool water, not hothot

Paint left to dry on clothing or in Paint left to dry on clothing or in brushes becomes permanent – wash brushes becomes permanent – wash while wet!while wet!

If you get paint on your clothes, rinse If you get paint on your clothes, rinse it out with cold waterit out with cold water

Acrylic PaintAcrylic Paint

Blend colours together on the painting Blend colours together on the painting surface while wet to achieve gradual surface while wet to achieve gradual changes in value/tonechanges in value/tone

If you want an area to be well blended, it’s If you want an area to be well blended, it’s a good idea to pre-mix the colours you will a good idea to pre-mix the colours you will need so you can apply them more quickly need so you can apply them more quickly and be able to blend while still wet. For and be able to blend while still wet. For example, if you want to blend a red into a example, if you want to blend a red into a yellow, pre-mix a couple in between yellow, pre-mix a couple in between colours – this way, not all your blending is colours – this way, not all your blending is done on the painting surface, allowing you done on the painting surface, allowing you to work quickerto work quicker

Acrylic PaintAcrylic Paint

Acrylic dries slightly darker than it Acrylic dries slightly darker than it looks when wetlooks when wet

If an area doesn’t work out, let it dry If an area doesn’t work out, let it dry and simply paint over it again – it is and simply paint over it again – it is very forgiving!very forgiving!

Acrylic PaintAcrylic Paint

Opaque from the tube- easy to paint one Opaque from the tube- easy to paint one colour over another, even a light colour over colour over another, even a light colour over another one only takes one coatanother one only takes one coat

Translucent when one adds water- bold or Translucent when one adds water- bold or subtle transparent washes. Does not behave subtle transparent washes. Does not behave as watercolour; washes are unsolvable so as watercolour; washes are unsolvable so once dry cannot be removed. This allows you once dry cannot be removed. This allows you to add one transparent colour over another to add one transparent colour over another without disturbing the colour underneath. without disturbing the colour underneath. They also dry to a rather flat finish, the more They also dry to a rather flat finish, the more water you use the less shiny the final work.water you use the less shiny the final work.

Can be applied thickly to add texture. Can be applied thickly to add texture. Mediums can be used to make this even Mediums can be used to make this even thicker.thicker.

Acrylics are adhesive which works Acrylics are adhesive which works well with collage.well with collage.

SurfacesSurfaces Painting surfaces- wide range- canvas, board, Painting surfaces- wide range- canvas, board,

cardboard, paper; also, plastic, metal, formica and cardboard, paper; also, plastic, metal, formica and other surfaces. All surfaces should be primed to other surfaces. All surfaces should be primed to seal the surface and provide a key for the paint to seal the surface and provide a key for the paint to adhere to. It will not adhere to an oily or waxy adhere to. It will not adhere to an oily or waxy surface so do not use it to paint over an old oil surface so do not use it to paint over an old oil painting. Acrylic gesso or acrylic primer provides a painting. Acrylic gesso or acrylic primer provides a good white surface. To retain the colour of the good white surface. To retain the colour of the canvas board, card or paper seal the surface with canvas board, card or paper seal the surface with acrylic gloss or matt medium.acrylic gloss or matt medium.

Bought surfaces- ready primed for acrylic use Bought surfaces- ready primed for acrylic use including, stretched canvas, boards, and canvas including, stretched canvas, boards, and canvas covered boards as well as special papers which covered boards as well as special papers which have a texture similar to canvas.-limited range of have a texture similar to canvas.-limited range of sizes and shapessizes and shapes

Inexpensive alternatives- hardboard, masonite, Inexpensive alternatives- hardboard, masonite, cardboard, thick paper- prime with two coats. cardboard, thick paper- prime with two coats.

LayeringLayering

Most effective way to adjust colours , Most effective way to adjust colours , tones and composition by overlaying tones and composition by overlaying paint rather than manipulating wet paint rather than manipulating wet paint on canvas as with oils.paint on canvas as with oils.

ACCESSORIES AND ADDITIVES-ACCESSORIES AND ADDITIVES- Palettes-use white plastic palettes or flat plastic or Palettes-use white plastic palettes or flat plastic or

glass sheets, not wooden palettes. Keep paint moist glass sheets, not wooden palettes. Keep paint moist while you work with an occasional spray of water.while you work with an occasional spray of water.

Styrofoam trays with moistened paper towels- can Styrofoam trays with moistened paper towels- can keep paint moist on a limited budget- cover with tinfoilkeep paint moist on a limited budget- cover with tinfoil

Paint- tube paint generally thicker than that in jars.Paint- tube paint generally thicker than that in jars. Mediums-gloss medium- allows the paint to become Mediums-gloss medium- allows the paint to become

transparent with a shinier result. Often used when one transparent with a shinier result. Often used when one colour needs to be seen underneath. Matt is the same colour needs to be seen underneath. Matt is the same but leaves it with a non=reflecting surface.but leaves it with a non=reflecting surface.

Gel Medium and Texture paste- used to make it Gel Medium and Texture paste- used to make it thicker, allowing for texturizing with a brush, knife or thicker, allowing for texturizing with a brush, knife or other tools. You can also make your own special other tools. You can also make your own special textures by adding sand sawdust or other substances.textures by adding sand sawdust or other substances.

Retarder- slows down drying time, used with thick Retarder- slows down drying time, used with thick paint to allow time for texturizing.paint to allow time for texturizing.

GlazingGlazingBuilding up layers of transparent colours. Paints can be thinned with water (dull) or acrylic mediums (slight to high gloss

LayeringLayering

The first step should be an The first step should be an underpainting.underpainting.

Underpaintings should not be Underpaintings should not be detailed.detailed.

This first layer of paint covers This first layer of paint covers the the gessogesso (primer) and (primer) and prevents white areas. It can prevents white areas. It can also add a different tint to also add a different tint to layers on top of it. It can be layers on top of it. It can be one colour for the entire one colour for the entire painting, or different colours painting, or different colours for different areas.for different areas.

Layering, con’tLayering, con’t Sometimes painters allow Sometimes painters allow

portions of the underpainting portions of the underpainting to show through, forming what to show through, forming what looks like an outline.looks like an outline.

Allow successive layers to dry before building on top so the colours don’t become muddy; add glaze layers on dry paint to change tone of an area

Painting OrderPainting Order Work from Work from backgroundbackground

to to middle groundmiddle ground to to foregroundforeground! !

For example, in the For example, in the example shown here, sky example shown here, sky first, then blue hills, first, then blue hills, brown hills, white hills, brown hills, white hills, then trees.then trees.

Also consider that dark Also consider that dark colours layer over light colours layer over light colours more easily than colours more easily than light over dark.light over dark.

WASHES:WASHES:

Three uses you want your picture to look like Three uses you want your picture to look like a watercolour, or you want to use it as a a watercolour, or you want to use it as a starting place for your picture, or you want to starting place for your picture, or you want to use it as an overlaid colour. The latter is use it as an overlaid colour. The latter is known as glazing and change the underlying known as glazing and change the underlying colour without obliterating it. Some paints colour without obliterating it. Some paints are strong and do not work well as glazes, are strong and do not work well as glazes, such as phythalo blue and alizarin crimson. such as phythalo blue and alizarin crimson. Remember water produces matt finish and Remember water produces matt finish and medium a gloss finish.medium a gloss finish.

BrushstrokesBrushstrokes impastoimpasto - A thick or lumpy application of - A thick or lumpy application of paintpaint, ,

or deep or deep brushbrush marks ( marks (brushstrokesbrushstrokes), as ), as distinguished from a distinguished from a flatflat, smooth paint , smooth paint surfacesurface. . (pr. im-PAHS-toh)(pr. im-PAHS-toh)

May be thinned with water or a medium to get May be thinned with water or a medium to get watercolour like effectwatercolour like effect

Scumbling/drybrushing can be used on top of Scumbling/drybrushing can be used on top of completely dry areas to add soft, broken, completely dry areas to add soft, broken, transparent areas of colour – good for highlights transparent areas of colour – good for highlights for examplefor example

Broad brushstrokes of thinned paint are good for Broad brushstrokes of thinned paint are good for underpainting and blocking in large areas of underpainting and blocking in large areas of colour. Smaller brushstrokes with thicker paint colour. Smaller brushstrokes with thicker paint are useful for adding detailsare useful for adding details

Build up from thin to thick (for the most Build up from thin to thick (for the most part)part)

TEXTURE:TEXTURE:

Don’t over do it- it can take away from the Don’t over do it- it can take away from the picture, be selectivepicture, be selective

Model with a knife, scratch into with a brush Model with a knife, scratch into with a brush handle (show layer underneath), imprint handle (show layer underneath), imprint with another material such as tinfoil; with another material such as tinfoil; combing; dab with your finger; dab from the combing; dab with your finger; dab from the tube; stipple with the flat of a knife; mix with tube; stipple with the flat of a knife; mix with sawdust , sand, rocksalt, rice, eggshells sawdust , sand, rocksalt, rice, eggshells etc. ; have candlewax below, paint over etc. ; have candlewax below, paint over such things as a doiley (stencil), paint over such things as a doiley (stencil), paint over applied fabric.applied fabric.

1. Use a ground1. Use a ground There are many There are many

benefits to working on benefits to working on a ground. One of these a ground. One of these is increased painting or is increased painting or drawing speed. A drawing speed. A ground covers a ground covers a painting or drawing painting or drawing surface from the surface from the outset. It can act as outset. It can act as mid-tone, with only mid-tone, with only black and white used to black and white used to apply dark and light apply dark and light areas (as in the areas (as in the examples below) or be examples below) or be left partially visible in left partially visible in the final work. This the final work. This results in an artwork results in an artwork that is much faster to that is much faster to completecomplete

2. Incorporate mixed media /patterned surfaces / 2. Incorporate mixed media /patterned surfaces / textural elementstextural elements

As with using a ground, patterned, decorative or textural As with using a ground, patterned, decorative or textural items can cover areas of an artwork quickly. Although this items can cover areas of an artwork quickly. Although this strategy should be used with care, selecting only materials strategy should be used with care, selecting only materials which support or enhance your project (usually with which support or enhance your project (usually with reference to a relevant artist model) this can be a great reference to a relevant artist model) this can be a great way to speed up your project and introduce creative use of way to speed up your project and introduce creative use of mixed media.mixed media.

Paint things in the right order - Paint things in the right order - background areas firstbackground areas first

In almost all cases, the background should be In almost all cases, the background should be completed first, followed by the middle-ground, completed first, followed by the middle-ground, ending with the foreground. This is easily understood ending with the foreground. This is easily understood when considering a tree in front of a cloudy sky. If when considering a tree in front of a cloudy sky. If you make the mistake of painting the tree first, the you make the mistake of painting the tree first, the sky has to be meticulously painted around every leaf sky has to be meticulously painted around every leaf and branch: an irritating task that takes hours (and and branch: an irritating task that takes hours (and ends up looking a little shabby). Painting the sky ends up looking a little shabby). Painting the sky first, however, means that a large brush can quickly first, however, means that a large brush can quickly be used to paint the sky, with the tree then easily be used to paint the sky, with the tree then easily added over the top. Painting in the correct order also added over the top. Painting in the correct order also results in a painting that has layers (which gives it a results in a painting that has layers (which gives it a richness and lustre, as with using a ground). richness and lustre, as with using a ground).

USE masking tape to create USE masking tape to create straight edgesstraight edges

Some students are concerned that it might Some students are concerned that it might be necessary to ‘prove’ that a straight line be necessary to ‘prove’ that a straight line can be painted by hand. This is not the can be painted by hand. This is not the case. Your control of a paint brush can be case. Your control of a paint brush can be ascertained immediately by looking at the ascertained immediately by looking at the remainder of your painting. Masking tape remainder of your painting. Masking tape creates straight edges in seconds. Once creates straight edges in seconds. Once mastered, this trick can save you hours – mastered, this trick can save you hours – and make your paintings sharper, cleaner and make your paintings sharper, cleaner and more professional in the process. If and more professional in the process. If you haven’t used masking tape before, you haven’t used masking tape before, buy some now!buy some now!

OMIT PARTS OF A SCENE OMIT PARTS OF A SCENE

Deliberately picking out Deliberately picking out certain parts of a scene to certain parts of a scene to draw has a strong impact draw has a strong impact on the final work and must on the final work and must be used with care to be used with care to ensure that the resulting ensure that the resulting image supports the ideas image supports the ideas explored in your project. explored in your project. As with the previous As with the previous option, this allows you to option, this allows you to demonstrate strong demonstrate strong observational drawing observational drawing skills, while saving time by skills, while saving time by omitting part of the scene. omitting part of the scene.

Include photographs Include photographs

Use a bigger brush Use a bigger brush There is something surprisingly liberating about painting with a There is something surprisingly liberating about painting with a

bigger brush – especially if you have previously worked at a bigger brush – especially if you have previously worked at a microscopic scale, picking out detail the size of a pin prick. You will microscopic scale, picking out detail the size of a pin prick. You will soon discover that it is just as easy to achieve clean edges with a soon discover that it is just as easy to achieve clean edges with a larger brush and that an unexpected level of detail can be larger brush and that an unexpected level of detail can be achieved. Most enjoy picking up a larger brush – even if this just achieved. Most enjoy picking up a larger brush – even if this just becomes a way for creating grounds and applying background becomes a way for creating grounds and applying background layers layers

Be more gestural Be more gestural Instead of artwork Instead of artwork

being a laborious being a laborious process that grinds process that grinds away for days, images away for days, images can be created quickly, can be created quickly, using rich, expressive using rich, expressive mark-making. Those mark-making. Those who have only who have only produced realist, tightly produced realist, tightly controlled drawings controlled drawings usually take some time usually take some time to adapt to this to adapt to this approach and not all approach and not all students find it easy; students find it easy; selection of the right selection of the right drawing tools and drawing tools and mediums can help. mediums can help. Charcoal, chunky 5mm Charcoal, chunky 5mm wide graphite leads, wide graphite leads, Indian ink, big brushes Indian ink, big brushes and paint applied with and paint applied with pieces of card all lend pieces of card all lend themselves to gestural themselves to gestural mark-making mark-making