Painting with Acrylics in Seven Steps

           Acrylics seem to be more and more popular, and they can yield beautiful results. Acrylic paints are less expensive than oils and easier to clean up, requiring only soap and water. They dry quickly, which can be a positive or a negative, depending on the artist’s personality.

For beginners or pros, acrylics are a great option. The following list will walk you through painting with acrylics, step by step. You may want to refer to my article “Mixing Colors for Acrylics” if you are a beginner.

1. Sketch your subject.

Keep it simple if you’re a beginner by choosing a small canvas and one object as a center of attention. Don’t put the object in the middle of the canvas. An off-center composition is much more interesting. Fill the space, and you may want to let the object go off the edges of the canvas. This can be more interesting as well. You can sketch lightly with a pencil, or if you’re more experienced, you may want to sketch with a small brush.

2. Paint the background.

Fill in the area behind the drawing with the background color quickly, painting over the edges of the drawing. Limit your colors to a few to avoid muddy colors. You will paint the foreground over theses edges later, so don’t stress about getting it perfect and staying within the lines. You can add details and clean it up later. As a general rule, the foreground should be more detailed and in focus than the background, so just enjoy the flow at this point.

3. Paint the next largest area that is behind the details.

For example, paint the main color of the flower petals before adding spots, shadows, or stamen. You may want to add a stem or two first if they are behind the flower petals.

4. Begin to add details.

At this point, think about the area of the painting that should be the center of interest. You want to have the most detail and contrast there.

5. Choose your sharp edges and your soft edges.

Sharp edges will draw attention and come forward while soft edges will recede into the background. You may want most of the background to be soft and out of focus.

6. Add the final touches without overworking it.

Look for the areas that need a little more detail or definition or correction, but don’t over do it! If an area works like it is, let it be. Fresh, loose, and free is a good thing. Avoid the temptation to smooth out every brushstroke. Texture is part of the beauty of painting and what distinguishes it from photography. Too much texture in the background can be confusing, but it is also a matter of taste. Enjoy, and stop when you are pleased with it!

7. Clean up with dishwashing liquid and water.

Wipe the excess paint off of your brushes with a paper towel, rinse your brushes with water, and then clean them with a little dishwashing liquid or a brush cleaner. Always shape the bristles of your brush back into their original shape—flat, round, or pointed— before storing the brush flat or bristles up in a jar. If you have a reusable palette, scrape it and clean it immediately before the paint dries permanently.

Now you’re all set! You can learn more about mixing colors at this link on my blog.