5 Quick Tips for Painting in Acrylic

 

    If you're trying out Acrylic paint for the first time and were wondering where to begin, you've come to the right place! Acrylic is my favorite medium!

    Here are some quick tips for painting in Acrylic:

    As an avid gatherer of art supplies, I can tell you that there are so many options to choose from when deciding how you'd like to paint with Acrylic. From the canvas you work on to the paint you choose and even what brushes you use, trying to decide what works best for you can be a bit overwhelming. 

    Here is my take:

    YOU DO NOT NEED SUPER EXPENSIVE ART SUPPLIES TO MAKE GREAT ART! 

    This is debated a ton in the art community, but I'm here to tell you that you CAN make great art with cheap supplies. 

    I  believe that as long as you have the drive and the patience to learn the materials, then there's nothing to stop you from creating something worthwhile. 

    For the beginner, I recommend these paints:

I recommend these brushes,

    

and either of these two canvas brands, which have high ratings on Amazon:

 

 

   You can use Gesso or a clear acrylic medium to prime a canvas. Gesso can be used for either a smooth or textured surface, depending on the application. I've also used Mod-podge to prime my canvas as well. See why you should prime your canvas here. 

    Acrylic is a fast-drying medium, so working in layers isn't as tedious and time-consuming as it sounds. According to what I was taught in school, you always want to work dark to light and background before foreground as it helps to organize a painting and makes for an easier creating process. Check out this article by Nancy Reyner for a more detailed, in-depth breakdown of layering and its benefits! 

 

    A consequence of experimenting is growth. It's important to play around with a medium to get a feel for it and develop your style. Mix with gesso for an impasto technique, water it down to use like watercolors, there are a ton of possibilities with Acrylic. 

    

    Whenever you finish a painting, you can use a number of varnishes to seal it. You can use Mod-podge, a glossy or matte acrylic seal, or even a spray-on coat of varnish. I recommend the brand shown below, but you can also use the brand pictured next to it if you want to stay on the cost-effective side. See my video comparison/review here.

[Click ANY of the product photos in this article to BUY😊] 

  

    I hope you enjoyed this quick tip list, but remember, there are no shortcuts to gaining skills: Practice, Practice, Practice!