{"id":68,"date":"2019-02-14T07:07:40","date_gmt":"2019-02-14T07:07:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myartroom.anishiv.com\/uncategorized\/balinese-massage\/"},"modified":"2025-07-03T21:07:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T21:07:53","slug":"tips-n-tricks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myartroom.anishiv.com\/?p=68","title":{"rendered":"21 Acrylic Painting Tips for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"68\" class=\"elementor elementor-68\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aux-parallax-section elementor-element elementor-element-4ae33e86 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4ae33e86\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e97a7b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5e97a7b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<p>If you\u2019re a newbie to acrylic painting, we\u2019ve got some tips that will help you shorten the learning curve. Our artists have pooled their collective experience to share some of their tried-and-true tricks for better acrylic painting. They were once beginners, too, so they understand the struggle when starting out. In this article, you\u2019ll find suggestions,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/arteza.com\/blog?category=technique\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">techniques<\/a>, and explanations that are guaranteed to make you more comfortable at the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/arteza.com\/b\/easels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">easel<\/a>\u00a0and have you painting acrylic masterpieces in no time!<\/p>\n<h2>Get Started Using Acrylics<\/h2>\n<p>To get you started, we\u2019ve listed some tips that have been used in a video of an Arteza artist creating a stunning landscape. You can see these tips in action by watching the video and paint along to make your own landscape painting.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div><iframe class=\"post-iframe\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PzMZ-hzCSf4\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Find a reference.<\/strong>\u00a0The internet is full of images that you can use as a reference for cool things to paint. Using photo references is also a great way to practice painting landscapes and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/arteza.com\/blog\/a-beginners-guide-to-urban-sketching\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">urban scenes<\/a>\u00a0before venturing out to paint in public. Since the reference doesn\u2019t move, you can hone your painting skills easily.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use synthetic brushes.<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/arteza.com\/b\/acrylic-paint\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Acrylic paint<\/a>\u00a0is a medium-bodied paint that will adhere much better on synthetic, bristle brushes than on softer\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/arteza.com\/collections\/brushes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">brushes<\/a>. They are easy to find, as brushes made especially for acrylic painting are clearly labeled.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use wide strokes.<\/strong>\u00a0You\u2019ll cover more areas and be able to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/arteza.com\/blog\/texture-painting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">create more textures<\/a>\u00a0by using wide strokes as opposed to thin ones. For example, you can use wider strokes for painting a background, to fill in the sky, for water, and to add mountains. Save the thinner strokes for small areas and for placing details.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paint densely.<\/strong>\u00a0Don\u2019t skimp on the paint. It\u2019s okay to use large amounts of it and apply it thickly. You may think using less paint or thinned paint will\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/arteza.com\/b\/weekly-deals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">save you money<\/a>\u00a0in the long run, but all it does is weaken the piece you\u2019re working on and forces you to create more layers, which can muddy the paint. \u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Work with a palette knife to add some texture.<\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s fun to switch things up by using a palette knife instead of a brush.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/arteza.com\/collections\/palette-knives\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Palette knives<\/a>\u00a0can add different textures to your artwork by either scraping paint away or adding thick layers. \u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use a thin brush with long bristles for small details.<\/strong>\u00a0The best brush to use\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/arteza.com\/dp\/detail-paint-brush-set-of-15\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">for the smallest details<\/a>\u00a0in your painting is a long, thin-bristle brush, also known as a liner brush. Using a thin brush enables you to emphasize the edges of things. You can also add details with a small flat brush.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Work relatively fast.<\/strong>\u00a0Acrylic paint is known for its fast drying time, so it\u2019s important to develop a quick painting habit. Once acrylic paint is dry, it\u2019s impossible to reactivate. There are extenders you can purchase that will add moisture to the paint and help extend the drying time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use warm and cold shades to add contrasts.<\/strong>\u00a0Contrast is the best way to make your paintings visually interesting and to add a realistic look. You can do this by using warm colors (reds, yellows, oranges) next to cool shades (blues, purples, greens).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Make your painting bright and lively.<\/strong>\u00a0Don\u2019t be afraid to use bright colors. It\u2019s amazing how dynamic a painting becomes when highlights in white and areas of bold or unexpected color are added. \u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use different techniques.<\/strong>\u00a0Acrylic is a versatile paint that adapts well to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/arteza.com\/blog\/36-acrylic-painting-techniques\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">different techniques<\/a>. You can even paint with your finger to blend and mix the colors smoothly. Experiment and play with the paint\u2014mix new shades, use non-traditional tools, use unpredictable surfaces. These are the things that will make your painting look more diverse and help you develop your unique style.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paint over mistakes when the piece is dry.<\/strong>\u00a0If you\u2019ve made a mistake, no worries. You won\u2019t have to wait long for the paint to dry to easily paint over any stray marks or unwanted colors.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"divider\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<h2>More Acrylic Painting Tips for You!<\/h2>\n<p>Here are some more tips we think will be helpful for you to use in your landscape painting or in your future artworks.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/arteza.com\/b\/acrylic-paint\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.arteza.com\/blogArticle\/20\/10\/WYhvaqNM-_SUSJ-T.jpg\" alt=\"Arteza Acrylic Paints\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>12.\u00a0<strong>Keep a variety of brushes on hand.<\/strong>\u00a0You never know which\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/arteza.com\/b\/artist-brushes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">brush<\/a>\u00a0you\u2019ll be using next, so it\u2019s advisable to have brushes in multiple sizes nearby. You can start out with the basics\u2014small, medium, large\u2014and add more sizes and shapes later on, ranging from small to large.<\/p>\n<p>13.\u00a0<strong>Take care of your brushes.<\/strong>\u00a0Brushes are an important investment in your painting practice. If you want them to last, you\u2019ll need to make sure you clean them well after each use to keep them from becoming dry, rigid, and useless. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>14.\u00a0<strong>Use a mist of water to extend drying time.<\/strong>\u00a0An easy way to avoid having your paint dry too quickly is to mist the paint after you\u2019ve applied it to the palette. Plastic spray bottles work great for this and can be purchased inexpensively.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>15.\u00a0<strong>Use thinned paint for undercoatings.<\/strong>\u00a0The beauty of acrylic paint is that it can be thinned with water to resemble\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/arteza.com\/b\/watercolor-paint\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">watercolor paint<\/a>. By doing this, you can quickly add an undercoat of paint to your surface. This is called \u201ctoning\u201d the canvas. Underpaintings can enhance your painting as well as act as a way to get you started without the fear of facing a blank or white canvas.<\/p>\n<p>16.\u00a0<strong>What is gesso and why does it make a difference?<\/strong>\u00a0Acrylic artists commonly use\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/arteza.com\/b\/painting-canvas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">canvas<\/a>\u00a0coated in gesso. A white paint mixture,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gesso\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">gesso<\/a>, prevents the paint from absorbing into the canvas and stiffens the fabric to allow the paint to lay on the surface. It also adds a slight texture or \u201ctooth\u201d that holds the paint while allowing it to be pushed around as the artist works. Many artists will add an additional layer of gesso before painting to add more texture to their work. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>17.\u00a0<strong>Use your palette for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/arteza.com\/blog\/color-mixing-for-beginners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">color mixing<\/a>.<\/strong>\u00a0To avoid muddying your colors on the canvas or placing a shade you don\u2019t want, always mix your colors on a palette. A palette is also a place for experimenting with color combinations.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>18.\u00a0<strong>Some acrylics darken as they dry.<\/strong>\u00a0You might be surprised to find that the bright color on your palette dried somewhat darker. A good idea is to create swatches of your colors to see which ones dry darker. Just paint a small square of paint on a scrap canvas or piece of paper and wait for it to dry. This will help you anticipate how the color will actually look and you can mix accordingly.<\/p>\n<p>19.\u00a0<strong>Step away from your painting periodically.<\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s easy to lose\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/arteza.com\/blog\/learn-how-to-draw-perspective\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">perspective<\/a>\u00a0of what you\u2019re painting. That\u2019s why you should step back and take a look at the overall work often. By taking just a few steps back, you\u2019ll immediately see how the colors are working together if angles need adjusting, or your objects are in scale.<\/p>\n<p>20.\u00a0<strong>Practice blending.<\/strong>\u00a0The quick-drying nature of acrylics can make blending a challenge. But, by practicing blending your colors together, you\u2019ll get the hang of it.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>21.\u00a0<strong>Have two water jars handy.<\/strong>\u00a0To keep the paint you apply to the canvas as pure as possible, keep two jars of water nearby. Use one just for cleaning your brushes and one to dip your brush in when thinning the paint. This is a good way to recycle household jars and save on the cost of purchasing special brush-cleaning basins.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re a newbie to acrylic painting, we\u2019ve got some tips that will help you shorten the learning curve. Our artists have pooled their collective experience to share some of their tried-and-true tricks for better acrylic painting. They were once beginners, too, so they understand the struggle when starting out. In this article, you\u2019ll find [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":224,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-68","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-creative-mindset"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myartroom.anishiv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myartroom.anishiv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myartroom.anishiv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myartroom.anishiv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myartroom.anishiv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=68"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/myartroom.anishiv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":222,"href":"https:\/\/myartroom.anishiv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68\/revisions\/222"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myartroom.anishiv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/224"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myartroom.anishiv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=68"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myartroom.anishiv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=68"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myartroom.anishiv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=68"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}