Materials you need
Acrylic paint is a great medium for beginners because it is relatively inexpensive, water-soluble, quick-drying, versatile, and forgiving.If you are not happy with an area you’ve painted, you can let it dry and paint right over it in a matter of minutes. It dries quickly, but it can take years to become completely solid and even then it will be flexible and won’t crack.
Unlike watercolor, you can do more than one layer on top of another without having to wait for the first layer to dry completely.If you want to add a bit of shine to your painting, you can use a gloss medium instead of water when mixing your paint.You don’t need many supplies to get started painting with acrylics. Here’s what you’ll need:
Pleasant Plastic is a leading Acrylic Fabricators in UAE. The company has been in business for over 20 years and has been providing high-quality acrylic paints, brushes, and other supplies for artists and hobbyists alike.
Paints
Acrylic paint comes in a wide range of colors, from bright primary colors to deep dark shades. You can buy them one at a time or in sets that are great for beginners. Many manufacturers make student-grade paints that cost less than professional paints without sacrificing quality.
Brushes
The best brushes for acrylic painting are synthetic because they are durable and easy to clean. They come in different shapes and sizes depending on the type of strokes you want to make
Step 1: Prepare the canvas
Prepare your workspace. Spread out a drop cloth or newspaper to protect your work surface. Set up a table with good lighting and enough room for all of your supplies. Remember that acrylics dry quickly, so you may need to work in smaller areas than you would with oils.
If you are going to paint on a stretched canvas, you can either stretch it yourself or buy a pre-stretched canvas from an art supply store. If you want to stretch your own canvas, you will need a basic stretcher frame and canvas; staple gun; pliers; and scissors. You can find directions on how to stretch your own canvas online.
Tape down any loose edges of the canvas before laying down the gesso primer. You should also wipe down the canvas with a damp cloth before painting to remove any dust or debris that may interfere with the paint’s adhesion.
Step 2: Acrylic Paints
The most important thing to know about acrylic paints is that they dry very quickly. You need to work fast, but can still easily correct mistakes. Once they’re dry you can’t re-wet them, so mix just enough paint for each step of your painting (keep it in a separate container) and don’t leave any paint sitting out.
Another important thing to know about acrylic paints is that they are water-based and non-toxic, which means there are no fumes and you don’t need any special ventilation when using them (although it’s always nice to have a window open).
The main drawback of acrylics is that if you want to blend colors smoothly you’ll have a hard time doing so because the paint dries so quickly. But this can be remedied by using a retarder medium, which makes the paint more workable but still dries fast enough that your painting doesn’t get ruined while you’re working on it.
Step 3: Brushes
Paint. Acrylic paints are best for beginners because they are water-soluble and easy to clean up. They can be used on a wide range of surfaces, including canvas, paper, wood, and even plastic and glass. As you experiment with your painting style, you may find yourself experimenting with different types of acrylic paints as well.
Brushes. You’ll need a variety of brushes to get started painting. You can use smaller brushes for detail work and larger brushes to cover large areas more quickly. If you’re not sure what kind of brush to get, a synthetic round tip brush is a good place to start. Synthetic bristles are easier to clean than natural ones, and round tips give you more control over the shape of your paint strokes.
Paint thinner or water. You’ll need something to thin out your paint if it gets too thick or dried out. Water will work fine for this purpose, but many people like using paint thinner because it helps prevent paint from drying in their brushes as quickly.
Step 4: Mixing your colours
There are a few rules to bear in mind when mixing your colours. The general rule is to start with the lightest colour and gradually add the darker colours to it. White is always your lightest colour so, if you are mixing a flesh tone, mix a small pool of white first and, using pure blue and yellow paint directly from their respective tubes (or a combination of magenta, cyan and yellow), add the colour until you achieve the desired shade.
If you want to achieve something warmer, add more yellow. If you want to achieve something cooler in tone, use more blue. For flesh tones, use more red (magenta) as well as yellow for these warmer tones. Remember to keep some of your original mixture for reference purposes if you need it later on.
Bear in mind that reds and yellows are transparent colours whereas blues are opaque so take this into account when adding the colours together. It’s also important not to use too much paint on your palette as this will dry out quickly and make it difficult for you to blend on the canvas or paper.
Step 5: Painting the background
Painting the background is an important step as it will help with creating a strong composition and setting the tone for your painting. You can paint the background any color you like, but it’s best to choose colors that complement your subject. For example, if you’re painting a vase of flowers, you might want to use a pale blue or yellow background so the flowers can pop. If you’re painting a landscape, choose colors that reflect the mood you wish to convey.
When you’re ready to begin, dip your flat brush into some water and then into the paint. Apply paint in even strokes across your canvas to create an even base layer of color. Allow the first layer to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Acrylics are my favorite paint to work with. They are vibrant and dry quickly, making them a great medium for beginners and experienced artists alike. Their versatility allows you to be as detailed or as loose as you like.
Step 6: Painting the main subject
Acrylic paint is a great medium for beginners because it is relatively inexpensive, water-soluble, quick-drying, versatile, and forgiving. If you are not happy with an area you’ve painted, you can let it dry and paint right over it in a matter of minutes. Once you get comfortable mixing the paints, layering brush strokes, and building up texture, you’ll find that acrylic painting is very rewarding.
Before painting on canvas or paper (or any material), be sure to prime your surface first. This seals the surface and prevents the paints from soaking into the fibers. We use white gesso primer as a sealant before painting on raw canvas or paper. It creates an opaque surface to work on. If you like to draw before painting or prefer to start with a sketch in mind, we recommend using graphite transfer paper. This allows you to transfer your sketch onto canvas by tracing over your pencil lines with a ballpoint pen.
Step 7: Finishing touches and framing
The first thing you need to do is get the right kind of varnish. You can use gloss, satin, or matte finish depending on the desired look and feel of your painting. Whatever you choose, make sure to buy a good quality varnish as you don’t want it to yellow over time. I like Liquitex Varnishes for their archival quality & non-yellowing properties.
Once your painting has thoroughly dried, remove any dust on the surface with a soft brush or cloth. You can also use a hair dryer on low heat to gently blow the dust off your canvas without having to touch it (be careful not to melt any foam board or other materials though!). Check that your painting is completely dry by touching it lightly in an unobtrusive area with a piece of tape; if no paint sticks to the tape, you’re ready to varnish.
Also read: Everything you need to know about professional home clean services
