Acrylic Painting is a very fun and beginner-friendly medium to start with, and once you get the hang of acrylics you will be hooked! Now that you have decided to go with acrylics you can practice some basic techniques and get used to the medium. By combining these simple techniques you can create beautiful paintings with your skill and imagination. Also, acrylics are a beautiful medium to experiment with and you will be amazed to see the results every time you use a different method. We have used Winsor and Newton Galeria Acrylics which are our absolute favourite because of their amazing pigment strength and smooth satin finish.

So, here are some techniques to get started with acrylics:

 

1. Blending/ Colour gradient:

   
   
   

   
   
   
   This technique is used to create a seamless transition between two or more colours. You can start applying the first colour from the top painting halfway down and painting another colour right below the first layer and complete painting the other half. Then before both the layers dry out use a dry brush to blend the line between the two colours in the same direction. And if three or more colours are involved then repeat the same process.
   
   

2. Dry brush:

   
   
   

   
   
   
   The dry brush technique is using a dry brush directly with the acrylic paint to create prominent strokes of colour giving a rough but aesthetic texture effect. The strokes can be uneven and you can experiment with the types of the canvas if the canvas has a rough grain the effect will be more visible than with the canvas having smoother finish.
   
   

3. Washing:

   
   
   

   
   
   
   Acrylics can be diluted with water to get a thin layer and convert it into semi-opaque or semi-transparent paint depending upon the original opaqueness of the colour.
   
   

4. Palette Knife:

   
   
   

   
   
   
   Palette Knife is a tool that consists of a steel blade and a wooden handle. It can be used for mixing colours or applying or removing paint. Using a palette knife will give you the freedom to create strokes that are bulky, thin, and everything in between.
   
   

5. Impasto:

   
   
   
   
   
   Impasto is a technique in which you layer thick paint creating patterns with the palette knife. Impasto technique gives a different dimension to the painting with beautiful textures and intentional palette knife marks.
   
   

6. Dry sponge:

   
   
   

   
   
   
   The dry sponge technique is using a dry sponge with acrylic paint to create the effect shown below. You can dab the sponge on the painting surface to get the desired results.
   
   

7. Layering:

   
   
   

   
   
   
   Layering is a technique where we paint on a previously dried layer which gives more depth to the painting. You can experiment by painting as many layers as you want until you are satisfied.
   
   

8. Detailing:

   
   
   

   
   
   
   If you are into Realism or if you are very particular about the details in your painting you can use a fine brush in smaller sizes to paint the details without disturbing other aspects of your painting.
   
   

9. Splattering:

   
   
   
   
   
   The splattering technique is holding a wet brush loaded with a decent amount of paint and tapping it using the support of the other hand to create a controlled splattered effect! You can use this technique to create galaxies or to give an abstract effect to your still life. The splattering technique can be used in endless ways to make the painting look more lively and dreamy.
   
   

While basics are the most important to learn anything new you can always try and experiment to know your own style. Acrylics can be used in unlimited possible ways to create texture, pattern, abstract, realism, mixed media and more. If you have some time to spare and paints and brushes lying around, you can always try something new with acrylics!

Pictures from pinterest Google