A Beginner’s Guide to Acrylic Painting: Awaken Your Inner Artist
Painting has originated a long time ago and it is still one of the most appreciated forms of art. We began by using caves as our canvases, and the earth’s natural resources as our main origin of pigments. Now, we have immensely advanced and have developed all sorts of art material that can be used to create outstanding compositions. In the present day, we hang paintings as welcoming art in our homes, offices and even museums. However, they mean much more to us than just regular decorative items. Painting can be a great way of expressing our deepest feelings and making our creativity rise up to the surface.
If you yourself are considering giving it a go, you should be aware that there are many different forms of painting. You can try out oil, watercolour or graphite, but it’s undeniable that acrylic painting is one of the most fun techniques for beginners that can really result in gorgeous artwork. Read right below to find out everything you need to know about acrylics.
Contents
Acrylic Painting Essentials and Tips on Getting Started
In order to begin your acrylic art journey, a mandatory first step is getting the essential art material to make breathtaking creations. So, let’s dive into the question – What can I use for acrylic painting?
The Foundation
For starters, let’s begin with the painting surface. The most basic one would be the irreplaceable canvas. You can go for a linen or for a cotton based one if you want to end up with great results. Cotton canvases tend to be the more affordable option. They are rather absorbent and come with a rough texture. On the other hand, we have linen canvases that are way more flexible with a surface that is less absorbent and characterized with a fine texture. They are a bit pricey, but they make an excellent choice, and they are mainly the top pick for professional painters.
Another kind of suitable surface would be acrylic paper. It is not expensive, the texture is amazing and specifically made for acrylic paints. Not to mention, they are very convenient because they are easily stored, portable and will not take up a lot of space.
A Colourful Palette
Next up, we have the acrylic paint. As a beginner, it’s important not to get overexcited and end up buying a large, expensive set of acrylics you won’t even use in the end. This is why it is recommended that you only get the shades of colours you plan on using, and then opt for expanding your palette. This can vary from person to person, so it’s entirely up to you to decide what your painting style will be like. Would you like your paintings to be more bright-coloured and uplifting, or would you like to go for something a bit darker and with a deeper meaning? Remember, it’s all a process of finding yourself.
Colours are not the only thing you should take into consideration. You should also consider the paint’s viscosity. You can pick from soft body acrylic paints, which are of very low viscosity. Their consistency is much like a type of heavy cream, however, this doesn’t mean that the colours won’t be vibrant and glowing. In fact, they are the perfect choice if you want to paint in great detail, and they are very easily blended with other colours.
Opposite from this type is the hard body acrylics. Their texture is much thicker and will do a great job at retaining brush strokes. You can also go for acrylic inks which have a more fluid-like consistency. They are very easy to work with and will leave you with creative, watercolour-like creations.
Brush Browsing
Other must-have art supplies are paintbrushes. Here’s a quick list to help you put them into perspective:
Synthetic vs Natural
Natural fibres can be a good choice if you prefer to work with heavy body colours. Synthetic ones on the other hand will do great with softer, watery-like paints. Synthetic bristles are also very resilient and tend to last longer.
Long vs Short Handle
For people who like to paint from a greater distance and have a bold, expressive technique, long-handled brushes are the best choice. Short ones are usually best for detailed painting or for work of a smaller scale. They allow the artist to have better precision.
The Different Kinds of Brush Shapes
The most basic and standard kind is definitely the round brush which is used for areas that need greater coverage. Short and long flat brushes are ideal for fast painting or for creating geometric shapes, and it is all because of their squared edge. The so-called Filbert brushes are slightly rounded and a bit flat, making the perfect choice for blending. Lastly, a worthy mention is the rigger brush which has very long bristles. It is meant for painting straight, continuous lines.
Additional Supplies
Besides getting the main supplies for painting, you can also opt for other items that will enhance your overall artsy experience.
First up, you can get an easel on which you can place your canvas. It will allow you to see the frame from a better perspective, paint easier and it can even serve as a display tool.
Another item you can get is an apron. Yes, they are not just meant for cooking in the kitchen. An apron will protect your clothes from getting destroyed by acrylic paints. Next up we have a water container, which you can use to clean your brushes during the painting process or use them to thin out your paint. Palette knives can also come in handy. They are the ideal tool that you can use to directly apply thick paint onto the canvas, or you can use them for cleaning the pallet and mixing shades.
To Sum Up
Overall, acrylic painting is a very fun and beneficial hobby. It can help you learn more about yourself and allow you to express your inner thoughts with the use of different colours and brushes. It also aids in stress relief, it expands your creativity and bolsters the memory. So, visit a local or online art supply store today and get the essential acrylic art materials that will put you on the path of awakening your inner artist.
