Acrylic painting
Acrylic is pigment in an acrylic polymer emulsion. It was developed in the 20th century, dries in minutes, cleans up with water and can imitate both watercolour (thin) and oil (thick).
Working with acrylic
Fast drying is the great advantage and the main difficulty. Use a stay-wet palette, mist the paint with water and work in small areas when you want to blend. Retarder medium slows drying.
Acrylic darkens slightly as it dries, so mix lights a touch lighter than you need. Because layers dry quickly you can glaze many thin layers in a single session, or block in an underpainting for oil (never acrylic over oil).
Try it
- Block in a still life with flat colour shapes.
- Glaze a transparent colour over a dry layer to change its temperature.
- Use a retarder to blend a sky gradient.
Watch
Acrylic Painting for Beginners: Techniques & Supplies · Art Prof: Your Art School
Acrylic Painting: 5 Things I Wish I Knew as a Beginner · Art Prof: Your Art School
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