Painting Tips For Beginners

Working with Acrylics[/b]

One of the great things about acrylics is their versatility. It is an excellent and innovative medium, although largely unrecognised. Fast drying, acrylics can also be used directly from the tube or like watercolours by using a medium or water to thin them out - and, depending upon the artist's preference, any consistency in between.

Beginners Tips:[/b]

Wipe your brush frequently. Pop a cloth or some paper towel close to your water pot to blot your brush each time you rinse it. This will stop any drops of water from creating blotches on your work.

When glazing your work, build this up with thin layers to create a transparent effect and enable the colour below to show through. The paint can be distributed evenly over the surface using a brush.

Keep the paint moist and workable. Acrylics dry very quickly. Therefore, you will only need to dispense a small amount of paint onto your palette at a time. It is possible to purchase stay wet palettes, such as those available from http://www.jacksonsart.com/. Alternatively, keep a small spray pump bottle filled with water nearby and moisten the paint at regular intervals.

Due to the speed at which they dry, it is necessary to work fast when using acrylics. If you are blending colours, ensuring the paper is slightly damp will increase the time you have to work.

When increasing the colour flow, instead of just water, use a medium designed to improve the flow, while retaining as much colour strength as possible.

Choose how you are going to use your paints. Used directly from the tube, all acrylic colours will be opaque. Add water and they will gradually become transparent and can be used in a similar way to watercolours.

Applied quite thickly, acrylic paints can be used in the same way as glue when making a collage.

It is possible to use frisket or masking fluid with acrylic washes, as you might with watercolours. Once dried completely, it can be painted over. Remember not to paint too thickly as you will end up having to remove some of the paint in order to reach the masking fluid. As with many art supplies, most people like to experiment with masking fluid before they actually use it in their work. However, it will work on both canvas and paper. It is important to remember that masking fluid must be removed from brushes immediately as it cannot easily be washed out once dried. To make it easier to wash out you can first soak the brush in washing up liquid for a short while.

If you wish to create sharp lines, masking tape can be used without damaging any existing layers of your painting. Ensure the tape edges are firmly stuck to the surface, and that you do not load too much paint near the edges. You will be rewarded with a clean, hard edge when you remove the tape.

Unlike when using a watercolour wash, once dry, an acrylic wash is permanent. It will become insoluble, which will allow you to paint over it without interfering with the previous wash.

 

[Swaswati Borpuzari]

Painting can be a deeply rewarding and enjoyable hobby, but for beginners, it can also feel a bit daunting. To help you get started on the right foot, here are some essential painting tips that can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. First and foremost, it's important to gather the right materials. Start with a basic set of brushes, paints, and a canvas or paper that suits your preferred medium, whether it's oil, acrylic, or watercolor. Quality materials can make a significant difference in your results, so it's worth investing in good supplies, even as a beginner.

Another crucial tip is to practice color mixing. Understanding how to mix colors to achieve the desired shades and tones is a fundamental skill in painting. Start by experimenting with primary colors and gradually build up your palette. You can also use color charts and swatches to help guide your mixing. Don't be afraid to make mistakes; they are an essential part of the learning process and can often lead to unexpected and beautiful results.

Composition is another key aspect of painting. Before you start painting, take some time to plan your composition. Consider the placement of elements within your painting, the balance of light and dark areas, and the overall flow of the piece. Sketching out your composition first can help you visualize the final result and make adjustments before you commit to paint. This can save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run.

Lastly, don't rush the process. Painting is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. Take your time to enjoy each brushstroke and the evolution of your work. Set realistic goals for yourself and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Remember, every artist was once a beginner, and with practice and patience, you will develop your skills and find your unique style. Embrace the creative process and have fun exploring the world of painting!

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

Acrylic paints are celebrated for their incredible versatility and innovative qualities, despite being sometimes overlooked. Their fast-drying nature allows for diverse application methods: they can be used straight from the tube for opaque results, or thinned with water or a medium to achieve watercolor-like transparency, or any consistency in between.

Here are some tips for beginners working with acrylics:

• Brush Care: Always keep a cloth or paper towel near your water pot to blot your brush after rinsing. This prevents excess water from creating unwanted blotches on your artwork.
• Glazing: When applying glazes, build up thin layers. This technique creates a transparent effect, allowing the underlying colors to show through beautifully. Distribute the paint evenly with your brush.
• Keeping Paint Moist: Acrylics dry very quickly. Dispense only small amounts of paint onto your palette at a time. Consider using a "stay-wet palette" (available from art suppliers like Jacksonsart.com) or keep a small spray bottle filled with water handy to mist your paints periodically and maintain workability.
• Working Speed: Due to their fast drying time, it's essential to work quickly when blending colors with acrylics. Slightly dampening your paper can extend the blending time.
• Enhancing Flow: To increase paint flow while preserving color strength, use a specialized flow-improving medium instead of just water.
• Varying Opacity: Understand that acrylics used directly from the tube will be opaque. Adding water will gradually make them more transparent, allowing for watercolor-like effects.
• Collage Application: When applied thickly, acrylic paints can function as an adhesive, making them suitable for collage work.
• Masking Fluid/Frisket: You can use frisket or masking fluid with acrylic washes, similar to watercolor techniques. Apply the fluid, let it dry completely, paint over it, and then carefully remove the masking fluid once the paint is dry. Remember not to apply paint too thickly over masking fluid, as this makes removal difficult. Always clean masking fluid from brushes immediately, perhaps after soaking the brush in washing-up liquid, as it's hard to remove once dry. Masking fluid works on both canvas and paper.
• Masking Tape for Sharp Lines: To create crisp, sharp lines, use masking tape. Ensure the tape edges are firmly adhered to the surface and avoid loading too much paint near the edges. When removed, the tape will reveal a clean, hard edge.
• Permanence: Unlike watercolor washes, a dry acrylic wash is permanent and insoluble. This allows you to layer additional paint over it without disturbing the underlying wash.