Painting with acrylics. How to use acrylic paints for painting on different surfaces

acrylic about new material V the art world and much younger than butter, but can be a great alternative. Acrylic paint is a water-dispersed paint based on polyacrylates (mainly polymers of methyl, ethyl and butyl acrylates), as well as their copolymers as film formers. This means that you can paint with water, no thinners or oils are required.

Depending on the technique, acrylic can look like watercolor or oil. After drying, the paint turns into an elastic film, does not fade over time and can even be exhibited on the street, as it is resistant to external influences. After drying, acrylic darkens a little, this should be taken into account when drawing.

Acrylic is a wonderful thing, it almost does not smell, it is cheaper than oil and you can paint with it on almost any surface. A paper sketchbook is also suitable (it is better to take sheets denser, because the paper can go in waves), and canvas on cardboard, and cardboard. If painting on a wooden surface, it is better to prime it first. It is most convenient to draw with synthetics and bristles, because the paint is heavy and delicate brushes like squirrels or ponies quickly deteriorate, plus the brushes must be washed immediately after work, otherwise the paint will dry out and the brush will be hopelessly damaged. It is better to pour cool rather than warm water into a jar of water - it can cause acrylic to harden at the base of the brush bundle. After work, make sure that all tubes and cans of paint are tightly closed, otherwise the paint will dry.

If use more water- acrylic can be transparent, although it is inferior to watercolor, but you can still paint with glazing. After drying, acrylic glazes do not blur, so you can safely paint on top. I prefer to imitate oil, so I paint with bold strokes. In this case, you can not use water at all, but I still wash the brushes in the process, though I wring them out so as not to carry excess water onto the canvas. You can write with transparent strokes on top of a dense substrate. The coolest option is to paint on canvas on cardboard. It is convenient to insert such a picture into a frame, if necessary, it is light and looks more presentable, while the texture completely imitates the canvas, which adds an illusion oil painting, especially if you use a palette knife.

The beauty and at the same time the complexity of acrylic paints is that they dry quickly, so even on the palette the paints dry out. You can use a drying retarder, but I can’t say anything about it, I haven’t tried it.
I use a custom palette to slow down the drying a bit.

I take a porcelain or glass plate (it is more stable), cover it with paper towels and urinate the entire structure under the tap. The water should be decent, but it's worth squeezing the towels a little. On top of the towels I put a sheet of ordinary tracing paper, I have it slightly glossy, which is convenient, the brushes glide better. I lightly press the tracing paper so that it becomes damp, but not completely wet. Now you can squeeze the paint onto the tracing paper, there will be water under it and the paint in this case dries more slowly. Do not squeeze out a lot of paint at once. After work, you can close the palette with cling film and put it in the refrigerator, the paints can remain liquid for up to several days. This method actually saves paint. It is very convenient to use a small spray gun in the process of wetting the paints on the palette. Before painting, brushes can be soaked overnight in water, so they will absorb some water and will not absorb it during the work process.

I tried acrylic from different manufacturers, foreign brands are undoubtedly cool, from domestic ones I really like the Master Class and Ladoga series, I draw mainly with them. If you come across acrylic Gamma - do not waste your money, it is terrible and disgusting. Acrylic comes in jars and tubes, in decoys the paint is more liquid, in tubes it is thicker. I prefer tubes, they are more convenient, take up less space and the paint is more unlikely to dry inside the tube. Ideal acrylic is slightly watery and at the same time thick, the consistency should be something like mayonnaise. It should not have lumps and it should not be quite thick, as toothpaste. In this case, it is very difficult to make smooth smooth gradients and it is difficult to smear it on the surface at all. Gamma is just lumpy and too thick, and in each tube the paint will be different in consistency.

It is not necessary to buy 100,500 colors at once to try it out, acrylic mixes well and a set of 6-12 colors may be enough.
In my experience, I advise you to avoid ultramarine as a base of blue color, it is better to take something like blue FC or cobalt blue. It is also worth picking up neutral greens - medium green for example. White is the best titanium, they do not turn yellow over time. Here is an ideal set for beginners in my opinion, very budget-friendly and excellent quality.

There is also such a moment - if you are supposed to have a dark background, do not paint over the entire canvas. It is better to leave unpainted those areas that should be a different color. Acrylic is very difficult to overlap dark colors like black and dark blue. Otherwise, you will have to paint over objects with white and only after that write over desired color.

Acrylic goes well with other materials, such as markers, ink, colored pens, the same watercolor, pastel. The possibilities are almost endless, which is why mixed-media artists love acrylic so much.

Acrylic is almost never washed off clothes, so an apron can be very useful.

Finally, in the gallery there are a few additional pictures in different techniques All pictures in this post are taken from Pinterest.

Acrylic paints have become one of the most popular instruments in the work of many artists, due to the convenience of their use and the many variations of application to the canvas. The fact is that acrylic paints can be used directly from the tube, and can also be diluted with water, like watercolors. If you want to learn how to paint with acrylic, you should know a few basic rules for working with such a tool. Our article will help you get started with acrylic and understand how best to apply such paints to canvas and paper.

Fundamentals of acrylic painting on canvas, on paper

Acrylic painting for beginners requires familiarity with the working material. It should be remembered a number of features that will be required to create a high-quality and rich pattern,

namely:

1. The paint needs to be maintained in working order as it dries quickly.

   This rule is easy to follow when using a wet palette, where a waxed sheet is provided. However, some experienced craftsmen note the inconvenience of using such a palette - it does not have a hole for the thumb, which means that it is not always possible to keep it on weight. In this case, it is better to use a classic-shaped plastic palette. When working with such a tool, you can use a sprayer that will easily moisten upper layer paint when needed.

2. It is better to squeeze the paint out of the tube in small portions, immediately applying to the canvas. If this is not possible, use the rule described above.
3. The brush should be thoroughly wiped with a damp cloth or paper towel - this will avoid the appearance of blots and streaks on canvas or paper. The fact is that water will flow down the rim, and by wiping the brush, you will be able to avoid this.
4. To create translucent elements on canvas, it is best to carefully dilute the acrylic with water. The same rule applies when using an airbrush.
5. To obtain a saturated thick color - the paint should not be diluted, at most - add a little water to increase fluidity.
6. Remember, when applying an acrylic wash, you can cover it with subsequent layers without fear that it will smudge. For those who have already worked with watercolors, it is important to know this rule, because watercolor tends to be erased with a damp cloth - this is not natural for acrylic.
7. Acrylic should be blurred in a thin layer, evenly distributing it over the surface - this will allow you to achieve high-quality translucent and transparent tones that will allow you to observe all the layers applied below.
8. The use of specialized thinners will preserve the color depth of acrylic paint and achieve optimal fluidity.
9. Due to the rapid drying of acrylic, when mixing colors you need to be as fast as possible. If you are not sure that you can achieve the desired shade immediately, it is better to add water.
10. To create sharp edges in the drawing, you can use sticky masking tapes, but then you should not move the brush too fast. It is also important to make sure that the tape fits snugly everywhere - this will prevent leakage and allow you to achieve the most noticeable result.
11. In the process of working with acrylic paints, you can use a masking liquid.
12. Watercolor can be used as glue, when creating collages - it will perfectly fix paper details.

Creating watercolor and acrylic washes allows the use of masking liquids, however, it should be remembered that this material dries very quickly on a brush, which means that you need to work confidently and quickly. If you do not keep track and leave the liquid on the brush, it will simply be impossible to remove it! Make sure it dries well before applying a layer of paint on top of the liquid, as this will make it extremely difficult to remove the color. You can use masking liquids both on paper and on canvas, but it’s better to practice on a draft version in advance - this will allow you to get used to the composition and not make irreparable mistakes in future.

What else do you need to know as a beginner?

Drawing lessons may include a different number of classroom hours. When enrolling in courses, the future student chooses the preferred time and duration of training, which makes such training convenient and mobile. It is important to understand that after completing the lessons for beginners, people who decide to seriously engage in art can get advanced training by enrolling in more complex professional courses taught by teachers of the highest category.

Distance learning - pros and cons

For people who, for a number of reasons, cannot attend classroom classes, many specialized schools provide lessons distance learning- it is incredibly convenient and effective, because it does not require the student to be directly present in the classroom. All you need to start learning is to purchase a minimum set of materials and tools and sign up for courses. Choosing a convenient time, the student will be able to comprehend the basics of such visual arts in the usual space, not looking up from everyday affairs.

Another advantage of distance learning can be considered the ability to view lessons repeatedly, since they are constantly available - this allows you to quickly learn the material and consolidate it in practice. Experienced professionals provide a lot useful information and help the student improve weak sides and unlock your potential. The disadvantages of distance learning, many people attribute the inability to get tactile advice from the master - in the classroom, the teacher can help in the process of creating a stroke, but a high-quality visual demonstration from the screen can compensate for this nuance!

Whatever learning method you choose, the main thing is the desire to acquire this new skill and develop your abilities in the future.

Subject this material- acrylic paintings for beginners. This painting technique opened up a new reality to the world. This element is used not only by artists, it has found wide application in various fields.

color base

To create acrylic paintings means to paint them with paints made on water based. They do not require special thinners. If you decide to paint with acrylics, remember that they do not turn yellow and do not cause allergic reactions. Paints combine the properties of oils and watercolors.

Peculiarities

When creating acrylic paintings, you need to know about salient features such painting technique. The finished work can be almost indistinguishable from oil or watercolor. With the skillful use of such paints, you can achieve a unique color rendition that is not available to other techniques. Learning to paint with acrylics is not difficult, especially for those people who are already familiar with watercolors or oils. It should be borne in mind, however, that such paints dry very quickly. This can be both an advantage and bring certain inconveniences.

Practice

We need even and diffused lighting. It is necessary to ensure that the amount of light falling on the model and the plane of the canvas does not suddenly change throughout the day. It should be borne in mind that an incandescent lamp can visually change the shades of colors. For work you will need: a palette knife, acrylic thinner, a moistened palette, water, art brushes, a set of paints, a spray bottle, a surface for painting, an easel, a stretcher. acrylic painting can be created on any surface, however, if it is not white watercolor paper, it will have to be primed. To give whiteness, we use an emulsion. Do not use hot water, acrylic can harden from it. When working with the selected paints, you will have to hurry. We start drawing "on wet". In this case, we use diluted acrylic. If it is used as a canvas, we pre-wet it with water and stretch it, fastening masking tape wet edges. It is best to use two brushes. Paint should be applied first. The second is to soften transitions, correct defects, smooth out contours, remove excesses. You can achieve greater expressiveness, brilliance and depth using the method of layered glazing. This approach consists in the initial application of thick paints. After you can proceed to the use of diluted. It is important to wait for each layer to dry. also in this case you can use the impasto technique, it is typical for working with oil. If a certain place needs to be touched up, in theory it is possible to apply new layers on top of the dried ones many times. In practice, this often causes problems and you have to scrape off the paint to the base. There is acrylic, which has a high transparency. If such material is used, the glazing technique is ineffective. Based on these simple tips, you can easily paint acrylic paintings on canvas with your own hands.

If you want to try something new in painting, pay attention to the acrylic painting technique. Canvases created with plastic-based paints have an interesting three-dimensional structure. Painting with acrylics is no more difficult than painting with watercolors. At the same time, the finished painting does not need to be treated with fixing compounds - the paints have high resistance, do not fade and are not afraid of water.

What is acrylic paint

Acrylic paints appeared in mass production relatively recently - only 50 years ago. Pigmented acrylic resin quickly gained universal popularity - primarily due to its versatility and durability. It is used not only by painters on canvas, but also by interior artists who create paintings on the walls, builders and even manicurists.

Acrylic paints are different. So, for decorating walls or ceilings, it is better to choose a special acrylic paint of a dense consistency. Volumetric images in the interior look colorful, realistic and original. Less concentrated paints, usually sold in tubes, are suitable for creating paintings on canvas. The process of drawing for beginners is fascinating, it allows you to fully reveal your artistic talent.

How to prepare the basis for the future picture

Before choosing acrylic paint, take care of preparing the base. You can draw on wooden boards or plywood. You can use a stretcher or regular canvas. The easiest way to paint is with acrylic on paper, so a beginner should first master this canvas.

Choose paper with a thick, rough surface. In order for you to paint correctly with acrylic, the base must be strong. If you choose textured paper, stick a wood backing on it.

Remove the formed air bubbles with the help of a book - the canvas for painting is ready. Acrylic canvas can be further sanded as the material adheres best to a smooth surface. Beginning painters often wonder if acrylic should be primed on canvas.

If you are working on boards, you will need an acrylic primer, which is available in art stores. It is a special emulsion with titanium dioxide, which gives whiteness. The primer is applied to the prepared board in several layers and dried during the day.

How to learn to paint with acrylic from scratch

First of all, make sure the paint is not dry. When applying the first strokes, be sure to moisten the acrylic palette with water - for this you need a spray bottle. No need to pour a lot of acrylic paint at one time. Use absorbent paper, you can put it under the palette.

Watch the transparency of the paint: the more water you add, the more transparent the strokes will be. First paint with large brushes, start with large areas. Then smoothly move on to the main details. The technique of painting with acrylic on paper or a wooden board requires the utmost care and precision. From time to time, look at the drawing in the mirror - this will help you understand if its proportions are correct.

Many beginners find it difficult to mix acrylics with each other. You can use a thinner - it increases the "open" time of the paints, making them easier to compose. It is necessary to distribute the material only with the edge of the brush, and to obtain clear contours of the sketch, you can use ordinary adhesive tape, which is sold at any hardware store.

Try lightening and darkening the shades by adding white or black tones to them. To clean the palette of acrylic paints, use any plastic-dissolving agent - a common household solvent will do.

Acrylic painting on paper or wood creative process which is a lot of fun. To make it even more enjoyable, follow these guidelines:

The colors darken significantly when dry. Keep this in mind when choosing shades for the future canvas. Choose non-toxic materials to work with, even if they cost more. Wear an apron while you work so you don't stain your clothes.

In addition to professional brushes with long handles, paints and canvas base, stock up on decoupage glue, as well as a convenient spray bottle filled with water.

It is better to use a plastic palette - it is practical and easy to clean. Don't forget about clean water in which you will rinse the brushes.

Having mastered the technique of painting with acrylic, you can create real masterpieces. A little patience, diligence and the right materials for work are the key to impressive results.

Acrylic paints for drawing appeared relatively recently - in the middle of the 20th century. They were created by the founders of Bocour Artists Colors Leonard Bocour and Sam Golden specifically for painting, but it quickly became clear that the scope of the product is much wider. Today they are used in construction, automotive, beauty industries.

Acrylic paints are classified as water-dispersion, are made from polymers and derivatives of acrylic or methacrylic acids. Depending on the purpose, they often contain various additives that increase plasticity, hardness, heat resistance or frost resistance, and regulate density and fluidity.

Paints for drawing are made from polyacrylic resins, water and pigments. But today painting is not limited to paintings, written on canvas, cardboard or paper:

But various areas painting is not the only What can acrylic paints be used for? They are widely used:

At the same time, the paint is considered environmentally friendly, does not harm health even with frequent and close contact.

acrylic painting

As soon as paints made from acrylic polymers appeared, they immediately gained popularity not only among artists, displacing oil and watercolor, but also among fashion and interior designers, stained-glass windows and utensils. In children's art and development centers, acrylic is also often used as a material for painting. This is largely due to the absence of an unpleasant odor, ease of rinsing and a wide range of applications.

You can paint with acrylic using natural or synthetic brushes, a palette knife, squeezing it straight out of the tube, dots, sponge. If it is strongly diluted with water, then you can even use an airbrush.

painting pictures

Paints from different manufacturers vary in consistency. The thickest ones are usually produced in plastic or iron tubes. They are used when writing canvases in a technique similar to oil painting. Liquid ones, which are much cheaper, can be “fixed” with special thickeners if necessary.

If you dilute them with water before using acrylic paints for painting, they can replace watercolor. Acrylic glazing is easy to do - it dries quickly, the colors do not mix, the main thing is to adapt to apply a thin layer.

IN Lately Pastose or structural painting gained great popularity. It is considered the opposite of glazing and consists of applying thick, opaque strokes with a palette knife, a stiff, wide brush, or the fingers of an artist.

In impasto painting, expensive thick paints are used, and in large quantities. Therefore, each artist has his own recipe for special additives. Beginning painters often use starch or putty. Masters prepare complex compositions, sometimes numbering more than a dozen ingredients, including marble dust and bleached beeswax.

Acrylic dries very quickly, so before painting a picture, you need to stock up on an ordinary household spray bottle filled with clean water for periodic wetting of the canvas. You can buy a special drying retardant in art stores and dilute the paint with it.

point to point

Dot painting decorate dishes, interior items, including furniture, any leather, plastic, glass, wood and metal things. An unnecessary empty bottle or a burnt teapot can be turned into a work of art. With the help of dot painting, paintings and panels are created.

The point to point technique is to create a pattern from dots. For this, contours or glitters are most often used - metal or plastic tubes of small volume with a long nose. The points are set by squeezing the paint directly onto the surface of the craft. Some craftswomen use ordinary thick acrylic from jars, and take dots, toothpicks, and an awl as tools.

Sometimes a flight of fancy requires the use of a brush, and paint is squeezed out of tubes not only with dots, but also with bizarre lines. This mixed technique is simply called acrylic painting.

stained glass painting

It is believed that the technique originated in the 11th century in France during the construction of places of worship. With the advent of acrylic, stained glass painting "came to the masses" and is used to decorate any glass surfaces. With its help, you can create a stained-glass window, a picture or decorate a window, glasses, a vase.

First, the drawing is applied to the glass, and then signed with special stained glass paints. Painting can be fixed both by firing and drying in natural conditions. Often varnish is applied on top for greater safety.

Crockery for firing

When dotting or regular painting, the dishes are used as decorative or only the outer surface is painted, it can be washed with hot water, but it is not recommended to put it on the stove. There are paints and contours specially created for firing. With their help, they paint dishes that can be exposed to high temperatures.

It must be remembered that the requirements for the baking conditions of paints from different manufacturers may differ. For each product, you should take products of the same brand and carefully read the recommendations written in the instructions or on the label.

Batik and textiles

Any art store has a large selection of dyes marked "batik" or "textile". With their help, craftswomen create masterpieces on fabric. These can be paintings for interior decoration, bedding or exclusive clothes.

The dye is applied to the fabric, and a fixative is used to separate the colors and fix the border of the pattern. It is called a reserve and is made on a water basis, sometimes from gasoline, paraffin. Paints for textiles are characterized by increased flexibility, strength and moisture resistance. Products decorated with them are machine washed at temperatures below 60 degrees.

Features of work

Acrylic-based paints can be considered the most trouble-free, but they need to be used wisely. There are several rules that should not be neglected.

Product preparation

Before painting, the work surface must be degreased, textiles washed, and hands washed with soap and water. Glass, wood, metal products are wiped with alcohol or acetone. Any greasy stain will cause the paint to peel off.

For the creation to be durable, an appropriate primer must be applied to the surface. The exception is textiles and stained glass. For the canvas, a special artistic primer is used; in hand-made, universal is most often used. Be sure to read the label before buying. The word "universal" does not guarantee that the product is suitable for all surfaces.

Care of materials and tools

Acrylic dyes dry quickly, if there is no need to mix colors, it is better to take them directly from the jar or squeeze the tube onto a brush or palette knife. The tool is constantly wiped with a cloth or napkin and rinsed in a glass of water. Little by little paints are placed on the palette, mixed and used quickly. Jars and tubes should not be left open.

Immediately after work, brushes, palette knives and hands should be washed under running water. Dried acrylic is difficult to remove. But if this happens, you can use alcohol, acetone or nail polish remover.

Dried paints

When painting is done infrequently, sooner or later the question arises of how to dissolve acrylic paint for drawing. If it just became thick, you can take plain water. Just pour little by little, mixing thoroughly. For heavily thickened paint, special solvents are used. sold in art stores.

You can dilute paints with boiling water by adding and draining hot water several times. Such an operation leads to success only if the acrylic is not completely dry, but high-quality paint cannot be obtained. It will be lumpy and not fit well on the work surface. It is better to throw out such paint and buy a new one.

Advantages and disadvantages of acrylic

Everything has strengths and weaknesses. Dyes based on acrylic polymers are a rare product that has a lot of advantages and few disadvantages, all of which are insignificant.

Benefits include:

Among the shortcomings are the following:

• Acrylic dyes are usually poorly compatible with others.
• Sometimes a faster drying time can be a disadvantage.
• High price.

Acrylic-based paint is universal. It can be used by both venerable artists, advanced designers, hand-made masters, as well as novice painters or children.