Acrylic Painting for Beginners: A Friendly Guide

An abstract painting with red, yellow, blue, green and purple with a text overlay that reads "abstract painting: a friendly guide".

Hey hey!

So, you're thinking about giving acrylic painting a shot but feeling a tad nervous? Hey, I get it. Starting something new can be a tad intimidating, but let me tell you – if I can do it, so can you! Let’s walk through this adventure together, step by step. 🎨

1. First Thing's First: The Shopping Trip

Alright, before we get our paint on, we need some gear:

  • Acrylic paints: You don’t need the fanciest set. A basic color set will do wonders.

  • Brushes: A variety pack with different shapes and sizes. We'll figure out your favorites as we go.

  • Canvas or paper: Small ones are great to begin with – less intimidating!

  • Palette: A fancy word for “place to mix paint.” I’ve used a plate, a bowl - you name it.

  • Water container, paper towels & maybe an old shirt: Because let’s be real, it's gonna get a tad messy.

2. Carve Out Your Happy Place

Find your painting haven. A spot by the window? Perfect. A corner in the garage? That works too. Just make it comfy and well-lit.

3. Color Mixing 101: It’s Like Magic!

Before we dive in, let's have fun blending:

  • Primary Colors: Red, Blue, Yellow – the OGs.

  • Secondary Colors: Mix two primary ones and voilà! Green, Orange, and Purple.

  • Tertiary Colors: This is where the magic happens. Mix a primary with its closest secondary buddy.

  • Tone/Tint/Shade: Some of my faves: What happens when you add gray to a hue (tone), or white (tint), or black (shade)?

4. Let’s Get Our Hands Dirty!

Techniques to Play With:

  • Washing: Think watercolors, but with acrylics.

  • Dry brushing: Minimal paint, maximal texture.

  • Layering: Paint. Dry. Repeat. (This is the hardest step for me because being patient is TOUGH!)

  • Blending: Making two colors look like BFFs.

5. First Masterpieces (Yes, I Said It!):

  • Landscapes: Maybe those trees outside your window? Or that park you love?

  • Abstract: Just let loose and see where your brush takes you.

  • Still life: Your coffee mug? That quirky vase? Perfect models!

6. Perfection? Pfft, Overrated.

Your first pieces are about having fun and maybe discovering you have a hidden talent. If you’re not vibing with a painting, no stress! Let it dry and reinvent it. Yep - you can paint/gesso right over another painting.

7. After the Fun: The Cleanup

Quick tip: Acrylics dry super fast. So, after a painting sesh, give your brushes a nice bath ASAP.

8. Stay Pumped and Inspired

There's a world of inspiration out there:

  • Local art classes can be a blast and a cool way to meet fellow budding artists.

  • YouTube tutorials are gold.

  • Museums? A window into countless styles and eras.

9. Relish Every Brushstroke

Keep your early works. Trust me, it's a blast looking back and seeing how far you’ve come. Here’s another plug for painting sketchbooks. :)

10. Everyone Starts Somewhere

Remember, every amazing artist was once a newbie. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Enjoy the ride, the mess, the colors, and the thrill of creating something uniquely yours.

So, what do you say? Ready to take on this exciting journey? I promise it'll be a blast!

Happy painting, my friend! 🖌️❤️

Abstract PaintingAlexandra BagleyComment