Painting with acrylics: some useful tips Part 3

What is the right way to dilute acrylic paints?

If you use water to dilute acrylic paints, it should be pure and cool. The properties of the paint change depending on the proportions chosen.

• 1:1 is suitable for the first few layers, it improves the viscosity of the paint, and it adheres well, without accumulating on the brush;
• 1:2 is used for secondary layers, the paint is distributed evenly, creating a smooth finish;
• 1:5 is used for glazing, the acrylic paint creates a strong, semi-transparent layer, since the pigment easily penetrates through the pores on the surface. Special thinners do not create the same effect, by the way.

When adding thinners and drying retarders and mediums to the paint, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions strictly.

A significant drawback to this method is the fact that the paint is unlikely ever to be as homogeneous again, since some of the lumps will not disappear entirely.

How should you mix acrylic paints?

To get the best shades, you can mix acrylic paints using the same principle that applies to oil paints. Take a small amount of two or more colors and mix them until you get a homogeneous shade. There are special tables that help you to combine the paint in the right proportions.

Another way to mix them is as follows: on top of the first layer, once it is nice and dry, a second, transparent layer is added, using a different color. You can get a very interesting effect by doing this: it is as if the main color is shining through the upper layer. This method requires certain skills and knowledge of how the technique of glazing works.

As for how much of the shade you should mix, it is always best to mix a little more than you expect to need. That way, you’ll be able to correct any errors after the paint dries out, without the corrections being noticeable.

Techniques to use when painting with acrylics

There are a number of techniques that are used with acrylics.

• Glazing – semi-transparent, diluted paint is applied to the canvas in a thin layer, using a pouring technique.
• Dry technique – the paint is applied to the surface using a dry brush. After washing, the brush is wiped clean thoroughly.
• The wet technique is used if you need to create a watercolor effect: the paint is diluted with plenty of water.
• Impasto involves applying a dense layer of paint to the canvas in thick, textured brushstrokes.

Acrylic paints also allow you to adopt a mixed technique, using a variety of approaches.

Dry Brush – a technique that involves using a dry brush; wet-in-wet – the use of a large amount of water, to create a watercolor effect; Impasto – brushstrokes applied using a palette knife / spatula, and so on.

What else do you need to know?

• Once fully dry, acrylic paints cannot be washed off, so it’s best to wear something that you won’t mind getting paint on, or to put on big overalls. You should also put a protective cover over your work surface.
• If you’re working on a big project, make sure you finish at least one independent part of it all in one go.
• Don’t get lazy when it comes to washing the brushes and changing the water as often as possible, especially if you’re working with a large number of small, fine details: it won’t be possible to paint them with a dirty brush.
• If you let the acrylic paint dry on the brush, the brush will be no good and you’ll have to throw it out. So always wash it with some gentle soap under warm, running water straight away. You can also get special liquids for cleaning brushes.
• To get precise lines in your work, you can use masking tape. Stick it onto the dried layer and carry on working. Don’t worry, the tape has a very low level of adhesiveness, and won’t damage the surface of the painting.
• You should prepare not one, not two but three jars of water. Add a few drops of liquid to the first one and use it when you want to increase viscosity, so that the paint spreads better across the surface. Add some warm water to the second jar, to clean your brushes in. You can rinse your brushes in the third jar.
• You should wash your brushes every 5-10 minutes. Always wipe your brush thoroughly with a paper towel or napkin, so that the water doesn’t flow under the metal ferrule on the brush and then ruin your work.

We hope you’ve been inspired to create some eye-catching art!