ACRYLIC PAINT

Acrylic Paint is fast-drying paint containing pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion. Acrylic paints can be diluted with water, but become water- resistant when dry. Depending on how much the paint is diluted (with water) or modified with acrylic gels, media, or pastes, the finished acrylic painting can resemble a watercolor or an oil painting, or have its own unique characteristics not attainable with other media.

Base Drawing

Underpainting When the artist blocks in the basic colors of the objects and other areas of the painting with a thin layer of paint. The underpainting also eliminates the white pinholes in the final painting and it establishes the placement of objects in the painting.

Wet on Wet

Scumbling This is usually done by using a brush with most of the paint wiped out of it. The almost-dry brush is dragged or scrubbed over the surface of the painting so that paint is left only on the high spots of the canvas surface. This allows the paint underneath to show through the scumbled paint. Scumbling looks similar to the technique called “dry brush” in watercolor painting.

Scumbling- white over turquoise blue (sky)

Glazing a thin layer of transparent paint used in acrylic painting techniques to create luminous color and depth. These types of paints are light enough when brushed onto canvas to show the layers underneath. Glazes may be used in single or multi-layer color application. This technique is commonly used to create more realistic images.

Impasto a technique of building up thick paint to create a rough or bumpy surface on a painting. One can build up an impasto just with wet paint but it will shrink and flatten as it dries.

The Materials You Will Be Working With…