Top tips for acrylic painting

We have added some top tips on this page to help you get started with acrylic painting. If you have questions you can’t find the answer for please email us and we’ll do all we can to help.

Stop the paint drying on your palette.

Acrylic paint tends to dry extremely quickly and tends to dry out on the palette before you get chance to use it all. You can extend this time by spraying affine mist of water over your palette from time to time. Alternatively you can also use a Stay wet palette which are specifically designed to prevent your paint drying out on your palette.

Clean your brush often.

Never leave your brush with acrylic paint on it for more than 10-15 minutes or the paint will be nearly impossible to remove from your brush.

Create a defined edge with acrylics.

A sharp/defined edge can be created by applying a strip of masking tape to your canvas or area of dried acrylic paint. Paint up to the edge of the tape and then remove your tape when dry. Masking tape can be applied to dried areas of acrylic without causing damage to the painting.

Create a watercolour style wash

Acrylic paint can be used to create washes similar to watercolour paintings. To achieve this effect use water to thin down the paint to the required consistency. Unlike watercolours an acrylic wash will dry permanently.

Palette Choice.

When buying a palette to use with your acrylics you should get a non-porous type to prevent the acrylics soaking into your palette. {Plastic palettes} are a perfect choice for acrylic painting.