Carl Hose has been writing since high school. His work appears in the zombie anthology "Cold Storage," which he co-edited. His work also appears in "Champagne Shivers," "DeathGrip: It Came from the Cinema," "DeathGrip: Exit Laughing," the horror anthology "Loving the Undead," the erotic ghost anthology "Beyond Desire" and issues of "Lighthouse Digest." Hose's nonfiction appears in "Blue Review" and "Writer's Journal."
SUPPLIES
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrushes
- Canvas or paper
Overview
Acrylic paints are water soluble, fast drying and can be used on almost any surface, which makes them a popular choice for many artists. It doesn't take a lot of special skill to learn how to use acrylics to create eye-catching works of art. Here's all you need to know about acrylic paints to get started on your first masterpiece.
Beginners Acrylic Painting
Step 1
Set up your canvas and paints. Find a comfortable, inspirational work area. Setting your work space near a window with a beautiful outside view is ideal. Even painting outside can lend inspiration to the beginning and professional artist alike.
Step 2
Keep a bowl of water and a spray bottle of water nearby. Think of the colors you need to start with, and squeeze small amounts of those colors out at a time. Since acrylics dry so quickly, squeezing out more than you need will result in wasted paint.
Step 3
Use a combination of soft- and hard-bristle paintbrushes to paint your acrylic picture. Each brush has a different effect on the flow of the acrylic paint. A softer-bristle brush produces a smoother effect, while a harder-bristle brush produces rougher textures.
Step 4
Keep your acrylics wet. Use your spray bottle to lightly dampen the paints on your palette. Keep your brushes clean at all times to avoid unwanted blending of colors. Since acrylics are water soluble, using water to achieve a wash or to blend the acrylic paints on your masterpiece is an important technique. Keep the bowl of water close by.
Step 5
Let your imagination run wild. Acrylics are fun and easy to work with. Experiment at first. Don't be concerned with detail or realism at first. Take advantage of the special qualities of acrylic paint to create a painting you'll be proud to hang in your home.
Resources
