Simple drawings with acrylic paints. How to paint with acrylic paints correctly

How to use acrylic paints correctly? This is a simple science, but it has many significant nuances. There is practically no need to learn how to apply them correctly on the chosen base - acrylic painting does not require any special techniques. Quite the contrary - with these paints you can work in any style and on any surface. Acrylic is perfect for working with both a palette knife and regular art brushes. The structure of the paints allows you to draw thin graceful lines and broad strokes in the picture with equal success.

Today we will look at what is best to paint on with acrylic paints.

Canvas - this is an ideal base for acrylic, because on it reveals the best qualities of this paint. Among them are:

  • water resistance - acrylic, in essence , this is liquid plastic, which is why after drying it is completely waterproof, and it is at least very difficult to damage it in conditions of high humidity;
  • The transparency of the paint can vary depending on your wishes. This is very simple to do - just dilute it with water (however, no more than 20%);
  • mixing. In order to get the desired shade, darken or slightly lighten the tone of acrylic, simply mix several of the desired colors.

Thus, to the question: “Is it possible to do acrylic painting?”, the answer will be unequivocal - of course, yes. Moreover, you can work in absolutely any technique, since acrylic is ready for any challenge.

If you paint with acrylic paints on canvas, then you need to adhere to the following rules:

  • Before you start painting, make sure your paints are in good condition. Keep in mind that acrylic dries quickly, and the drier it is, the more difficult it is to work with. Therefore, do not forget to periodically wet the palette with water.
  • Start with drawing large details, change large brushes to thinner ones. Think about it: perhaps it will be more convenient for you to paint large areas with a more transparent tone, and make the details bright.
  • Periodically dry your brushes with a clean cloth.
  • Don't be afraid to mix different colors and mix the paint with water in the correct proportion (no more than 20 percent water).

How to paint with acrylic paints on nails?

The water resistance and vapor permeability of acrylic attracted the attention of manicurists. They didn’t even doubt whether it was possible to paint with this paint on their nails, because it significantly expanded their capabilities. One tube of this wonderful decorative material could simultaneously serve as a base layer, translucent toner and modeling paste. It also has another very attractive property - it can be mixed with different solid particles, such as glitter and modulators. There are a lot of master classes on the Internet that will help you learn step by step how to make elegant drawings with acrylic paints on gel polish.

Of course, discussions about whether it is possible to paint with acrylic on nails coated with gel polish do not subside, because many still consider this material too toxic for such close contact. However, we hasten to reassure you - high-quality artistic paint does not pose any threat to health.

Is it possible to use this paint to paint paper sheets, and what paper is best to do this on? This is a fairly common question among those who use acrylic for the first time. And this is not surprising, because for this coloring material the correct base is very important. The fairly dense structure of the paints and some features of their use do not allow working with thin and smooth leaves. Therefore, if you want them to fit correctly on the base, opt for thick embossed paper or cardboard. This rule will answer one more very important question: is it possible to paint with acrylic on wallpaper? This technique of artistic painting on walls is often used in designer renovations. And all because a small drawing made by a master’s hand can completely transform a room.

What wallpaper can you draw on? The answer to this is not so simple. On the one hand, the chemical characteristics of acrylic make it absolutely compatible with any material, on the other hand, painting embossed textured wallpaper is quite difficult (but at the same time realistic). Thus, when deciding on painting finishing materials, first of all focus on the complexity of the design and your level of skill.

How to paint with acrylic paints on fabric?

As mentioned earlier, acrylic is absolutely compatible with any base material, so the answer to the question of whether it can be used to paint on silk or any other fabric is clear. Of course you can. However, before you start working on clothing, pay attention to the material it is made from. Natural fabric dyed with synthetic dye is more resistant to frequent washing and constant mechanical stress than synthetic fabric. Therefore, it is the composition of the material that will primarily determine whether something can be drawn on clothes, and what kind of thing it is better to do it on.

To apply an acrylic design to fabric, use step-by-step painting or ready-made stencils (this will not particularly affect the overall result). If you are working with such dyes for the first time, then it makes sense to first practice on an old T-shirt. This way you can accurately determine the brush number you need, as well as the desired paint thickness.

What can you paint on with acrylic paints?

As you already understand, the number of materials that acrylic is compatible with is truly amazing. You can draw with it on almost any surface without any fear of possible consequences. The only question that is in doubt is: is it possible to make drawings on the face? There is no doubt about the excellent quality of the drawing, but will you be able to wash it off later? , this is in question. However, the Internet is replete with ideas for painting with acrylic on leather (or rather, products made from it).

A lot can be said about the versatility of acrylic paints - they can be used to paint on felt boots, on ceramics and on a concrete wall with equal success. They are used even on an industrial scale, making drawings on factory dishes or painting jewelry.

When painting on wood, it is worth remembering that this material should not be painted without a primer - the material will absorb too much paint, and the drawing will turn out uneven. This rule applies exclusively to natural unpainted wood. When applying a pattern to an already painted surface, no primer is needed. However, when drawing It is still worth applying an adhesive layer on plywood - it will ensure reliable adhesion of the decorating material and the smooth base.

We paint flowers with acrylic paints

The technique of drawing a rose or tulip step by step with acrylic is no different from that used when working with oil paints, watercolors or gouache. This is often used when restoring furniture, accessories and jewelry. The new material will be able to replace other types of dyes, and it is also much stronger than them.

Acrylic coloring pigments are widely used in restoring toys. With their help, you can correct or re-draw the doll's eyes and lips, or even completely redraw her face.

Using acrylic, you can also paint abstract paintings, use abstraction to decorate a vintage box, or transfer it to an old T-shirt. To be honest, it doesn’t really matter what you paint with this material. , no (winter, clouds, and a Christmas tree turn out equally well).

There are no special secrets to learning how to paint with acrylic from scratch. However, it is worth knowing some tricks of working with acrylic.

First, you need to make sure that the paint is always wet - acrylic dries very quickly.

Secondly, always work in overalls - then it will be almost impossible to wash off the coloring pigment.

Thirdly, monitor the quality of the paint. The thing is that unscrupulous manufacturers often use harmful and toxic ingredients. This is why it is so difficult to answer the question of whether pregnant women and small children can paint with such paints. This can be done if you completely trust the manufacturer and use well-ventilated areas for work.

Acrylic paints for painting appeared relatively recently - in the middle of the 20th century. They were created by the founders of Bocour Artists Colors, Leonard Bocour and Sam Golden, specifically for painting, but it quickly became clear that the scope of the product was much wider. Today they are used in construction, automotive, and the beauty industry.

Acrylic paints are classified as water-dispersion paints, are made from polymers and derivatives of acrylic or methacrylic acids. Depending on their purpose, they often contain various additives that increase plasticity, hardness, heat resistance or frost resistance, and regulate density and fluidity.

Painting paints are made from polyacrylic resins, water and pigments. But today painting is not limited to paintings, written on canvas, cardboard or paper:

But the various spheres of painting are not the only What can acrylic paints be used for? They are widely used:

At the same time, the paint is considered environmentally friendly and does not harm health even with frequent and close contact.

Acrylic painting

As soon as paints made from acrylic polymers appeared, they immediately gained popularity not only among artists, displacing oil and watercolor, but also among clothing and interior designers, creators of stained glass and tableware. In children's art and development centers, acrylic is also often used as a material for painting. This is largely due to the absence of an unpleasant odor, ease of rinsing and a wide range of applications.

You can paint with acrylic using natural or synthetic brushes, a palette knife, squeezing it directly from the tube, dots, or a sponge. If you dilute it heavily with water, you can even use an airbrush.

Painting pictures

Paints from different manufacturers differ in consistency. The thickest ones are usually produced in plastic or iron tubes. They are used when painting canvases using a technique similar to oil painting. Liquid ones, which are much cheaper, can be “fixed” with special thickeners if necessary.

If you dilute them with water before using acrylic paints for painting, they can replace watercolors. Glazing with acrylic is easy to do - it dries quickly, the colors do not mix, the main thing is to adapt to applying a thin layer.

Recently, impasto or structural painting has gained great popularity. It is considered the opposite of glazing and consists of applying thick, opaque strokes with a palette knife, a hard wide brush or the artist’s fingers.

In impasto painting, expensive thick paints are used, and in large quantities. Therefore, each artist has his own recipe for special additives. Beginning painters often use starch or putty. Craftsmen prepare complex compositions, sometimes containing more than a dozen ingredients, including marble dust and bleached beeswax.

Acrylic dries very quickly, so before painting you need to stock up on an ordinary household spray bottle filled with clean water to periodically moisten the canvas. You can purchase a special drying retardant at art stores and dilute the paint with it.

Point to point

Spot painting is used to decorate dishes, interior items, including furniture, and any leather, plastic, glass, wood and metal items. An unwanted empty bottle or burnt teapot can be turned into a work of art. Using dot painting, they create paintings and panels.

The point to point technique involves creating a pattern from dots. For this, contours or glitters are most often used - small-volume metal or plastic tubes with a long spout. Dots are placed by squeezing paint directly onto the surface of the craft. Some craftswomen use regular thick acrylic from jars, and use dots, toothpicks, and an awl as tools.

Sometimes a flight of fancy requires the use of a brush, and paint is squeezed out of tubes not only in dots, but also in fancy lines. This mixed media technique is simply called acrylic painting.

Stained glass painting

It is believed that the technique originated in the 11th century in France during the construction of religious buildings. With the advent of acrylic, stained glass painting “came to the masses” and is used to decorate any glass surfaces. With its help you can create a stained glass window, a picture or decorate a window, glasses, or a vase.

First, the design is applied to the glass and then painted with special stained glass paints. The painting can be fixed either by firing or drying under natural conditions. Often, varnish is applied on top for greater preservation.

Cookware for firing

When dot or regular painting, the dishes are used as decorative or only the outer surface is painted; they can be washed with hot water, but it is not recommended to place them on the stove. There are paints and contours specially created for firing. They are used to paint dishes that may be exposed to high temperatures.

It must be remembered that the requirements for baking conditions for paints from different manufacturers may differ. For each product, you should take products of the same brand and carefully read the recommendations written in the instructions or on the label.

Batik and textiles

Any art store offers a large selection of dyes labeled “batik” or “textiles”. With their help, craftswomen create masterpieces on fabric. These could be paintings for interior decoration, bedding or exclusive clothing.

The dye is applied to the fabric, and a fixative is used to separate the colors and fix the border of the design. It is called reserve and is made on a water basis, sometimes from gasoline, paraffin. Textile paints are characterized by increased flexibility, durability and moisture resistance. Products decorated with them are machine washable at temperatures below 60 degrees.

Features of work

Paints created on the basis of acrylic can be considered the most trouble-free, but they must be used wisely. There are several rules that should not be neglected.

Product preparation

Before starting painting, the work surface must be degreased, textiles must be washed, and hands must be washed with soap. Glass, wood, and metal products are wiped with alcohol or acetone. Any greasy stain will cause the paint to peel off.

In order for the creation to be durable, the appropriate primer must be applied to the surface. The exception is textiles and stained glass. For canvas, a special artistic primer is used; in handmade, a universal primer is most often used. Before purchasing, be sure to read the label. The word "universal" does not guarantee that the product is suitable for any surface.

Care of materials and tools

Acrylic dyes dry quickly; if there is no need to mix colors, it is better to take them directly from the jar or squeeze a tube onto a brush or palette knife. The instrument is constantly wiped with a cloth or napkin and rinsed in a glass of water. Paints are placed on the palette little by little, mixed and used quickly. Jars and tubes should not be left open.

Immediately after work, brushes, palette knives and hands should be washed under running water. Dried acrylic is difficult to remove. But if this happens, you can use alcohol, acetone or nail polish remover.

Dried paints

When painting is done infrequently, sooner or later the question arises of how to dissolve acrylic paint for drawing. If it just becomes thick, you can use plain water. You just need to pour a little at a time, mixing thoroughly. For heavily thickened paint, special solvents are used., sold in art stores.

You can dilute paints with boiling water, adding and draining hot water several times. This operation leads to success only if the acrylic has not completely dried, but it will not be possible to obtain high-quality paint. It will be lumpy and will not fit well on the work surface. It's better to throw away this paint and buy new one.

Advantages and disadvantages of acrylic

Everything has strengths and weaknesses. Dyes based on acrylic polymers are a rare product that has many advantages and few disadvantages, all of which are insignificant.

Benefits include:

Among the disadvantages are the following:

  • Acrylic dyes are usually poorly compatible with others.
  • Sometimes a faster drying speed can be a disadvantage.
  • High price.

Acrylic based paint is universal. It can be used by both seasoned artists, advanced designers, handmade masters, and novice painters or children.

If you are tired of ordinary watercolors and oils, try painting with acrylic paints, which combine the properties of both materials. The peculiarity is that dried paintings are not afraid of water and sun, so they remain forever the way you created them. To master this kind of creativity, use the instructions below.

Drawing with acrylic paints for beginners step by step

Acrylic is often used for arts and crafts. It is universal, and unlike watercolors, it allows you to apply one layer to another without the danger of damaging the already applied drawing. The scope for creativity is expanding - you can create any picture. The main thing is to know how to paint with acrylic paints correctly and take into account all the recommendations for this process.

How to use acrylic paints for painting

For a beginning artist, 6 colors will be enough. Having learned to use acrylic, you can expand your palette to 12 or 18 shades. In addition, you will also need something on which you can paint with acrylic paints. What to use:

  1. A variety of materials are suitable as a basis for paintings - wood, glass, plastic, thick paper or cardboard, canvas and even metals.
  2. Brushes can be natural or synthetic.
  3. It is allowed to use a palette knife. If properly diluted with water, even an airbrush can be used.

You need to dilute acrylic paints for painting on a palette with a special solvent or water, adding them little by little to the acrylic so that the consistency becomes similar to watercolor. When such translucent layers are applied to a painting one after another, a very interesting effect is obtained. For undiluted acrylic, only synthetic flat and wide brushes are suitable, but you need to paint quickly, because the drying speed of the paint increases.

Drawing techniques

Before painting with acrylic paints, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the techniques in which paintings are made. Among the main methods of creating canvases are:

  1. Wet technique. It involves applying diluted paints onto a canvas moistened with warm water.
  2. The “dry” method. To paint a picture using this technique, it is recommended to use several brushes at once, which can be used to edit the composition on a dry canvas.
  3. "Glassing in layers." A thick acrylic layer is applied with a brush, on which a picture is then drawn.
  4. "Impasto." The paintings resemble oil paintings, the strokes are voluminous and clearly visible.

How to paint with acrylic paints

You can paint with acrylic paints on different surfaces, but for each case the general instructions are suitable, following which you can easily create a real masterpiece:

  1. Choose a surface that will serve as the basis for the future painting. Depending on its structure, select certain paints - the manufacturer gives recommendations on this matter on the jars or tubes.
  2. Decide on your drawing technique. For a watercolor effect, arm yourself with water or thinner and prepare your palette.
  3. Stock up on brushes - synthetics are suitable for undiluted acrylic, and it is easier to handle watercolor techniques with natural bristles made from ox hair or sable.
  4. Complete the painting with additional touches using felt-tip pen, ink, markers, gel pens or pencil.

On fabric

Painting with acrylic paints on fabric can be a little more difficult for beginners, so it's worth practicing. Silk or cotton surfaces are more suitable for materials - the pattern will lie better on them and will stick well. Before you begin the creative process, the fabric needs to be prepared - washed, ironed, stretched onto a special frame or laid out on a flat and hard surface. Don’t forget to separate the front and back sides of the item, otherwise the paint can only ruin its appearance - put cardboard or oilcloth. Then use the following instructions:

  1. Buy a special felt-tip pen that is used for drawing on fabric, and apply the selected design to the fabric. When using a simple pencil for this, keep in mind that you will need to draw slightly beyond the contours so that they are not visible.
  2. Use artistic brushes to paint the fabric, using thinner if necessary.
  3. After completing the work, leave it to dry for a day and then iron it.
  4. Wash the item only 2 days after ironing in a gentle cycle at a temperature of about 30 degrees.

On canvas

For the first time, it is better to choose a smaller canvas. In addition, you will need a sketch made in a simple pencil. For the basis of your future painting, use ready-made photo drawings or rely on your imagination. On a separate sheet of paper, sketch out the options and transfer it to the canvas. Then prepare your brushes, a spray bottle of water, a palette and a cloth. Start drawing from the background and large details, thinking through the combination of shades. To prevent the paint from drying out, use a spray bottle - this will make the transitions between colors smoother.

On paper

It is better to take thicker paper, for example, intended for watercolors. Of all the materials, it is more economical and suitable for beginners, as it has shallow embossing, which is easy to apply strokes to. You can buy either an album or a folder with individual sheets of any format. You need to prepare a palette, a set of several brushes and water if you need to dilute the paint.

The simplest acrylic paints are suitable for painting. If you have already decided on a drawing, then start with a sketch too. Then start working on the background part, using a wide rectangular brush - movements should be fast so that the paint does not have time to dry. For watercolor techniques, dilute it with water or paint on damp paper, and for oil painting, use it in its pure form, using a brush with uneven bristles.

On glass

The most original is acrylic painting on glass. To do this you will need:

  • toothpicks or cotton swabs for pattern correction;
  • acrylic paints and varnish;
  • brushes;
  • diluent;
  • contours to complete the basis of the drawing;
  • palette.

The technique of drawing on glass is as follows:

  1. Clean the surface of the glass by leaving it for 20 minutes. in hot water and then degreased with alcohol.
  2. Use a thin marker to draw a design, placing the sketch under the glass.
  3. Draw a special outline around the lines.
  4. Apply paint to the glass in layers, waiting for the previous layer to dry. Apply more paint to the brush and lightly touch the surface to distribute the acrylic evenly.
  5. When finished, rinse the brushes with water and coat the painting with acrylic varnish.

What can you paint with acrylic?

Having mastered the technique of painting with acrylic paints, you can create any painting, be it a light landscape with airy clouds or a portrait of a loved one. An individual T-shirt design and even wall painting will be beautiful. Standard waterproof acrylic paints can also be used for drawing beautiful patterns on nails - for example, for a French-style manicure. They are applied directly over shellac. If you are creating children's toys, then acrylic is perfect for drawing eyes on a textile doll.

Painting video tutorials

Acrylic is used to paint materials and even the body - drawings on the skin look very original and bright, which is why they even take part in various competitions with such works. Such creativity has a more complex technique and requires a certain experience and diligence. To learn how to use acrylic correctly, watch interesting videos about the stages of drawing a particular picture.

On gel polish

Flowers

By numbers

Acrylic paint is becoming more and more popular every year. It is easy to use and environmentally friendly. Today it is used in many fields of activity: construction, nail services, and creativity. The technique for performing work using this paint can be different. We'll talk about how to use acrylic paints in this article.

Peculiarities

This paint has a number of advantages over other paints and varnishes.

She is appreciated for:

  • versatility;
  • practicality in application;
  • practicality in operation;
  • efficiency;
  • environmental friendliness.

How to choose?

The choice of paint begins with determining how it will be used: interior, decorative or applied. There are two types of paint composition: organic and synthetic. Each of them is based on artificial resins. Dyes are used to create coloring pigment. Artificial pigments appear in bright and rich colors, and the natural base appears in pastel colors.

As already mentioned, acrylic is a universal type of paint and varnish materials. It can be used in any room. Acrylic dye is not afraid of moisture. You don't have to be a master to carefully cover any surface with it. First of all, buyers choose a material by color, then turn to information about the purpose. It can be found on the packaging. There is permanent paint, for ceilings, for facades or for interior work.

So, there are usually several types of acrylic paints:

  • Wear-resistant the paint is recommended for rooms with high levels of humidity.
  • Deep matte and matte paints are suitable for walls and ceilings in dry rooms. They hide small and insignificant irregularities, are easy to apply and have breathable properties. Before this, you need to remove the whitewash from the ceiling.
  • Glossy the paint does not hide unevenness and visually enhances the texture.

The color range of paints is wide. It is possible to make the shade yourself; for this, colors are used. They interfere with the white color and create the desired shade. Kohler is a concentrated paint. It can be thick or liquid.

White paint is divided into milky white, white and super white. For a purer shade, it is better to use the last two colors.

It is enough to follow the following points to properly mix the paint with the color:

  • carefully read the instructions and color chart;
  • use paint and colors from the same manufacturer;
  • mix them in a separate container;
  • You only need to mix the amount that needs to be used for painting at the moment.

Paint for outdoor work used to cover house facades and other outdoor items. There are two types of paint for facade work: water-based and based on organic compounds. The second is especially good for working at low temperatures in winter. It lays flat and dries quickly at sub-zero temperatures. Acrylic paint is highly wear-resistant, highly protective and durable, making it suitable for concrete products. The paint protects concrete from the influence of weather conditions and mechanical stress.

Acrylic-based coating is also chosen for wooden products. It has the following properties:

  • resistance to changes in temperature and moisture;
  • wear resistance prevents cracks from forming on the wooden surface;
  • retains color for ten years;
  • it is characterized by vapor permeability;
  • dries quickly;
  • easy to use;
  • no need to scrape off the old layer to apply a new coat of paint.

Artists and designers use acrylic for painting furniture, creating patterns on glass, drawings on fabric and for painting. There is acrylic for children's creativity - this paint is brighter and easily erased. It is non-toxic and is stored in plastic jars. There are also paints that have special properties, such as glow in the dark, fluorescent and pearlescent.

Paint for decorative works Available in jars and tubes. Both forms of storage are convenient to use. Paint in tubes can be purchased individually. It is worth noting that jars and tubes of paint come in different sizes. Acrylic fabric paints are distinguished by their elastic properties. When heated with an iron, they acquire a plastic structure and penetrate into the fabric. After dyeing, it is recommended to wash items by hand.

Acrylic paint for nails It is also stored in jars and tubes. The material in the jars is necessary to create a pattern with a brush or using other tools. If necessary, the paint can be diluted with water. Thanks to the narrow spout at the end of the tube, the paints are ready for use immediately. Tubes can also be purchased individually.

Types of surfaces

As already mentioned, acrylic paint has a universal property - it is used on different types of surfaces. Acrylic is “friendly” even with previously painted surfaces. The material can be applied to water-based paint without any problems, since both coatings are created on the same base. Acrylic paint can be used over oil paint. In this case, it is necessary to sand the area to be painted to increase adhesion. Acrylic paint also applies smoothly to latex coatings, since they have a similar composition.

The painted surface does not need to be specially prepared. In this case, sanding is only needed to level the walls. Alkyd and acrylic paints are completely different in composition, so it is not recommended to use one coating over the other. It is better to clean off the alkyd paint, prime the surface and apply a new color.

This cleaning process is also suitable for enamel paint. The enamel should be removed from the surface, the wall should be cleaned and the prepared area should be painted with acrylic paint.

Preparation usually involves sanding and coating with various types of primers. The soil plays the role of a compactor; it penetrates into surface cracks, creating a more dense structure of the product. Preparing plywood for painting occurs in several stages:

  • sanding - at this stage, defects and unevenness are removed using sandpaper, it is important to create a smooth top layer;
  • coating with the first layer of primer;
  • after drying, it is sanded again to remove small and insignificant irregularities and dust is removed;
  • coating with a second layer of primer;
  • After complete drying, the plywood is ready for painting

The plastic is prepared as follows:

  • removal of dirt and dust;
  • grinding - the surface should be rough to increase adhesion;
  • Before applying the primer layer, the plastic is degreased with alcohol;
  • primer;
  • the surface is ready for painting.

Chipboard is prepared in several stages:

  • if the chipboard product is a piece of furniture, then it is necessary to unscrew all the fittings;
  • if necessary, you need to remove the old layer of paint and varnish material and sand it;
  • remove contaminants;
  • degrease with white spirit;
  • if there are cracks, putty, sand the uneven areas again, remove dirt, and then prime;
  • After the primer has completely dried, you can begin painting.

To create a creative room interior, you can paint the wallpaper. For proper application, several important points should be observed:

  • Choose wallpaper for painting. They come in different types. Glass wallpaper is best suited for acrylic dyes.
  • The color of the wallpaper can vary, but it is better to choose white wallpaper for brighter shades of paint.
  • You can paint the wallpaper only after the glue has completely dried.
  • You can paint using a brush or roller. For textured wallpaper, a spray bottle is more suitable, as it completely paints the wall.

When painting wallpaper, the same rule applies: matte paints hide imperfections, while glossy paints visually enhance the structure.

To prepare for painting concrete, you need to follow several points:

  • Check the moisture content of the concrete. If the concrete product is relatively new (less than a month from the date of manufacture), then it is not worth painting. Humidity will cause paint to crack and fall off. You can check the humidity level as follows: stick a 1 m2 plastic bag to the wall using tape. If condensation remains on the film during the day, then such concrete should not be painted.
  • If necessary, you need to level the wall using putty in two layers. The second layer should be thin and as even as possible.
  • Then you need to sand the walls with sandpaper.
  • Apply 2-3 layers of concrete primer, waiting for each layer to dry completely.
  • Paint it.

Polystyrene foam is a universal insulation material. Sometimes it acts as a finishing surface. This type of plane is not so easy to paint with any paint, but acrylic compositions are very suitable for this. The foam coating must be properly prepared for good adhesion and even painting:

  • Clean from dirt and accumulated dust.
  • Cover with acrylic primer.
  • The foam has a very smooth surface, so the primer will flow and create a textured surface. Hence, the point of sanding is very important. Be sure to wait until the primer coat has completely dried.
  • The foam is ready for painting.

As described earlier, acrylic paint is not afraid of temperature changes, therefore, it is suitable for painting hot radiators. Such metal products are prepared in compliance with the following rules:

  • choose acrylic paint with rust protection or metal paint;
  • remove old coating using a wire brush;
  • degrease with white spirit;
  • Apply primer to the entire area to be painted;
  • the surface is ready for painting.

Painting brick walls does not require any special skills. The acrylic coating does not bubble or crack when the warm brick structure is exposed to the cold. Brick preparation proceeds as follows:

  • clean the surface from dirt;
  • You need to grind not only the surface of the bricks, but also between them;
  • prime with acrylic primer;
  • Check the surface for unevenness and begin painting.

There are special acrylic paints for glass. Glass products are prepared as follows:

  • cleaned of contaminants and degreased using alcohol or special solutions;
  • then a thin layer of paint is applied;
  • to create stained glass, you can use stencils - they are placed under the glass and outlined along the lines with contour acrylic paints;
  • The outline dries in 25-30 minutes, after which you can paint it with colored paints. They dry in about 24 hours.

Fibreboard has a porous structure. Therefore, the stages of preparing such material will be as follows:

  • clean from dirt;
  • polish;
  • degrease with white spirit;
  • saturate the surface with drying oil (using a paint brush);
  • After drying, you can apply paint.

Wooden surfaces are porous materials. When preparing for painting, the following rules should be observed:

  • remove the old layer of paint;
  • clean from dirt and dust;
  • remove all fittings;
  • sand with sandpaper or a special tool;
  • fill all cracks and irregularities and sand again;
  • apply 1-2 layers of primer;
  • The wooden product is ready for painting.

Plaster is suitable as a base for wall painting. When painting this surface, you should follow the basic rules of painting: cleaning, sanding, priming, coating.

Required Tools

Acrylic dyes are universal in use. Thanks to its water-based composition, acrylic can be given a more liquid consistency without special solutions. This requires the simplest tools that are found in every home.

What to paint with?

A brush is a universal tool for painting and creating designs. Use wide flat paint brushes to create a solid color. For more complex surfaces (pipe, battery) use a round brush. For drawing, you can use both paint brushes and art brushes. A line brush is a flat brush with short bristles. It is suitable for creating straight lines.

It should be remembered that art brushes for acrylic should be chosen from synthetic or bristles.

There are brushes for manicure. It is recommended to work with such tools in bright light and with a palette. Large flat areas are painted with a roller. It is chosen according to the length and composition of the fur coat. The longer the pile of the fur coat, the more textured the coating will be. For a smooth finish, use felt or nylon rollers. Mini rollers are used when painting corners, joints or transferring a design using a stencil. When working with a roller, use a special tray.

The paint from the spray gun is sprayed widely, so you should use a protective mask and protective clothing when working.

How to paint?

Regular surface painting is feasible for anyone. In this case, you need to follow a number of rules:

  • You should cover all areas that cannot be painted with paper or masking tape (windows, floors, baseboards).
  • You can prepare the surface and cover it with acrylic paint using a simple pattern from the corners and openings to the center. The corners are painted with a brush or a small roller; for the rest of the area it is better to use a large roller.
  • The spray gun is used for painting large surfaces, for example, the roof of a house, the facade of a building. A spray gun nozzle with a smaller spray angle is used in the room. Water-based paint can be diluted with water in an amount of 10-15% of the total volume.
  • Working with color is difficult, it is quite labor-intensive work. Mix paint and colors in a separate container. First, the main color is poured in, and then the color is added in small quantities, portionwise. It is necessary to thoroughly mix the composition until the color is uniform so that streaks do not form.

Facade acrylic paint is best suited for painting facades. The coloring rules are as follows:

  • Before painting the facade, you should prepare the surface depending on its type (concrete, wood). Then all places that must be protected from paint are covered. It is better to paint large areas with a roller or spray gun.
  • The choice of facade color depends on the color of the roof of the house. Landscape designers recommend using a combination of brown and green colors to visually create a cozy house made of wood. Experts advise painting the blind area of ​​the house and doors in a dark color. It should be remembered that the house will appear larger if its color is light.

Furniture painting: master class for beginners

Using acrylic paint you can turn an old cabinet into a beautiful piece of furniture. To do this you need to follow these simple rules:

  • After thorough sanding, it is necessary to prime the surface with white acrylic paint.
  • We paint the carved inserts on the doors in a contrasting color, for example, black. You can do the carving yourself.
  • On the tabletop of the cabinet we draw the design with a roller using a stencil. For people who have a lot of experience with paint, you can sketch the sketch in pencil and color it by hand.

Correct use of manicure paints

Using acrylic paint you can create an individual design on your nails. It's very easy to do this:

  • after a cosmetic manicure, the nail is covered with the main color of gel polish;
  • then the design is applied with acrylic using a special manicure brush;
  • After 3 minutes of drying, the surface can be coated with transparent gel nail polish.

The color of the varnish depends on the desired pattern. But there are several basic rules that nail service technicians follow:

  • for short nails, dark and bright colors of varnish are suitable: red, black, burgundy, purple and others;
  • for long nails it is better to choose delicate colors and shades: beige, white, pink, milky, etc.

Consumption

Paint consumption is calculated only for painting work. In other cases, these points are not relevant (artwork, nail coating). Consumption is indicated on the packaging. It all depends on the type of paint and manufacturer. You can calculate the required volume by determining the area that needs to be painted. What is important is paint consumption, surface porosity and the number of layers (usually 1-2).

The packaging may indicate a value of 1 l/m2. This means that one liter of paint can cover one square meter of area. As a rule, the error is indicated based on the porosity of the surface - 0.1-0.25 l/m2. 0.1/m2 – for a smooth and dense surface, 0.25/m2 – for an absorbent and porous surface.

You should not skimp on paint by diluting it with water. The composition will have a liquid structure, which will create additional layers of stains.

How long does it take to dry?

The coating dries depending on the thickness of the layer, but not for long - most often from several minutes to a day. The paint takes 24 hours to dry when applied extensively and thickly. Paint can dry faster with minimal humidity, warm temperatures and in a ventilated area. The paints take a few minutes to dry.

Acrylic paints are relatively easy to work with and dry quickly to create a water-resistant finish. Acrylic paints are very versatile and can be used to create many different visual textures and effects. But before you start drawing, you need to prepare all the necessary materials, create a contour sketch of the image, and only then move on to drawing finer details. Once you've learned the basics of working with acrylic paints, you can move on to more advanced painting techniques, such as color layering and stippling.

Steps

Purchasing a base and brushes for acrylic painting

    For a simple base option, choose a primed canvas on a stretcher. If you are a beginner artist, canvas will be the optimal material for you as a base. Canvas can be made from cotton or linen and is sold in various forms, such as with or without a stretcher. The canvas on a stretcher is firmly fixed on a wooden frame of a certain size. Canvas without a stretcher is usually sold not in pieces of ready-made sizes, but by the meter from a roll (like regular fabric).

    • Primed canvas is coated with a special primer, which improves the adhesion of paint to the fabric. If you don't want to purchase a pre-made primed canvas, you can purchase an unprimed canvas and a tube of Gesso primer. Before you start painting, coat the canvas with a layer of primer and let it dry.
    • In art and craft stores you can find ready-made canvases of various sizes, both on a stretcher and without it. Take a close look at your choices to find a canvas shape and size that best suits what you have in mind to paint.
  1. If you plan to paint with acrylic paints diluted in water, opt for thick watercolor paper. If you like the effect of painting with watercolors, but also like to use acrylic paints, try using thick watercolor paper that is suitable for painting with thinned acrylics. Watercolor paper will cost less than canvases on a stretcher, especially if you do not exclude the possibility that your first works will not be very successful and will go straight to the trash.

    • Thick watercolor paper can be found at office supply and craft stores.
    • Keep in mind that thin paper can ripple and become deformed from acrylic paints diluted with water.
  2. Select 8-10 colors of artistic acrylic paints. Unlike student acrylic paints, artist acrylic paints contain richer pigments and come in a wide variety of colors. If you are just starting to paint, 8-10 colors will be enough. Choose one tube of paint each in the base colors (blue, yellow, and red) and 5-7 additional colors that you like to paint with. For example, you can take the colors below:

    • black;
    • purple or pink;
    • brown;
    • green;
    • white.
  3. Buy 5-8 art brushes for painting in a variety of styles. If you paint with just one brush, it will be difficult to achieve the full variety of visual effects that can be created with acrylic paints. Therefore, buy several brushes of different styles at once. Below is a list of the most common types of acrylic brushes:

    • round brushes (for drawing lines and details);
    • flat brushes (for creating large bold strokes and painting large areas);
    • fan brushes (for mixing colors and blurring boundaries);
    • flat shortened brushes (for working closely with the canvas and creating clear, thick strokes);
    • flat beveled brushes (for painting corners and drawing small details).

    Basics of working with acrylic paints

    Squeeze only a small amount of acrylic paint onto the palette at a time. Even a small amount of paint goes a long way, so to get started, squeeze out a strip of paint only about 5mm long from the tube. Prepare in this way 4-6 colors of paints that you are going to work with. Distribute them at some distance from each other along the perimeter of the palette.

    • This will allow you to leave room for later mixing of paints and testing color combinations in the center of the palette.
  4. First, using large brushes, draw the outlines of the objects that you want to depict. When starting to paint with acrylic paints, use large flat brushes to draw the outlines of large objects onto the canvas. For example, if you are painting a mountain landscape, start by drawing the clear outlines of the mountain peaks.

    • You may find it more convenient to use matte, opaque colors to create outlines. Then, when you draw the details, you can work with more transparent colors.
  5. Use small brushes to paint details. Having finished working on the general contours of the drawing, pick up smaller brushes. Use them to add detail to the image. Try working with a variety of pointed brushes to create varying line widths and visual effects on your canvas.

    • For example, after creating the outlines of large mountain peaks, use a small, pointed brush to fill in the design with details such as isolated trees, a lake, and tourists on its shore.
  6. While working, spray the palette with water every 10-15 minutes. Acrylic paints dry quickly and become more difficult to work with. To keep your paints in optimal condition, mist them with water from a spray bottle to prevent them from drying out and hardening prematurely on your palette or canvas. Be aware that once dry, acrylic paint cannot be removed from the surface.

    • Keep a small spray bottle of water handy.
  7. Rinse your brush of old paint before moving on to a new color. To remove paint from a brush, hold the bristles under running tap water. Or simply rinse the brush in a glass of water. This will prevent different colors from mixing unnecessarily on the brush itself. After rinsing the brush in water, blot it with a clean napkin to prevent drips during further painting.

    • If you do not remove any remaining water from the brush handle, drops may accidentally fall onto the canvas and leave behind blots of soaked paint.
  8. Allow any leftover paint to dry before throwing it away. Do not wash your palette, as acrylic paint may clog drains. It is better to use a disposable plastic plate as a palette, and after work, wait for the remaining paint on it to dry. Then you can simply carefully remove the layer of completely dry paint from the plate.

    • Alternatively, you can not throw away the dried paint, and next time apply fresh wet paint directly over the old one.
  9. Various drawing techniques

    Mix different paints with a palette knife to create new color combinations. Artists rarely use acrylic paints in their original form straight from the tube. To get the color of paint you want, place two drops of paint of different colors in the center of the palette and mix them with a palette knife or brush. This will allow you to get new rich shades of color to give your painting a unique look.

  • It's a good idea to use a color wheel to mix colors as you work. For example, mixing red and yellow paint will give you a bright orange color. If you then add dark green paint there, you get a rich brown color.
  • Lighten the paint by adding water. If you use acrylic paint directly from the tube, it will be thick and opaque. To make the paint more transparent, place a drop of paint on the palette and add a little water. The more water you add, the more transparent the color will be. Use transparent tones to create a watercolor or airbrush effect.

    • When mixing acrylic paint from a tube with water, add no more than 20% water (of the volume of the paint itself). If you use more than 20% water, the binding agents in the paint that make it stick to the surface can break down and the paint will peel off the canvas when it dries.
  • Mix acrylic paints with varnish or texture pastes to change their texture. If you use acrylic paints exclusively as they come in tubes, your painting will have a soft, uniform texture. Mixing acrylic paints with various additives allows you to change their appearance on canvas. Therefore, try adding materials such as varnish or texture paste to the paints when dissolving. In general, thinning paint with other substances can give it a more transparent, watery appearance when it dries. Look for a variety of varnishes and texture pastes at an art supply store.

  • Layer 2 or 3 layers of paint of different colors on top of each other to create additional texture. Instead of mixing paints on a palette, layer them directly on the canvas for a unique layering effect. Apply as many layers of paint as you like, just remember that darker colors will cover lighter shades. For example, try painting a flower by layering red, pink, and blue paint to create petals.

    • Give each coat of paint enough time to dry before adding another coat. Thin layers will dry in 30 minutes, but thick layers may take over an hour to dry.
  • To create a bubbling effect, apply the paint with the corner of a sponge. Dip the corner of a sponge into the acrylic paint of your choice. Then gently press this corner onto the canvas. Also try smearing paint onto the canvas with a sponge for other visual effects. A layer of paint applied with the edge of a sponge will contain many holes, allowing the color of other paint or the canvas itself to show through.

    • For example, you can apply paint with a sponge when depicting bodies of water to give them a more realistic texture.
    • Combine this technique with layering paint to effectively combine several tones at once.
    • If you want to try painting with a variety of sponges, you can find sponges in a variety of textures at art supply stores.