Acrylic paint looks very much like oil paint, but dries much more quickly.
Acrylic paint is a water-based medium that looks very much like oil paint. The biggest difference between acrylic and oil, however, is that acrylic paint dries very quickly. This one particular aspect of acrylic paint dictates the way that you will interact with the medium in every way. It changes the style with which you paint, the habits you develop during the painting process, and the way in which you handle the medium.
Instructions
1. Set up your canvas on an easel in a well-lit work area. Place a tarp on the floor under your easel. It is important to protect the floor and walls because drops of acrylic paint will dry within minutes. If you are painting from a photograph or sketches, tape those to the easel so that they will be clearly visible as you paint. Open your tubes of paint and squeeze out a small amount of the colors of paint you plan to use. Keep in mind as you do this that the paint will dry very fast and whatever you don't use in the next half hour will likely be wasted, as it will dry out. Once dry, acrylic cannot be re-hydrated.
2. Draw the outline of your painting on the canvas lightly and simply, and without details.
3. Dip a medium-sized paintbrush in your jar of water to wet the bristles. Quickly paint a thin layer on the canvas. The first colors you apply to the canvas should be the base color of the figures on the canvas, minus shadows and highlights. This layer will dry quite fast, but you'll be able to cover up this layer with subsequent layers of paint. This is why you need not be precise -- this first layer is simply meant to get the painting started. Do not worry about details at this stage. When you switch colors, dip the paintbrush in the water and wash the old color from the bristles.
4. Apply a thicker application of paint on the canvas. To begin painting details, switch to a smaller paintbrush as needed.
5. Build up layers of paint on the canvas and add smaller details. Blend your base colors with colors like yellow and white to create highlights, and dark colors like brown and blue to create shadows. Apply the highlight and shadow paints to the canvas and try to blend with the base colors. You may need to thin your paint with water before painting it onto the canvas.
6. Set your painting aside when it is finished. Lean the canvas against a wall or allow it to dry flat on the floor. Wash your paintbrushes in soap and water. Don't allow the brushes to dry until the water running off the bristles is clear -- and even then, you may want to soap them up a few times more to be sure. Once acrylic paint has dried on your brushes they are likely ruined.
