Acrylic Painting Basics: Everything You Need to Get Started

Have you ever sat in front of a blank canvas, wanting to paint something amazing—but not knowing where to start? It can feel pretty frustrating, especially when you see other people making beautiful art so easily. You might think you need fancy tools or years of practice to be a “real” painter.

But here’s the truth: 

“Acrylic painting is not just a medium, it’s a mindset—bold, fearless, and free.”

Acrylic painting style is one of the easiest and most exciting ways to start creating art. It dries fast, it’s super forgiving, and you don’t need a bunch of expensive stuff to begin. Whether you want to paint colorful landscapes, cool abstract designs, or just explore your creativity, acrylics let you do it all. Let’s break it down and help you get started—one brushstroke at a time.

Key Takeaways

• Acrylic painting is great for beginners.

• It dries fast, so you can paint quickly.

• You can paint on many surfaces like canvas, paper, or wood.

• Learn simple techniques like blending, dry brushing, and layering.

• Use color theory and good composition to improve your art.

• Acrylics help you fix mistakes easily.

• Modern artists use acrylics in many creative ways.

What is Acrylic Painting?

Acrylic painting is a style of art that uses acrylic paint—a fast-drying, water-based paint made from pigment mixed with acrylic polymer. It was first developed in the mid-20th century as a new alternative to traditional paints like oil and watercolor. Artists quickly noticed how flexible and easy it was to use, which made it popular all over the world.

Unlike oil paint, which takes days or even weeks to dry, acrylic paint dries in minutes. That means artists can work faster, add layers quickly, and make changes without waiting forever. It’s also less messy than oil and doesn’t have a strong smell. Compared to watercolor, acrylic is bolder and more opaque, giving artists stronger colors and more control.

Because of all this, acrylic painting has become a favorite for modern artists—from beginners to professionals. It works on tons of surfaces like canvas, wood, paper, or even walls. Whether you're creating detailed portraits or big, bold abstracts, acrylics give you the freedom to explore your style without limits.

Why Choose Acrylic Painting Over Other Mediums?

Acrylic painting stands out because it’s simple to use, flexible, and works well for all kinds of art styles. Here’s a closer look at what makes it such a popular choice.

• Fast drying

Acrylic paint dries quickly, often in just 10 to 20 minutes. This is great for beginners who want quick results and for artists who like to work in layers without waiting hours in between. It also helps prevent smudging and lets you keep momentum while creating.

• Easy layering

Because it dries fast and is opaque, you can easily paint over mistakes or build up complex images with multiple layers. Whether you're adding highlights, shadows, or texture, layering is simple and smooth with acrylics.

• Affordable and accessible materials

Compared to oil paints or specialty watercolors, acrylic supplies are generally cheaper. You can find beginner-friendly paint sets, brushes, and canvases at local stores, online, or even in school supply aisles.

• Works on various surfaces

Acrylic paint isn’t limited to just canvas. It sticks well to paper, cardboard, wood, fabric, glass, plastic, and even walls. This makes it perfect for crafts, DIY projects, or large-scale artwork.

• Minimal toxic fumes

Unlike oil paint, which uses strong-smelling and sometimes toxic solvents like turpentine, acrylic paint is water-based and has very little odor. It's much safer for home use, especially in small rooms or around kids and pets.

• Easy cleanup

Since acrylic is water-based, you can clean your brushes and tools with just soap and water—no need for chemicals or special cleaners.

• Versatile painting style

You can use acrylics to mimic the look of oil paint, watercolor, or even thick, textured styles like impasto. With the right techniques and mediums, it’s one of the most flexible types of paint.
 

All of these features make acrylic painting a stress-free, fun, and creative way to start your art journey—or to explore new ideas if you're already experienced.

4 Essential Acrylic Painting Supplies for Beginners

Getting started with acrylic painting doesn’t mean you need a studio full of tools. A few basic supplies are all it takes to begin exploring your creativity. Here’s what you’ll need.

1. Types of Acrylic Paint 

There are two main types: student grade and artist grade. Student-grade paints are more affordable and great for beginners. They have less pigment but are perfect for practice.
Artist-grade paints are higher quality, with richer colors and better coverage. Once you’re more comfortable, you might want to upgrade.

2. Brushes

Brushes come in many shapes and sizes, and each one creates a different effect.

• Flat brushes are good for bold strokes and filling in large areas.
• Round brushes are great for detail and curved lines.
• Filbert brushes have rounded edges that give a softer, blended look.
  Start with a small variety so you can experiment and find what works best for your style.

3. Surfaces 

Acrylic paint is super flexible and can be used on all kinds of surfaces.

• Canvas is the most popular and holds paint well.
• Acrylic or watercolor paper is budget-friendly and great for practice.
• Wood panels or cardboard are fun for craft projects and different textures.
  Choose a surface that suits your project and budget.

4. Palettes, Water Containers, and Mediums

• Palette – You’ll need a surface to mix your paints. A plastic or reusable palette works great, but even a paper plate can do the trick.
• Water container – For cleaning brushes and thinning paint. A simple jar or cup is all you need.
• Mediums – These are optional, but they can help you change how the paint behaves. For example, a slow-dry medium keeps paint wet longer, while a texture gel adds thickness for bold brushstrokes.

With just these basic tools, you’ll have everything you need to start your acrylic painting journey. Keep it simple at first—what matters most is that you start painting and enjoy the process.

5 Basic Techniques to Get You Started

Acrylic painting offers tons of flexibility, and learning a few basic techniques can really level up your artwork. Here are some beginner-friendly methods to try, along with simple examples to help you practice.

1. Blending and Glazing

Blending is when you mix two or more colors smoothly on the canvas to create soft transitions—perfect for skies, skin tones, or shadows. Try blending blue and white to paint a gradient sky.

Glazing is layering thin, transparent paint over dry layers to change the color without covering the details underneath. For example, adding a thin red glaze over yellow makes a warm orange glow.

2. Dry Brushing

Dry brushing uses very little paint on a dry brush to create scratchy, textured strokes. This technique is great for painting grass, wood grain, or rough surfaces. Just dip the brush lightly in paint, dab off the extra, and lightly drag it across the surface.

3. Impasto

Impasto is all about thick, textured paint. You can use a palette knife or a stiff brush to apply heavy layers, creating bold strokes that stand out from the surface. This technique adds drama and movement, and works well for painting flowers, waves, or abstract textures.

4. Layering and Scumbling

Layering means building up paint in stages. You let each layer dry before adding the next one, which helps you create depth and fix mistakes easily. Scumbling is similar, but uses a dry brush and light pressure to add a rough, patchy layer of color. It's great for fog, clouds, or aged textures.

5. Using Mediums for Texture and Flow

Acrylic mediums are special liquids or gels that you mix with paint to change how it behaves. For example, 

• Flow medium makes paint smoother and easier to spread—great for blending.
• Modeling paste or texture gel adds thickness for 3D effects like rocks or tree bark.

These techniques are easy to try and can totally change how your paintings look and feel. Experiment with one or two at a time, and you’ll start to discover your own favorite style.

5 Tips to Elevate Your Acrylic Painting Style

Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to take your painting to the next level. These tips will help you grow as an artist, build confidence in your choices, and start developing your unique style.

Color Theory Basics

Understanding color theory helps you mix better colors and create more powerful paintings. Learn how the color wheel works—primary, secondary, and complementary colors. For example, mixing blue and yellow gives you green, while putting blue next to orange makes both colors pop. Try using warm colors (reds, oranges) to add energy, and cool colors (blues, purples) to create calm or distance.

Composition and Balance

Composition is how you arrange things in your painting. A well-balanced layout helps guide the viewer’s eye and keeps your piece from feeling messy or empty. Use the rule of thirds—imagine your canvas divided into a grid, and place important elements where the lines meet. Try to create a good mix of large and small shapes, light and dark areas, and avoid putting everything in the center.

Developing a Signature Style

Your style is what makes your art yours. Don’t worry if it doesn’t come right away—it develops over time as you explore what you enjoy painting and how you like to paint it. Try different subjects (portraits, landscapes, abstract), experiment with color choices, and notice what techniques feel the most “you.” Over time, your preferences will naturally shape your artistic voice.

Keeping Acrylics Workable Longer

Acrylics dry fast, which can be tricky while you’re still mixing or blending. To keep them workable longer,

• Mist your palette with water every few minutes.
• Use a stay-wet palette or keep paints in an airtight container.
• Add a retarder medium to slow the drying time without affecting color.

How to Fix Mistakes

Mistakes happen—and with acrylics, they’re easy to fix. If the paint is still wet, just wipe it off with a damp cloth. If it’s dry, paint over it once the layer has fully set. Because acrylics are opaque, you can easily cover areas and try again without damaging your whole painting.

With these tips, you’ll be able to paint more confidently, explore your creativity, and start building a style that feels true to you.

4 Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Every beginner faces a few hurdles when learning acrylic painting. Here are some common issues and simple ways to fix them:

1. Paint drying too fast

Acrylics dry quickly, which can be frustrating when you're still blending. To slow things down, mist your palette with water, use a stay-wet palette, or mix in a retarder medium to extend drying time.

2. Muddy colors

Colors turn muddy when too many are mixed together or applied while still wet. To avoid this, let layers dry completely, mix only a few colors at a time, and always clean your brush before switching shades.

3. Brush care 

Brushes can get damaged if paint dries on them or they sit too long in water. Rinse brushes regularly as you paint, clean them with soap and water when you're done, and dry them flat or upright to keep their shape.

4. Canvas warping 

Thin paper or canvas sheets might curl as they dry. Use thick acrylic paper, tape down the edges before starting, and let the painting dry flat. You can also press it under a heavy book once it’s fully dry.
 

These quick fixes will help you get past common mistakes and enjoy your painting time with fewer frustrations.

Acrylic Painting Inspiration from Contemporary Artists

One of the best ways to grow as an artist is to look at what others are creating—and acrylic painters today are doing some incredible things. From lifelike portraits to bold, messy abstracts, acrylics can be pushed in almost any direction. Here are a few modern artists who show just how diverse this medium can be. 

• Alyssa Monks

Alyssa is known for her hyperrealistic portraits, especially of people behind foggy glass or in water. She uses acrylics to create layers of depth and detail that make her work feel almost like photographs.

• Kerri Rosenthal

A designer and painter known for bright, playful acrylic works full of color and energy. Her style mixes abstract expressionism with a fun, uplifting vibe—proof that acrylics don’t have to be serious to make an impact.

• Osnat Tzadok

A self-taught abstract artist who uses acrylics to create large-scale, textured pieces. Her bold color choices and flowing brushstrokes give her work a modern, emotional feel that connects with viewers instantly.

• Chuck Close

While better known for his massive portraits made of tiny, colorful squares, many of his works were done using acrylics. His technique shows how controlled and precise this medium can be, even on a giant scale.
 

These artists all use acrylic paint differently—some focus on realism, others on color and feeling—but they each show what’s possible when you make the medium your own. Whether you’re into fine detail or wild textures, acrylics give you the freedom to explore your personal style.

Conclusion

Acrylic painting is more than just a beginner-friendly medium—it’s a creative playground. Whether you're blending smooth skies, building up textured layers, or experimenting with bold colors, acrylics give you the freedom to explore and grow. They're fast, forgiving, and flexible—perfect for artists who want to learn, play, and develop their own style.

As artist Robert Burridge said, 

"Acrylics force you to be decisive. They dry quickly, so you learn to commit, or adapt rapidly. It sharpens your brushwork and decision-making."

So grab a brush, squeeze out some color, and don’t be afraid to make bold moves. The best way to improve is to start painting—and acrylics are ready when you are.