5 most common mistakes when painting with acrylics
Acrylics are an amazing medium. They're fast, versatile, and you don't need any smelly solvents. But their apparent simplicity is a trap. You sit down with a clear vision, and an hour later, you're staring at a muddy grey mess and your brushes are as hard as rocks.
Believe me, I've been there. (Well, maybe just a little – I'm a natural talent, :DD). To save you a few ruined canvases and a lot of nerves, I've put together the 5 most common mistakes that almost every beginner makes.
1. Saving Money in the Wrong Places ("Student" Grade Paints)
We've all done it. We bought that huge set of 24 colors for a few bucks at the supermarket. The problem is that cheap paints contain very little pigment and a lot of filler. In the end, you paint something huge and realize you just threw your money away and wasted your talent!
The Result: The colors don't cover well, they look dull, and sometimes they even peel off the canvas.
My Advice: Buy individual tubes based on what you actually want to paint. You'll end up saving money. You can just buy basic primary colors and mix everything from them (though that's a more advanced technique).
Tip: From my own experience, I recommend the brand Amsterdam. They have even a premium line.
2. The Race Against Time (When Acrylics Dry Too Fast)
Acrylics dry lightning-fast. It's their greatest strength and their greatest weakness. It's hard to create a smooth transition on the canvas – like a beautiful sunset, for example.
The Result: Sharp, ugly edges.
My Advice: Get a water spray bottle and lightly mist the canvas every now and then. But not too much, or the paint will run! Or try a "retarder," which gives you a few extra precious minutes. And when things get really intense, I hold one brush in my hand and another in my teeth and alternate as needed. :)
3. Mixing "Mud"
This is a classic. You want to mix purple, but you end up with something that looks like used motor oil. Why? Because you're mixing too many colors together or using shades that don't belong together (e.g., a warm yellow with a blue that has a hint of red in it).
The Result: The painting looks dirty.
My Advice: Mix a maximum of three colors at once. If you want clean colors, you need to learn a bit of color theory – it's boring in theory, but a miracle in practice. Go check out a Color Wheel.
4. Death of Brushes in Real-Time
Acrylic is basically liquid plastic. Once it dries on the brush, you'll never fully wash it out. Beginners often leave brushes lying on the table "dry" while they focus on a detail on the canvas.
The Result: You can throw the brush away after one afternoon. (Or soak it in thinner and then throw it away.)
My Advice: Always have a jar of water handy. If you're not using a brush, it should be in your hand or in the water. But be careful – once you're done, wash them and stand them upright, bristles up!
Tip: Even if your brush dries, it can sometimes be saved. Soap it up, scrub, soap up, scrub...
5. Fear of Layering
Many beginners try to paint a whole picture in one layer, like it's a coloring book. The result then looks flat and lifeless.
The Result: The painting lacks depth and dynamics.
My Advice: Don't be afraid! Acrylics love layers. Paint a base, let it dry, and then layer more colors on top. And if you're impatient, you can use a hair dryer! :)