Beginners Guide on Acrylic Painting – How to Set Out Your Equipment

[Nomad]

Beginners Guide on Acrylic Painting – How to Set Out Your Equipment for Easy Acrylic Painting
by: Catherine Calder

OK you have all the things you need to begin acrylic painting, right? You have acrylic paints, brushes, painting surface, palette, and a container of water. Well, by taking a minute to set out your acrylic painting materials in an organized manner you will enjoy your painting session even more.

Ideally when you begin acrylic painting you will have a work space that is level and in a good light. Artificial light can make the colors look different when compared to natural light. It is a good idea to get full spectrum light bulbs from an art store if you have to paint in artificial light. This is a worthwhile investment.

Layout you palette, paints, brushes and water to the right hand side if you are right handed – or left if you are left handed. It is handy to have some paper towels too.

Acrylic Painting Tip

Try to get into the habit of placing the paints in the same position on the palette every time you paint. This will save you time – you wouldn’t be searching for a color if you always put it in the same position.

I like to group colors, like having all the blues together. It is most important to always put the white in the same place.

Tips on Placing Your Painting Materials

I position the palette next to me – I am right handed so it is to the right. Then the tubes of acrylic paint to the rear of the palette. I use a reservoir palette that has a space for the brushes, but if I didn’t I would have the reservoir for the brushes to the right of the palette.

I store the dry, clean brushes I’m not using in a jam jar – with the brush handle ends down so that the tips do not get bent out of shape. This is to the far right of all the other equipment.

I place the water container(s) to the rear of the painting area but within easy reach. The paper towel is there too.

Be sure to cover the work surface as any acrylic paint that dries on it will be difficult or impossible to remove.

And my Top Tip is to put any drink on the opposite side - away from the palette and paint. Otherwise you will end up cleaning your brush in your drink – and believe me it won’t add to the flavor!

About The Author


Catherine Calder is the author of The Acrylic Painting Course. The beginners guide on acrylic painting with step-by-step painting instructions and a free preview to completing your first painting.

Visit http://www.learnanddo.com/acrylic.asp to find out more.

ads@learnanddo.com

[ppetersen]

And those tips can work well with either oil painting or watercolor painting...

Tip: ALWAYS place any drinks far away... I've done the same too... I think every fine artist has :) LOL....

Also with pencils (colored) I have two boxes set up with earthy tones, and general colors all colored by shade..... blues, greens etc... It's easier for me to grab the color I need ...

[Snow_Angel]

Great article Nomad. I paint with oils..can you use the same brushes with Acrylics?

[ppetersen]

:) I can answer that one !!! LOL

I just got my new art supply catalogue and have been looking through it tonight...

There are several brands that do specify only one type of medium to use the brush for, but ... most say for Oils, acrylic, casseins, and alkyds.

I know that my watercolor brushes have to be seperate as the hairs are finer, to allow for a smoother flow.

With oils and acrylics your paint is usually thicker so a harder bristle works, of course you can use softer bristles for a different effect.

I have used oils, acrylics and watercolor. My preferece ... watercolor. The smell of the products that must be used with oils and acrylics get to me now... :)

[Snow_Angel]

Thank you Pat! I think I could use them then. Maybe would have to get some new brushes too. I started out with oils because someone gave me a gift of a series of lessons for oil painting, but I always liked water colors myself. Just have never gotten around to it yet. I think acrylics are easier and brighter in color. I like experimenting with different mediums. Thanks again for your help! :)

[AnnaKirsten]

Patt, in the days when I was able to do oils and acryllics, I did find that I had to watch out for any residue of actual oil on the brushes when trying to use the same ones for acryllics. The other thing I found was the other way round.. Acryllics tended to give the bristles rather a rough edge after a while, and this was certainly not suitable for finer oil-painting. Water-colour brushes are made very specifically for just that and as Pat said, are much finer and actually more vulnerable to the chemicals in other media.

I honestly do feel it's best to have separate brushes for each media - they are all special to that particular kind of work you're doing too, if you know what I mean!

[wile1]

Welll.... copy and pasting articles that we could easily go to the site through a link and read ourselves seems a bit of wasted space to me. But.. as to the acrylic brushes and pallette. I just do it my way when I've worked with it. Saves a lot of hassle and besides My way works for me.

[Snow_Angel]

Thanks Nicky! I will take this into consideration. I do know about watercolor brushes having to be different also! :)