Acrylic paints

[DiamondsRaGirlsBestfriend]

I fancy doing some painting with acrylics but haven't done anything like this before (think doing lots of painting with DD has made me want to do some 'arty things' as opposed to my usual sewing/knitting stuff) Anyone got any tips re techniques etc. There were no good books at the library so I thought as usual MN would know best! Any tips gratefully received

Acrylics are great and in many ways the easiest medium to paint with - one mistake with watercolours and your buggered and oils take a long time to dry and can be a bit smelly if you don't have a separate room.

If you get a starter pack you should have enough colours to begin with. Paynes Grey is usually considered better than black because it blends better for more subtly. Raw umber is also good for taking bright colours down. Burnt sienna mixed with white makes a great basic skin colour. Cheaper brands tend to be more watery but mix and match with more expensive brands with no problems. i tend to buy bigger cheaper white and grey.

They dry quickly both on paper and in the pot so if you need a lot of a certain mixed colour you'll have to make it up in one go. Clingfilm over the palette can help to stop it drying out. You can paint over the top of any mistakes which is great. Use a hairdryer if you want to speed the process up.

Watered down they are more or less like watercolours and you can do washes with them. They can also be applied thickly and dry almost to a 'plastic' (well - they are acrylic). Sometimes i then scratch into then using the pointy end of the brush for more texture.

Don't need varnishing unless used on furniture etc. They are good for doing murals with too.

You can buy specific acrylic brushes and paper - watercolour paper tend to work just as well too. i don't paint on canvas so i don't know how they apply to that.

That's all i cna think of for now....
Enjoy

Oh and it doesn't come out of clothes! so you'll need a smock / oversized shirt...

Ooh and you can 'drybrush' very well with them too just a minimal amount on a very dry paintbrush - lovely for smudgy edges. (can you tell i love me my Acrylics)

Agreeing with above poster, just adding that acrylics can be mixed with any other water-based paints, inc. the house decorating type and although problematic on clothes, hands and brushes etc clean best with warm water and soap/wash-up liquid. Enjoy!

They really, really don't come out of clothes.

Believe me I've tried, DD still has interesting coloured school jumpers!

OOOh thank you will def have to crack some open - thanks for the tips

It's worth checking charity shops for books on the subject, never expensive and usually interesting.