Discover all the things you need to know about acrylic painting

Where can I buy acrylic paints? 

Acrylic paint and equipment is readily available from your local art shop, which still needs your support, or online where there are many art suppliers. Acrylic paint is very economical and comes in a variety of tube sizes up to 200ml or large pots, and either as pre-chosen sets or as individual tubes, to build up your own range of colours. Find out more about the different types of acrylic paints in our guide.

What surfaces can I paint on? 

You can paint on pretty much anything, including paper, cardboard, plastic, pre-primed stretched canvas, canvas boards and wooden panels. Plywood is also good. You can even create your own surface from handmade paper. Some surfaces, especially untreated wood or other porous surfaces, need several coats of gesso primer or a clear matt medium to prevent the colour from soaking in. Gesso can also be mixed with acrylic paint to give a coloured ground or sand to add texture. Make sure you visit our guide to acrylic painting surfaces for even more information.

If you're new to acrylics, don't stop here! Explore our other beginner-friendly guides to learn all you need to progress and develop your acrylic skills.

Can I stop acrylic paint drying too fast when working? 

For many who have been used to oils, the faster drying times are an advantage, however this can be an issue if your paint is drying too quickly when working. To stop this happening, you can mix your acrylic paints with either a flow improver or a slow-drying medium, which can be mixed with water.

Slow-drying medium mixed to a ratio of 1:1 doubles the working and drying time. Flow improver mixed with water at a ratio of up to 10 per cent increases the flow and transparency of the colour, and slows drying whilst maintaining stability. Flow improver also helps you blend colours.

Adding texture paste to your colours also increases the working time. It’s a good idea to put small amounts of colour out at a time. Some companies also make heavy-bodied acrylics, which are ideal for impasto work.

You can use a stay-wet palette, which can either be bought ready-made and comprises a plastic tray and lid with an absorbent base sheet soaked in water and a top membrane. The colours stay workable for longer and, with the lid on the paint, will stay active for several days. Alternatively, you can make your own with an airtight box, a piece of absorbent paper and tracing paper for the membrane.

What type of brushes should I use for acrylic paint? 

A firm, springy brush is best and most are now synthetic made of either nylon or polyester, as they need to be quite hard wearing. These are available in a range of shapes and sizes. Hog hair brushes are useful and can also be used for oils. Natural hair brushes are unsuitable for acrylic so keep your sable brushes for watercolour. You can even use home decorating brushes for larger works and rollers either from art shops or your local DIY store. Make sure you read our comprehensive guide on arcylic paint brushes and how best to care for them.

Top tip: An important point to remember is to wash your brushes regularly and not let the paint dry on them.

Is acrylic paint permanent when dry? 

When dry acrylic paint is permanent and waterproof, and it can’t be reactivated either on the painting or on the palette, this means that it can’t be lifted out as you can with watercolour. A benefit of this, however, is that you can add several layers without disturbing the layer beneath, which is useful for adding highlights or adding bright colours on top of darks for contrast. Acrylic is also flexible when dry and will not crack even with impasto layers. As acrylic is waterproof and lightfast it can also be used outside on murals. It’s a good idea to use a treated wood, such as marine plywood, and protect the painting with a good varnish. Acrylic paint is one of the most stable for colourfastness, but it’s a good idea to avoid direct sunlight.

How large can I paint with acrylics? 

As you don’t have to worry about framing acrylic paintings you can paint at any size, as you aren’t concerned with size of glass or mounting board. You can even paint directly onto a wall.

Do you need to varnish acrylic paintings? 

This is purely personal preference, as varnish does protect the surface and can enhance the colours. Unlike oil, where you have to wait up to 12 months for a final varnish, acrylics can be varnished straightaway. Varnish can be gloss or matt, permanent or removable. Winsor & Newton and Liquitex both do good ranges. We also have a guide on how to frame your acrylic masterpiece.

Can I paint over acrylic? 

Yes, acrylic paintings can be enhanced with pastel for highlights if painted on paper. The final image would need to be framed and glazed to protect the pastel. Acrylic is also used as a fast-drying underpainting for oil. If a painting goes wrong you can also re-gesso over the surface and try again.

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