12 Common Mistakes Acrylic Painters Make and How to Fix Them
Even seasoned acrylic painters make mistakes! Fortunately, many common issues in acrylic painting are easily avoided once you know what to watch for. Here’s a rundown of 12 common mistakes and how to fix them, so you can keep your paintings vibrant, expressive, and balanced.
1. Overworking the Paint
Mistake: Going over the same area repeatedly can cause acrylics to turn muddy and lose their vibrancy, especially since acrylics dry quickly.
Fix: Let each layer dry completely before adding new layers. Be deliberate with each brushstroke and avoid blending too much on the canvas to preserve the vibrancy of each layer.
2. Using Too Much Water
Mistake: Diluting acrylic paint with too much water breaks down the binder, resulting in streaky, transparent layers.
Fix: Use gel or glazing mediums instead of water to thin your paint. If you do use water, apply it sparingly, particularly in the initial layers to maintain the integrity of the paint.
3. Ignoring Value in Favour of Colour
Mistake: Focusing solely on colour without considering value (lightness and darkness) can leave your painting looking flat or unbalanced.
Fix: Squint at your subject to see its values more clearly, or use a grayscale reference. Make sure your painting has a full range of values to create depth and balance.
4. Forgetting That Acrylics Dry Darker
Mistake: Acrylics often dry a shade or two darker, which can make colours look off once dry.
Fix: Mix your colours a bit lighter than intended and test a small patch on your canvas before applying it to larger areas.
5. Skipping a Ground or Toning the Canvas
Mistake: Jumping straight into the painting without laying down a ground can make it harder to create depth and atmosphere.
Fix: Tone your surface with a coloured ground to unify your painting and provide a base that peeks through the layers. A ground not only makes it easier to cover stark white but also subtly enhances the depth and warmth of your final piece.
6. Choosing the Wrong Brush for the Technique
Mistake: Using the wrong brush can lead to strokes or textures that don’t match your intent.
Fix: Choose your brush purposefully. Large flat brushes are ideal for blocking shapes, while small round brushes work for details. Test each brush to understand its effects and make selections that enhance your technique.
7. Painting Too Thinly for Desired Opacity
Mistake: Using thin layers when you want rich, opaque coverage can lead to dullness or patchiness.
Fix: For opacity, apply paint with little to no added water or use an opaque medium. Build up the colour in layers, allowing each to dry before adding the next, until you reach your desired intensity.
8. Not Using a Palette Knife for Mixing
Mistake: Mixing paint with your brush can overload the brush and lead to wasted paint or messy colours.
Fix: Use a palette knife to mix colours on your palette. It’s easier to control, prevents paint from building up in the brush, and keeps your colours clean. Plus, you can use the knife for bold, textured strokes directly on the canvas.
9. Neglecting Colour Temperature
Mistake: Overlooking warm and cool variations in your colours can result in an unbalanced painting.
Fix: Be mindful of temperature shifts—cool colours in shadows and warm colours in light areas can add depth and realism. When mixing, keep temperature in mind to maintain harmony and create depth.
10. Using Excessive Detail Early On
Mistake: Trying to include too many details too soon can make your painting look cramped and overworked.
Fix: Begin with broader shapes and values. Save details for the later stages once the foundation is solid. This approach keeps your painting open and loose, letting you focus on expressive details at the end.
11. Over-Mixing on the Canvas
Mistake: Over-mixing colours directly on the canvas can create muddy results.
Fix: Mix colours on your palette first, then apply them in distinct strokes, allowing some colours to layer or blend naturally without excessive mixing. This approach keeps colours clean and vibrant.
12. Not Allowing for Dry Time Between Layers
Mistake: Painting over wet layers can result in unwanted blending and lost detail.
Fix: Let each layer dry before moving on to the next, especially when adding highlights or details. A quick dry layer prevents colours from blending unintentionally and keeps each layer crisp.
Final Thoughts
Acrylic painting is all about finding the balance between control and spontaneity. By avoiding these common mistakes and embracing the right techniques, you can enhance the vibrancy, depth, and overall impact of your artwork. Remember, every stroke is a step forward in your creative journey, and sometimes a “mistake” can be a fantastic learning opportunity.
Until next time, Keep splashing colours!
Penny 😊🎨✨
