Paint is expensive so it helps to squeeze out every last bit of it out of the tube. No matter how much you squeeze the tube with your fingers, you’ll never get it all of the paint out. Plus you might strain your hands in the process. How do you get the last bit of paint out of the tube? …
10 Acrylic Painting Tips for Beginners – Improve Your Painting!
In this post I give away all of my essential acrylic painting tips for beginners. It took me years to learn these things on my own but hopefully I can help you to speed up the learning curve. The fact that acrylics are virtually odorless and they clean up with regular soap and water makes makes them great for beginners. …
What’s the Difference Between Gouache and Acrylics?
Acrylics and gouache are water based paints that clean up with soap and water. While they can have similar appearances, they each have unique properties which make for completely different painting experiences. What is the difference between acrylics and gouache? Gouache paint is opaque watercolor then remains water soluble after it dries. You can use it on paper or illustration …
How to Sign a Painting – The Ultimate Guide With Examples
In this post, I explain why you should sign your paintings, and how to go about it. I include examples of signatures from famous artists, and give pointers for signing your name in various mediums. A signature that’s well done has many advantages. It can help others to identify your work, and find you online. Signatures are useful in combating …
The Complete Guide to Canvas Panels
If you’re new to canvas panels, you may have a number of questions about what they are and how to use them. In this post, I’m going to explain all of the various aspects of painting on canvas panels. What Is a Canvas Panel? Canvas panels are rigid boards with a layer of canvas glued to them, they’re a good …
How to Make Acrylics Thicker – Gels & DIY Solutions
You could buy another set of paints when you need thicker acrylic paint, but that’s expensive. A much more economical solution is to thicken the paints you already have. How do you make acrylics thicker? Select an acrylic gel that’s thicker than the paint you’re using and mix it into the paint. You can also use molding paste, or thickening …
Do You Need to Stretch Acrylic Paper?
If you’re new to acrylics, you may be wondering if you have to stretch acrylic paper before painting on it. Do you need to stretch acrylic paper? You don’t have to stretch the acrylic papers that I mention in this post. You can begin painting on them without any preparation because they’re extra thick and contain enough sizing to prevent …
How to Remove Dry Acrylic Paint From Brushes: NO Solvents!
I do my best to take care of my brushes, but I occasionally I forget to wash one out. Every artist eventually makes this mistake. When it happens to you, don’t throw the brush away because there’s an easy way to restore it. Acrylic paint is considered to be permanent when dry, however there’s a non toxic and odorless brush …
How to Make Acrylics Look Like Oils
Many artists want to use acrylics because they don’t require solvents. Making the switch to acrylics can be a challenge though, because they behave differently than oils. In this post, I give away my secrets to making acrylics look like oils. How do you make acrylics look like oils? The smooth blending that you can achieve with oils is the …
The Top 8 Uses for Acrylic Glazing Medium
There are numerous acrylic mediums on the market and it can be difficult to keep up with all of them. In this post, I explain the top 8 uses for acrylic glazing medium. It includes a glazing color chart, and I answer some of the common questions related to using glazing medium. Click the following link to download the free …