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How to Paint with Depth – Creating Dimension in Still Life

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Still-life paintings might look simple at first glance—a bowl of fruit here, a vase of flowers there—but don’t be fooled. Mastering still life requires a strong understanding of light, shadow, and form. And at the heart of it all? Depth. One of the most important skills in acrylic painting is learning how to create the illusion of three-dimensional depth on a two-dimensional surface. Bowl of Roses, Henri Fantin-Latour 1889 Depth is what breathes life into your canvas. It transforms an arrangement of objects into a scene that feels tangible and real. When a viewer looks at your painting and instinctively reaches out to touch the soft fuzz of a peach or the cool rim of a ceramic bowl—you’ve succeeded. You’ve created dimensionality. But how do you actually do that with paint? Let’s walk through the process using the four core building blocks of depth: value, color, composition, and brush technique . Setting Up a Still Life for Success Before you pick up your brush, how you set up your sc...
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Exploring Acrylic Mediums – What They Do and How to Use Them

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Acrylic paint is already one of the most versatile mediums out there—but when you add acrylic mediums to the mix, the possibilities expand even further. Whether you're aiming for thick, textured brushwork or silky glazes, acrylic mediums give you full control over the consistency, finish, and behavior of your paint. In this post, we’ll explore the most common types of acrylic mediums, what they do, and how to use them to elevate your painting. What Is an Acrylic Medium? An acrylic medium is an additive mixed with acrylic paint to modify its properties without compromising the pigment. Mediums can: Change texture (thicker or thinner) Adjust sheen (matte, satin, or gloss) Extend drying time Improve flow for fine detail Allow for techniques like glazing, impasto, and collage Acrylic mediums are typically clear or white but dry transparent (unless otherwise noted), and they mix easily with any brand of acrylic paint. Why Use Mediums? Usin...
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Palette Knives – Texture and Techniques for Acrylic Artists

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 When most people think of painting, they think of brushes. But if you're only using brushes, you're missing out on one of the most exciting and expressive tools in your acrylic painting toolkit: the palette knife . Palette knives are not just for mixing paint—they can be used to build texture, create bold strokes, and give your paintings a dimensional, sculptural quality. Whether you want to add subtle peaks of paint or create entire landscapes with a knife, this post will teach you how to use palette knives effectively in your acrylic painting practice. What Is a Palette Knife? A palette knife is a flexible, flat tool used for mixing or applying paint. It has a blunt edge and comes in various shapes and sizes—some with rounded tips, others angular or pointed. Unlike brushes, palette knives don’t absorb paint, allowing you to work with thick, bold layers and create dynamic textures. There are two main types: Palette Knives : Designed for mixing paint on yo...
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Acrylic Brush Guide: Understanding Brush Types and Strokes

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Let’s Talk Brushes: Your Guide to the Right Tools for Acrylic Painting If you’ve ever stood in the art aisle staring at a wall of brushes thinking, “Why are there so many shapes?!” —you’re not alone. Choosing the right brush can feel like a mystery at first, but once you understand how each one behaves, it’s like unlocking a secret weapon for your painting style. So, let’s walk through this together—brush by brush. First, What’s a Brush Made Of? Before we get into shapes and sizes, let’s peek at what’s actually in your hand when you pick up a brush: Handle – Usually wood or acrylic, and either short or long. Long handles are great for standing and painting with broad strokes; short ones give you more control when working up close. Ferrule – That metal bit that holds the bristles in place. Bristles (or filaments) – These can be natural or synthetic. For acrylic painting, synthetic is the way to go—they're tougher and clean up way easier. The Brush Breakdown: Shapes ...
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Mixing Beautiful Color Variations With Just Five Paints

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  How to Mix Beautiful Color Variations with Just 5 Paints Creating stunning, harmonious color palettes doesn't require an entire art store's worth of paint. With just five key tubes—red, yellow, blue, white, and black—you can produce a full spectrum of colors for your acrylic paintings. This post dives deep into how to mix color variations, develop subtle tints and shades, and build a practice that improves your eye for color relationships. Your Core Palette Start with these five essential paints: Cadmium Red Medium (or Pyrrole Red) Hansa Yellow Medium (or Cadmium Yellow) Ultramarine Blue (or Phthalo Blue for a cooler alternative) Titanium White Mars Black (or Ivory Black) These colors offer balance across temperature and value, giving you a great foundation for mixing. Mixing Secondary Colors By combining your primaries, you can create all secondary colors: Red + Yellow = Orange Yellow + Blue = Green Blue ...
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How to Properly Gesso Your Paper for Acrylic Painting

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 If you're painting with acrylics on paper, one of the most essential steps is priming your surface with gesso. Gesso acts as a barrier between the paint and the paper, preventing the paint from seeping in and causing warping or tearing. Properly applied gesso ensures that your colors remain vibrant, your brushstrokes smooth, and your artwork long-lasting. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about gessoing paper for acrylic painting. What Is Gesso and Why Use It? Gesso is a white paint-like primer made from chalk, gypsum, pigment, and binder. It prepares your surface for paint by creating a slightly textured, absorbent ground. Without gesso, paper can absorb too much moisture from acrylic paint, leading to buckling and an uneven surface. Benefits of Gesso: Prevents Warping : Especially important on thinner papers. Creates Texture : Adds grip to help paint adhere better. Saves Paint : Reduces absorption so paint sits on top of th...
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Choosing The Right Substrate: Paper VS. Canvas

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 When you're starting with acrylic painting, one of the first and most important choices you'll face is selecting the right surface to paint on. The substrate you choose can affect your painting technique, the final appearance of your work, and even how long your painting lasts. Two of the most popular substrates are paper and canvas. In this post, we'll walk through their differences, when to use each, and how to prepare them properly. Understanding the Basics: What Is a Substrate? A "substrate" in painting refers to the surface on which you apply your paint. For acrylic artists, common substrates include: Watercolor paper Stretched canvas Canvas boards Wood panels While you can paint on almost anything with acrylics, paper and canvas remain the most popular for their accessibility and versatility. Watercolor Paper: A Budget-Friendly Favorite Watercolor paper is a fantastic choice for beginners and even for experienced art...
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