2025 Winter Acrylic Painting Challenge, Lesson 5: Building Up Color and Contrast

/ Uncategorized
/ By Matt Philleo

Master the art of acrylic glazing to enhance depth and realism in your paintings

Welcome to Lesson 5 of the 2025 Winter Acrylic Painting Challenge! In this session, you will refine your acrylic painting skills by learning to build up color and contrast. This technique not only adds vibrancy but also brings your portrait to life with depth and realism. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced artist, this step-by-step guide will help you achieve stunning results.

Why Focus on Building Up Color and Contrast?

Building up color and contrast is essential for creating dynamic and realistic portraits. By layering glazes, you can achieve smooth transitions, enhance the richness of tones, and bring attention to key elements of your artwork. This method also allows for subtle adjustments and corrections as you progress.

Materials You’ll Need

Acrylic Paints: Raw Umber Dark, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, Phthalo Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Alizarine Crimson, Titanium White, Organic Orange, Indian Yellow.
Brushes: 1″ Flat, 3/4″ Flat, Size 5 or 6 Round, 3/8″ Angled Flat.
Palette: Covered with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
Matte Medium: For mixing glazes.
White Card: To test glaze colors.
Spray Bottle: To keep your palette moist.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building Up Color and Contrast

1. Prepare Your Palette and Brushes

Start with a fresh piece of aluminum foil on your palette. Arrange your paints for easy access. Spray the palette lightly to keep the paints moist throughout the session.

2. Mixing Your First Glaze

Combine raw umber dark and burnt sienna with matte medium to create a semi-transparent glaze. Adjust the tone by adding organic orange and raw sienna for a warmer, richer hue. Test your glaze on a white card to ensure it has the desired transparency and tone.

3. Apply the Base Glaze

Using a 1″ flat brush, apply the glaze in broad, even strokes. Start from the background and work towards the foreground, ensuring smooth transitions. Use diagonal strokes to create movement and avoid harsh lines.

4. Enhance the Subject with Color Harmony

To maintain color harmony, apply the glaze across various parts of the painting. For areas requiring differentiation, adjust the glaze with slight color variations, such as adding more organic orange for vibrancy.

5. Add Detail and Depth

Switch to smaller brushes for intricate areas, like facial features or objects. Feather the glaze into specific zones to highlight contrast and bring out dimensionality. Remember to let each layer dry completely before adding the next.

6. Refine and Smooth

If streaks appear, remove excess glaze from your brush or blend it out across the canvas. Use firm yet controlled strokes to achieve a polished finish.

Tips and Techniques

Maintain Moisture: Keep your palette moist by misting it with water. This prevents the glaze from drying too quickly.
Use a Test Card: Always test your glaze on a white card to ensure the desired opacity and tone before applying it to the canvas.
Layer Gradually: Build up color and contrast in thin layers to avoid overpowering the painting.
Check Dryness: Before applying a new glaze, ensure the previous layer is completely dry. Touch the surface gently to confirm.
Feather Edges: For seamless transitions, feather the glaze at the edges using a light touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best medium for glazing in acrylic painting?
A: Matte medium works best as it allows for smooth application and dries with a consistent finish.

Q: How do I fix streaks in my glaze?
A: Streaks can be resolved by removing excess glaze from your brush and blending it out across the canvas.

Q: Can I use this technique on any subject?
A: Yes! Building up color and contrast is a versatile technique that can enhance any subject, from portraits to landscapes.

Building up color and contrast is a game-changing technique that transforms flat images into vibrant, lifelike paintings. By layering glazes and adjusting tones, you can achieve professional-level depth and realism. Join the 2025 Winter Acrylic Painting Challenge to further enhance your skills and create a masterpiece you can be proud of

Ready to take your painting skills to the next level? Sign up for the 2025 Winter Acrylic Painting Challenge today and join a community of over 500 artists! Visit realisticacrylic.com for your free welcome kit and start creating stunning portraits.