Blog - Page 5 of 27 - Realistic Acrylic Portrait School

How to Paint Landscapes with Acrylic Glazing in 3 Easy Parts

/ Glazing Real Time Tutorial Video Tutorial
/ By Matt Philleo

Learn how to create luminous, layered landscapes with depth and vibrancy

Introduction

Unlock the secrets to how to paint landscapes with acrylic glazing in 3 easy parts. If you’ve ever admired the vibrant, ethereal quality of painted landscapes and wondered how to achieve similar effects, this guide is for you. Acrylic glazing is a technique that involves layering transparent colors to build depth and luminosity, offering an unparalleled way to bring your landscapes to life.

In this blog post, we’ll demystify the acrylic glazing process by breaking it down into three easy-to-follow parts. Whether you’re an experienced artist or just starting, you’ll find clear, actionable steps to enhance your landscape paintings. We’ll cover everything from preparing your canvas to applying and blending layers, providing you with the tools to create landscapes that are not only visually stunning but also rich in detail and emotion. Dive in and discover how you can elevate your landscape paintings with the transformative power of acrylic glazing.

Part 1: Preparing Your Canvas and Initial Layers

1.1 Choosing the Right Materials

Before diving into acrylic glazing, it’s crucial to gather the right materials. You’ll need:

A primed canvas or acrylic paper
High-quality acrylic paints
Glazing medium
Brushes (various sizes)
Palette knife
Spray bottle for water

The glazing medium is essential as it allows you to create transparent layers of paint without compromising the intensity of the colors.

1.2 Creating the Underpainting

The underpainting is the foundation of your landscape. Start by blocking in the basic shapes and colors using a more opaque application of paint. This stage is about setting the mood and composition of your piece. Don’t worry about details yet; focus on the general placement of elements like the sky, mountains, trees, and water.

Tip: Use cooler tones for distant objects to create a sense of depth and warmer tones for objects in the foreground.

1.3 Letting the Underpainting Dry

Once your underpainting is complete, allow it to dry completely. This is crucial before moving on to the glazing process, as any wet paint can muddy the glazes and ruin the transparency of the layers.

Part 2: Building Depth with Glazes

2.1 Mixing Your Glazes

To mix a glaze, combine a small amount of acrylic paint with a generous amount of glazing medium. The goal is to create a translucent wash of color. You can adjust the ratio depending on the desired transparency.

Tip: Start with lighter glazes and gradually build up to darker tones. This layering technique will give your landscape a sense of depth and dimension.

2.2 Applying the First Glaze

Begin by applying a light glaze over the sky or background elements. Use a soft brush to apply the glaze in thin, even layers. Work quickly and smoothly, as acrylics dry fast. If the glaze appears too intense, you can soften it by misting it with water and blending it with a clean brush.

Technique: Apply glazes in a crisscross pattern to avoid streaks and create a more natural look.

2.3 Building Up the Layers

Continue applying glazes, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next. This process can be repeated multiple times to achieve the desired level of depth and richness in your landscape. For instance, you might apply several glazes of blue and purple to create a deep, atmospheric sky or multiple layers of green and brown to add richness to a forested area.

Tip: Vary the colors in your glazes to create subtle shifts in tone and temperature, enhancing the realism of your landscape.

Part 3: Refining Details and Final Touches

3.1 Adding Highlights and Shadows

Once the glazing layers are complete, it’s time to refine the details. Use more opaque paint to add highlights to areas that catch the most light, such as the tops of mountains or the edges of trees. For shadows, apply darker glazes or use more saturated paint to enhance the contrast.

Technique: Use a dry brush technique to softly blend the edges of your highlights and shadows, creating a more cohesive and realistic effect.

3.2 Enhancing Texture

To add texture to your landscape, consider using a palette knife to apply thicker layers of paint in certain areas, such as rocky surfaces or tree bark. You can also create texture by spattering paint with an old toothbrush or flicking it with your fingers.

Tip: Keep the texture subtle, so it doesn’t overpower the soft, glazed layers underneath.

3.3 Final Adjustments

Take a step back and assess your painting. Look for areas that need more depth or highlights, and make any final adjustments. You can add a final glaze to unify the colors and create a cohesive look. Ensure that the painting is balanced in terms of composition, color, and contrast.

Technique: Use a soft brush to gently blend any harsh edges or transitions between colors.

Acrylic glazing is an excellent technique for creating stunning, realistic landscapes. By breaking down the process into three easy parts—preparing your canvas and initial layers, building depth with glazes, and refining details—you can achieve professional results that capture the beauty of nature. Practice these techniques, experiment with different colors and glazes, and watch your landscapes come to life with depth and vibrancy.

Ready to take your landscape painting skills to the next level? Try out these glazing techniques in your next project, and share your results with us in the comments below! Read more about my additional resources, tutorials, to learn more and check my free courses guide here.

LEARN MORE

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’ll greatly help you.

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me. I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.

Yours for Better Portraits,

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it in ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

How to Add Final Nuances to the Signing Process

How to Add Final Nuances to Signing Process

How do you finish your acrylic painting?

Introduction

As an artist, the final steps of completing a painting are both exciting and crucial. The finishing touches and the signing process not only conclude your artistic journey but also ensure your work stands out with a professional finish. This guide will walk you through how to add those final nuances to your painting and sign it with precision. Whether you’re an emerging artist or a seasoned professional, these techniques will help you achieve a refined and polished look for your artwork.

Understanding the Significance of Final Nuances

Final nuances are the subtle details that can significantly enhance the overall quality of your painting. These are the adjustments that fine-tune the depth, contrast, and visual impact of your work. By carefully addressing these details, you ensure that every aspect of your painting is harmonious and complete.

This tutorial highlights the process of refining a large-scale painting of the biblical Battle of Rephidim. This step involves evaluating the painting for any areas needing improvement, enhancing shadows and highlights, and smoothing out any inconsistencies.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Final Nuances

Assess Your Painting: Start by stepping back and evaluating your painting from a distance. Look for areas that appear inconsistent or unfinished. This assessment will guide you in making necessary adjustments. In the video, the artist scrutinized the painting for any missed opportunities and areas needing more contrast.
Enhance Shadows and Highlights: Deepening shadows and brightening highlights can add depth and dimension to your painting. Use a combination of darker and lighter shades to enhance these areas. The artist employed raw umber, burnt sienna, and other colors to improve shadow details and highlight areas.
Refine Glazes: If your painting has areas with uneven or rough glazes, address them by applying a semi-opaque glaze. Mixing a bit of white with your existing glaze can help smooth out imperfections. This technique ensures a seamless and polished finish.
Detail Work: Focus on intricate details that require refinement, such as facial expressions or textures in the background. Using a fine script liner brush, as demonstrated in the video, allows for precise and detailed work, enhancing the overall look of the painting.
Warm Up Transitions: Smooth transitions between dark and light areas can make your painting appear more cohesive. Adding warmer tones to transition points can help achieve a more natural and appealing gradation.

The Signing Process

Signing your painting is a crucial step that signifies the completion of your artwork. Here’s how to ensure your signature is both effective and professional:

Select the Ideal Color: Choose a color for your signature that contrasts with the background without overpowering the painting. I used a mix of burnt sienna and green to create a neutral color that blends well yet stands out.
Use the Right Brush: A fine-tipped brush, such as a script liner brush, is essential for a clean and precise signature. This type of brush holds a lot of paint and offers fine control for a professional finish.
Positioning Your Signature: Place your signature in a location that balances the composition of the painting. The artist chose the left side to avoid disrupting the visual weight of the right side, creating a balanced and harmonious appearance.
Include the Date: Adding the date to your signature not only marks the completion of your work but also helps in maintaining a record of your artwork. This detail adds to the professional quality of your painting.
Final Touches: After signing, review your painting one last time to ensure everything is in place. Make any final adjustments to the signature or painting as needed to achieve a flawless finish.

Adding final nuances and signing your painting are integral steps in achieving a professional-quality finish. By carefully refining your artwork and signing it with intention, you ensure that your painting not only reflects your artistic vision but also stands out with a polished and refined look.

For more tips on painting techniques and finishing touches, explore www.realisticacrylic.com. Our tutorials and free guides resources are designed to help you perfect your craft and elevate your artwork to new heights. Happy painting!

LEARN MORE

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’ll greatly help you.

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me. I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.

Yours for Better Portraits,

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it in ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

How to Paint Mountains in the Distance with Acrylic

Transform your landscape paintings with these acrylic glazing tips for distant mountains

Painting distant mountains can add a breathtaking sense of depth and realism to your landscape artworks. Using acrylic glazing techniques allows you to achieve this effect with stunning results. In this guide, we’ll explore how to paint mountains in the distance, focusing on essential techniques and tips to enhance your artwork.

Understanding the Basics of Acrylic Glazing

Acrylic glazing involves applying thin, transparent layers of paint over dry layers to modify their color and tone. This technique is particularly effective for creating depth and atmospheric perspective in landscape paintings. To paint distant mountains, you’ll use glazing to create subtle color shifts and soften the edges, mimicking the natural effects of atmospheric conditions.

1. Preparing Your Canvas and Palette

Start by setting up your canvas and preparing your palette with the essential colors. For distant mountains, you’ll need:

Titanium White: For highlights and mixing with other colors.
Pyrrole Orange: To warm up certain areas and add vibrancy.
Indian Yellow: For creating warm undertones.
Naphthol Red: To introduce a reddish hue where needed.
Ultramarine Blue: To create cool, distant tones.
Raw Umber Dark: For deeper shadows and earthy tones.

Mix these colors to achieve a range of cool and warm tones suitable for distant mountains. Remember, cooler tones often recede into the background, while warmer tones advance.

2. Creating the Base Layers

Using a small, round brush, start by applying a base layer of color to your mountains. For distant mountains, use a mix of ultramarine blue and raw umber dark to create a soft, muted base. This will set the foundation for the distant appearance of the mountains.

Apply the paint in broad, sweeping strokes, mimicking the natural contours of mountain ranges. Focus on creating a gradient from darker tones at the base to lighter tones towards the top, simulating distance and elevation.

3. Adding Depth with Glazing

Once your base layer is dry, begin glazing to add depth and nuance. Mix a thin, transparent glaze using titanium white and a touch of pyrrole orange for highlights. Apply this glaze over the base layer to create the appearance of light hitting the mountain peaks.

Tip: Apply glazes in thin layers and build up gradually. This approach allows you to control the intensity and achieve a more natural look.

4. Creating Atmospheric Perspective

Atmospheric perspective is key to making mountains look distant. Use cooler tones, like a mix of ultramarine blue and naphthol red to add a hazy effect. Apply these colors lightly to areas that are farther away, softening the edges and blending them into the background.

Avoid using bright or saturated colors for distant mountains, as this can make them appear closer than they are. Instead, rely on muted, cool colors to maintain the illusion of depth.

5. Adding Highlights and Shadows

To enhance the three-dimensional quality of your mountains, add highlights and shadows. For highlights, use a mix of titanium white and indian yellow. Lightly apply this mixture to the mountain peaks and ridges where the light source is strongest.

For shadows, deepen the areas with raw umber dark mixed with a touch of ultramarine blue. Apply these shadows to areas that are obscured from the light, creating contrast and depth.

Tip: Ensure that your highlights and shadows follow the natural contours of the mountains. This adds realism and prevents your painting from looking flat.

6. Blending and Refining

Once you’ve added highlights and shadows, blend the colors to smooth transitions between different tones. Use a clean, dry brush or a blending brush to gently blend the edges where the colors meet. This technique helps to soften any harsh lines and creates a more seamless look.

Focus on areas where the light and shadow meet, ensuring that the transitions are smooth and natural.

7. Final Touches

Add any final details or touches to enhance the realism of your mountains. Check for any gaps or areas that need additional color adjustments. Use a fine brush to add small details or adjust highlights and shadows as needed.

Tip: Step back from your painting periodically to evaluate the overall effect. This perspective helps you see any areas that might need adjustment or refinement.

Painting mountains in the distance with acrylic glazing techniques can transform your landscape paintings, adding depth and realism. By using cool tones, creating atmospheric perspective, and carefully applying highlights and shadows, you can achieve a stunning portrayal of distant mountain ranges. Practice these techniques, and soon you’ll be able to create landscapes with breathtaking depth and dimension.

For more tips and tutorials on acrylic painting, visit https://realisticacrylic.com/tutorials/ to learn more and check out my free courses. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, there’s always something new to learn and apply to your paintings. Happy painting!

LEARN MORE

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’ll greatly help you.

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me. I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.

Yours for Better Portraits,

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it in ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

How to Paint Golden Dog Fur with Glazes in Acrylic

Learn the art of painting realistic golden fur with layered glazing techniques

Introduction

Painting fur, especially the luxurious golden tones of a dog’s coat, can be both challenging and rewarding. This guide will walk you through the process of how to paint golden dog fur using acrylic glazes to achieve a realistic fur texture. Capturing the softness and depth that make your pet portraits stand out. By layering colors and adding subtle details, you can create a painting that feels lifelike and rich in detail.

Step 1: Preparing Your Painting

Before diving into the glazing process, ensure your painting is at the mid-point of completion. You should have the basic colors, values, and contrasts laid out. For this demonstration, the subject is an 8×10 commission portrait of a dog, with the fur already sketched and the initial layers of paint applied.

Step 2: Choosing Your Colors and Medium

The key to painting realistic fur lies in the selection of colors and the medium. For golden fur, start with a clear glazing medium mixed with raw umber dark—a deep, rich brown that’s essential for adding depth. This color will serve as the base for building up the layers of fur.

Step 3: Applying the First Glaze

Dip your brush into the glazing medium and add a small amount of raw umber. The goal is to create a translucent layer that enhances the existing colors without overwhelming them. Gently brush this glaze over the fur, focusing on areas where you want to deepen the shadows and add warmth. Use your finger to softly blend the edges, ensuring a smooth transition between the glazed areas and the underlying paint.

Step 4: Building Depth with Additional Glazes

Continue adding layers of glaze to build depth in the fur. To enhance the natural tones, mix a touch of alizarine crimson with the raw umber, creating a warm, reddish-brown hue. Apply this mixture to areas like the ears and around the eyes, where the fur naturally darkens. Remember to work in thin layers, gradually building up the color intensity.

Step 5: Adjusting Tones and Highlights

As you layer your glazes, you might find some areas becoming too warm or dark. To balance this, mix in a small amount of white with your glazing medium. White has a cooling effect, which can help to tone down overly warm areas. Apply this cooler glaze to sections of the fur that need to recede or appear lighter. For instance, if the body of the dog appears too dark compared to the reference photo, this cool glaze can help bring it closer to the desired tone.

Step 6: Adding Fine Details

Once you’ve built up the depth and tone, it’s time to add the finer details that make the fur appear realistic. Use a small, pointed brush to carefully darken areas between individual strands of fur, particularly around the dog’s eyes, nose, and forehead. These darker details will give the fur its texture and make the painting pop.

Step 7: Balancing Opacity and Transparency

While glazes add beautiful translucency to your painting, it’s important to balance this with some areas of opacity. Opaque layers, when used sparingly, can enhance the richness and substance of the fur. Mix your paint with less medium to create these opaque layers, and apply them strategically where the fur appears thickest or where you want to emphasize highlights.

Step 8: Final Adjustments and Highlights

As you near the completion of the painting, step back and evaluate the overall composition. Are there areas that need more contrast? Do certain sections of fur need to be lightened or darkened? Make these adjustments with additional glazes or opaque layers as needed. Finally, add the brightest highlights to the fur, using a nearly opaque mix of white and your chosen colors. These highlights should be applied sparingly, focusing on the areas where the light naturally hits the fur.

Tips and Techniques:

Work in Layers: Building up the fur with multiple thin glazes allows you to achieve a rich, realistic texture.
Use a Soft Brush: For blending glazes, a soft brush works best to avoid harsh lines.
Keep Your Palette Fresh: As the medium starts to dry, refresh your palette to maintain the fluidity of the paint.
Experiment with Color: Don’t be afraid to adjust your glazes with different color mixes to match the fur’s tone.

Painting golden dog fur with acrylic glazes is a technique that requires patience and practice, but the results are well worth the effort. By layering colors and carefully balancing opacity with transparency, you can create a portrait that truly captures the essence of your furry subject. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, these techniques will help you elevate your pet portraits to new levels of realism.

Read more about my additional resources, tutorials, to learn more and check out my free courses here. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, there’s always something new to learn and apply to your paintings. Happy painting!

LEARN MORE

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’ll greatly help you.

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me. I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.

Yours for Better Portraits,

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it in ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

New Portrait Painting Class Coming Very Soon!

/ New Course
/ By Matt Philleo

I’m SO excited for the new painting class that I will be opening up tomorrow!

So what’s the difference between that one and the old one?

Well, the first one, “Paint Your First Amazing Acrylic Portrait,” was launched waaaay back in 2017. One of my online followers, Dorothy, asked and asked and asked me when I was going to teach a class. I had taught in-person classes for a while, but I wasn’t sure if it was possible to teach online.

Despite my uncertainty, a very eager Dorothy, who was in her 80’s, bought a webcam and I walked her through on how to set it up. Then she asked me, “IF you were to teach a class, how much would you charge?”

I researched online, and it seemed like $97 was a good price. So I told her, and she said, “I’ll mail you a check.”

So now, I HAD to do the class!

I let the people on my email list of 141 people know and 10 signed up! And that was my original class. I taught it all live. I bought an online class teaching me how to teach an online class. They said, “it’s better just to do it imperfectly than to be a perfectionist and not do it at all.”

I took that to heart and decided to take action.

From several conversations with artists, I learned what they wanted in a class, and what frustrations they were experiencing while trying to paint a portrait in acrylic. I created my lesson plan based on that.

Quickly, I suspended my webcam with some sticks and wire on the ceiling and started meeting with the students once a week, and recording the lessons.

That first class was good—for a beta class—and hundreds of students got great results from it. But I know it could be better. I’ve gotten tons of feedback. Like hundreds of comments from students to know what to improve.

So what will be the difference between the classes?

Let me show you.

As you can see, God willing, the new class will be TONS better! I am excited to offer it to you.

Tomorrow, I’ll give you more details and open it up for enrollment.

Sign up here on my email list to get the invite:

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits

Blessings,

Matt

P.S. Do you have any questions about this class? Leave a comment below. I’m excited to teach you!

How to Paint Realistic Trees & Landscapes: Technique

I’ll show you what colors to use (and why), how to mix the paint with matte medium for the glazing technique

Introduction

Creating realistic trees and landscapes in acrylic paintings can be a rewarding yet challenging task. The secret to mastering this lies in the glazing technique, which allows for depth, luminosity, and a natural appearance. In this guide, we’ll walk through a detailed process to help you bring your landscape elements to life. And I’ll show you how I paint realistic trees & landscapes using a technique and a step-by-step process.

How to Paint Realistic Trees & Landscapes

Understanding the Glazing Technique

Glazing is a fundamental technique in acrylic painting, where you apply thin layers of translucent paint to build depth and vibrancy. This method is particularly useful when painting backgrounds, like trees in landscapes, as it preserves the underlying sketch while adding color and detail gradually.

Materials Needed:

Acrylic paints (ultramarine blue, phthalo blue, titanium white, raw sienna, raw umber dark)
Matte medium
Brushes (quarter-inch flats, rounds, filberts)
Palette for mixing colors

Step-by-Step Process:

Mixing the Glaze: Start by creating your glaze mixture. Combine a small amount of paint with a generous amount of matte medium. The matte medium is a clear acrylic without pigment, allowing for translucent layers that maintain the integrity of your initial sketch.
Choosing the Right Colors: Begin with subdued colors for the background, as these will give the illusion of distance. For instance, mix ultramarine blue with raw sienna to create a subdued green. To add variety, incorporate phthalo blue and titanium white, adjusting with raw umber dark to neutralize any intensity.

Painting Trees in the Distance

To create realistic trees in the background, focus on cooler, less intense colors. These colors recede visually, making the trees appear further away.

Block in the Shapes: Use a mix of phthalo blue, ultramarine blue, and a touch of titanium white for the distant trees. Lightly apply this mix to establish the overall shape, not worrying too much about staying within the lines—overlapping can be adjusted later with background colors.
Adjusting Tones: If your color is too vibrant, add raw umber dark, to tone it down, creating a more natural look. This step is crucial, as it ensures that your distant trees don’t overpower the foreground elements.
Layering with Glazes: Continue layering glazes to build up the form of the trees. Use a dry-brush technique to add subtle transitions between light and shadow, which will give your trees a more three-dimensional appearance. Remember, the goal is to see the abstraction within realism—simplify complex shapes into manageable forms.

Bringing the Midground to Life

The midground trees and landscape elements should be more defined than those in the background but still less intense than the foreground.

Creating Midground Colors: For the midground, slightly warm up your color palette by adding more raw sienna to the mix. This will create a gentle contrast between the cooler background trees and the warmer midground.
Detailing with Brushwork: Use smaller brushes to add details like branches and foliage. Focus on capturing the shapes and shadows without getting too detailed, as this can detract from the overall realism. It’s about striking a balance between simplicity and complexity.

Final Touches: Adding Depth to the Foreground

The foreground is where you can introduce the most detail and contrast, drawing the viewer’s eye.

Darkening the Shadows: To add depth, mix a darker shade by combining ultramarine blue, phthalo blue, and a bit of raw umber dark. Apply this to the base of the trees and other shadowed areas.
Highlighting with Glazes: Use warm glazes to highlight areas where light would naturally hit. This will make the trees and landscape pop, giving the impression of sunlight filtering through.
Maintaining Color Harmony: As you paint, continually ask yourself where else you can apply the current color mix. This promotes harmony across the painting and helps unify the different elements.

The glazing technique is a powerful tool for creating realistic trees and landscapes in acrylic paintings. By layering translucent colors and focusing on the subtle interplay of light and shadow, you can achieve a natural and immersive scene. Remember to be patient and allow the process to unfold gradually. With practice, you’ll find that your ability to capture the beauty of nature in your paintings will significantly improve.

Tips and Techniques Recap:

Use matte medium to create translucent glazes.
Start with cooler, subdued colors for distant trees.
Layer glazes to build depth and form.
Strike a balance between simplicity and detail.
Apply color harmony by reusing mixtures across the painting.

By incorporating these techniques, you’ll elevate your landscape paintings, making them more lifelike and captivating.

Read more about my additional resources, tutorials, to learn more and check out my free courses here. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, there’s always something new to learn and apply to your paintings. Happy painting!

LEARN MORE

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’ll greatly help you.

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me. I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.

Yours for Better Portraits,

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it in ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

How To Paint Golden Fields Under Crimson Trees:30 Minute Acrylic

Capture the essence of autumn with this quick and vibrant acrylic landscape

Introduction

Autumn is a season of vibrant colors, with trees adorned in hues of crimson, orange, and gold. Capturing this beauty on canvas can be a rewarding challenge for any artist. In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to paint a stunning landscape featuring golden fields under crimson trees using acrylic paints. This guide is based on a 30-minute painting session, so it’s perfect for those who want to create a quick yet impactful artwork. Let’s dive into the steps, colors, and techniques needed to bring this autumn scene to life.

Materials You Will Need

Canvas: 8×10 inch white canvas board
Acrylic Paints:
- Ivory Black
- Raw Umber
- Dark Burnt Sienna
- Raw Sienna
- Ultramarine Blue
- Alizarine Crimson
- Naphthol Red
- Pyrrole Orange
- Indian Yellow
- Titanium White
Brushes:
- Quarter-inch flat brush
- Medium flat brush
- Detail brush
Palette
Water and Cloth for Cleaning Brushes
Matte Medium (Optional)

Step 1: Setting the Scene

Before starting your painting, it’s essential to set up a scene in your mind or use a reference photo. For this tutorial, we’re inspired by a pictures autumn view from Wisconsin, where golden fields stretch under a canopy of crimson trees.

Blocking in the Horizon

Begin by establishing your horizon line on the canvas. This line should sit slightly below the center, following the golden mean, which is not quite the halfway mark but a bit above a third. This placement will help balance your composition.

Mix a base color using ultramarine blue, raw sienna, and titanium white to create a soft greenish tone for the distant trees. Use a medium flat brush to block in the horizon line and the general structure of the fields and hills.

Step 2: Painting the Fields

The golden fields are the focal point of this painting. To achieve the rich tones of harvested crops, mix burnt sienna, raw sienna, and titanium white to create a warm base color. Apply this mixture to the foreground, using broad, horizontal strokes to suggest the flow of the field.

For the mid-ground, lighten the base color by adding more titanium white and a touch of indian yellow. This area should be slightly lighter to create depth and distance. Apply firm pressure with your brush to create a sense of texture in the field.

Step 3: Creating the Distant Hills

The distant hills should be a lighter, more subdued version of the field colors. Mix titanium white, phthalo blue, and indian yellow to create a muted greenish-blue tone. Apply this color to the hills in the background, keeping your brushstrokes soft and horizontal.

This muted tone will help push the hills further back in the composition, creating a sense of depth.

Step 4: Adding the Crimson Trees

Now comes the exciting part—adding the vibrant crimson trees that will dominate the upper part of the composition. Mix pyrrole orange, alizarine crimson, and a touch of indian yellow to create a fiery red-orange color. Use a small flat brush to apply this color in dabs and strokes, mimicking the natural shape of tree foliage.

Pay attention to the placement of these trees. Group them in clusters to avoid a pattern-like appearance, which can make the painting look unnatural. Place the trees slightly off-center to create a more dynamic composition.

Step 5: Enhancing the Colors

To make the trees stand out even more, layer in highlights and additional tones. Mix titanium white with pyrrole orange for brighter highlights, and with indian yellow for golden touches. Apply these colors to the tops of the trees, where sunlight would naturally hit, creating a vibrant glow.

You can also add a few touches of bright green to the trees by mixing phthalo blue with indian yellow and titanium white. This will add variety and realism to the foliage.

Step 6: Introducing the Foreground Trees

To frame the scene, add darker trees in the foreground. Mix raw sienna, ultramarine blue, and ivory black to create a deep, dark green. Use a small flat brush to paint the silhouettes of trees and bushes in the foreground. These trees should be darker and more detailed to draw the viewer’s eye into the scene.

Step 7: Final Touches and Details

With the main elements in place, it’s time to refine your painting with final details. Add texture to the trees by using a dry-brush technique—lightly drag a nearly dry brush with a small amount of paint over the canvas to create the illusion of leaves and branches.

If needed, add more highlights to the tops of the trees and fine-tune the colors in the fields. You can also use a detail brush to add small branches or leaves that catch the light.

Finally, paint the sky using a mix of titanium white and a tiny amount of ultramarine blue to create a soft, pale blue. The sky should be light and slightly gray, complementing the warm tones of the landscape below.

Tips & Techniques

Use a Reference: Always have a reference photo or real-life scene in mind. This helps maintain accuracy and enhances the realism of your painting.
Layering Colors: Start with darker tones and gradually layer lighter colors on top. This technique adds depth and dimension to your painting.
Brush Control: For more control over the shapes and textures, use smaller brushes for details and larger brushes for broader areas.
Timing: Remember, this is a 30-minute painting session. Keep your strokes deliberate and avoid overworking any part of the painting.

Painting an autumn landscape in just 30 minutes is not only possible but also a rewarding experience. By following these steps, you can capture the essence of golden fields under crimson trees and bring a slice of autumn’s beauty to your canvas. Don’t worry if it doesn’t turn out perfect—each painting is a learning opportunity. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll master the art of quick, vibrant landscapes.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me. I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.

Yours for Better Portraits,

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it in ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

How to Use Halation to Improve Vibrance and Realism

Learn how to add warmth and depth to your portraits with this simple yet powerful technique

Introduction

When it comes to portrait painting, achieving vibrance and realism can be a challenging task. However, with the right techniques, you can bring your paintings to life with rich colors and dynamic contrast. One such technique is halation, a method that involves adding warmer tones at the edges of light and dark values. This blog post will guide you through the process of using halation to improve the vibrance and realism in your acrylic paintings, inspired by the works of artists like Wayne Thiebaud.

What is Halation?

Halation is a technique where warmer tones are applied at the junctions between light and dark values in a painting. This creates a glowing effect, adding depth and energy to the artwork. The term “halation” is derived from the word “halo,” which refers to the glowing ring often seen around a light source. In painting, this technique can be used to enhance the visual impact of the artwork, especially in scenes with dramatic lighting.

Why Use Halation?

The use of halation can significantly enhance the vibrance and realism of a painting. By adding warm tones, such as reds, oranges, and yellows, at the edges where light meets shadow, the painting gains a dynamic contrast that draws the viewer’s eye. This technique is particularly effective in creating a sense of depth and making the subjects in the painting stand out. Additionally, halation can evoke a warm, glowing atmosphere, which is especially useful in scenes with strong sunlight or other light sources.

The Halation Technique in Action

In the video, I’ll demonstrate the use of halation while working on a 30×40 acrylic portrait of Moses, Aaron, and Hur during the Amalakite battle. The scene is set with extreme lighting, where most subjects are in shadow with strong illumination hitting just the edges. Here’s how halation is applied in this scenario:

Choosing the Right Colors:
I uses a combination of pyrrole orange and indian yellow to create the warm tones needed for halation. These colors are vibrant and stand out well against the darker background, making them ideal for this technique.
Applying Warm Tones:
Using a round brush, I carefully applies these warm tones at the junctions between light and dark values. For example, around Moses’ face, the edges of the clothing, and even on the rocks and clouds. The goal is to highlight the areas where the light meets the shadow, creating a glowing effect.
Maintaining the Lighting Scenario:
The halation technique is particularly effective in scenes with dramatic lighting, such as the low sunlight depicted in this painting. By adding warm tones in these high-contrast areas, the painting maintains a consistent lighting scenario that enhances the overall realism.
Creating Visual Impact:
As the warmer tones are added, the painting begins to take on a more vibrant and energetic feel. The halation effect draws the viewer’s attention to the key elements of the painting, such as the faces of the subjects and the illuminated edges of their clothing. This not only improves the vibrance but also adds a sense of movement and life to the scene.

Tips and Techniques for Using Halation

Select the Right Colors:
When choosing colors for halation, opt for warm, vibrant hues like reds, oranges, and yellows. These colors should complement the existing palette of your painting while standing out enough to create the desired contrast.
Use a Fine Brush:
Precision is key when applying halation. Use a fine, round brush to carefully add the warm tones at the edges of light and dark values. This ensures that the halation effect is subtle yet impactful.
Balance the Effect:
While halation can add vibrance, it’s important not to overdo it. Apply the warm tones sparingly, focusing on the areas of highest contrast. This will prevent the painting from becoming too saturated and losing its realism.
Practice on Smaller Areas First:
If you’re new to halation, start by practicing on smaller areas of your painting. Experiment with different colors and brush techniques to see how the effect changes the overall look of the artwork.
Study the Masters:
Artists like Wayne Thiebaud have mastered the halation technique. Study their works to see how they use warm tones to enhance vibrance and realism. This can provide inspiration and guidance as you incorporate halation into your own paintings.

Halation is a powerful technique that can transform your acrylic paintings, adding vibrance and realism by carefully placing warm tones at the edges of light and dark values. Whether you’re working on a dramatic battle scene or a serene portrait, mastering halation will elevate your art to new levels of depth and energy. Start experimenting with this technique today, and watch as your paintings come to life with color and light.

For more tips and tutorials on acrylic painting, be sure to check out my website at www.realisticacrylic.com, and my free course. Where you can find a wealth of resources to help you improve your skills and create stunning artwork. Happy painting!

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I’d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’ll greatly help you.

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me. I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.

Yours for Better Portraits,

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it in ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

How to Paint Old Man with Black Cap in 30 Minutes

Learn the art of acrylic portraits with quick and effective alla prima technique

Introduction

Creating a compelling portrait in just 30 minutes might seem daunting, but with the right approach and technique, it’s entirely possible. This tutorial guides you through painting an old man with a black cap using the alla prima method—a technique where you complete the painting in one session while the paint is still wet.

This approach not only sharpens your skills but also helps you capture the essence of your subject with speed and accuracy.

Materials and Colors

Before starting, make sure you have the following materials:

Canvas: 8×10 inches, pre-toned
Brushes: Round brush, flat brush, and filbert brush
Palette:
- Titanium White
- Ivory Black
- Raw Umber Dark
- Burnt Sienna
- Raw Sienna
- Phthalo Blue
- Ultramarine Blue
- Alizarine Crimson
- Naphthol Red
- Pyrrole Orange
- Indian Yellow
- Matte Medium

Step 1: Setting Up the Canvas

Start by preparing your 8×10 inch canvas, ensuring it’s pre-toned to provide a neutral background. This helps in achieving the correct values and tones as you paint. For this tutorial, we’ll be painting an old man with a black cap using opaque colors, which differ from the usual glazing method.

Step 2: Blocking In the Composition

Using a mixture of ivory black and matte medium, lightly sketch the composition. Focus on the general shapes of the hat, eyes, cheek structure, beard, and shoulders. Keep in mind the overall proportions and the placement of key features. The old man’s shoulder is hunched, and his beard is prominent, so take care to capture these unique aspects of his posture.

Step 3: Establishing the Mid-Tones

Mix titanium white with raw sienna and pyrrole orange to create a warm flesh tone. Begin applying this to the highlighted areas of the face, such as the forehead, cheeks, and chin. Given the strong lighting on the subject, you’ll notice high contrast in these areas, which you should replicate in your painting.

Step 4: Adding Shadows and Depth

To create the shadows, mix ivory black with ultramarine blue and raw umber dark. Apply this mixture to the left side of the face, under the hat, and around the nose and mouth. These darker tones will give your portrait depth and dimension, making the facial features more prominent.

Step 5: Detailing the Beard and Mustache

For the beard and mustache, use a mixture of titanium white, raw umber dark, and a touch of indian yellow. Apply this color to the beard, allowing it to contrast slightly with the flesh tones. Add a cooler shadow on the left side of the beard by incorporating ultramarine blue into the mix.

Step 6: Enhancing Facial Features

Work on the finer details of the face, such as the nasolabial folds, eye sockets, and wrinkles. Use a smaller round brush to carefully apply darker tones to these areas, blending as needed to create smooth transitions. Add a touch of warmth to the nose and cheeks by mixing in alizarine crimson and burnt sienna.

Step 7: Painting the Black Cap

Switch to a larger round brush to block in the black cap. Use ivory black with a hint of ultramarine blue for the darker areas, and lighten the mixture with titanium white for the highlights on the cap’s surface. The filbert brush works well for adding subtle gradients and capturing the cap’s texture.

Step 8: Defining the Clothing

The old man’s clothing is mostly in shadow, so use the same dark mixture from the cap to paint his coat. Add wrinkles and folds using a lighter version of this color, applying it with a flat brush to suggest the form of his arm and chest.

Step 9: Final Touches and Highlights

Add the finishing touches by enhancing the highlights on the face, beard, and cap. For example, brighten the top of the cap with a mix of titanium white and raw sienna. Ensure that the transitions between light and shadow are smooth, and take a step back to assess the overall balance of the portrait.

In just 30 minutes, you’ve created a striking portrait of an old man with a black cap, capturing the essence of the subject through careful attention to detail and contrast. This exercise not only improves your speed and accuracy but also hones your ability to see and replicate values effectively. Keep practicing with different subjects and lighting conditions to further refine your skills and confidence in Alla Prima painting.

Tips and Techniques

Work Quickly: The 30-minute time limit forces you to focus on essential details and avoid overworking areas. Embrace the challenge to improve your speed and decision-making.
Use a Limited Palette: Simplifying your color choices helps you maintain harmony in your painting and allows you to focus more on values.
Capture the Essence: Rather than aiming for perfection, strive to capture the subject’s character and mood. The goal is to create a convincing likeness in a short time.

This method is excellent for artists who want to improve their efficiency and brush control while producing high-quality work. Keep practicing, and you’ll find yourself becoming faster and more confident in your portrait painting abilities!

Read more about my additional resources, tutorials, to learn more and check out my free courses. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, there’s always something new to learn and apply to your paintings. Happy painting!

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I’d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’ll greatly help you.

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me. I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.

Yours for Better Portraits,

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it in ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

How to Save Money on Your Acrylic Paint

Discover tips and techniques to maximize your painting budget.

Introduction:

Acrylic paint is a versatile medium loved by artists for its quick-drying properties, vibrant colors, and adaptability. However, the costs can add up, especially when you’re working on large projects or creating art regularly. In this guide, I’ll share practical tips on how to save money on your acrylic paint without compromising on quality. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting, these strategies will help you stretch your budget further.

1. Choose Affordable Yet High-Quality Paint Brands:

One of the most effective ways to save money on acrylic paint is by choosing affordable yet high-quality brands. For instance, Nova Color is an excellent alternative to more expensive brands like Liquitex and Winsor & Newton. Manufactured in Culver City, California, Nova Color cuts out the middleman by selling directly to artists. This results in significant savings—often around a third or half the price of other premium brands.

Why Nova Color?

High Pigment Saturation: Nova Color offers vibrant, saturated colors, ideal for glazing techniques.
Quality Resin Binder: The high-quality polymer resin binder ensures the paint’s longevity and resilience.
Cost-Effective: You get the same quality at a fraction of the cost, making it a smart choice for artists on a budget.

2. Buy in Bulk:

Another effective way to save money is by purchasing your paint in larger quantities. For example, you can buy a gallon of matte medium from Nova Color for the same price you’d pay for a quart at a traditional art store. This approach is especially beneficial for artists who paint frequently, as it significantly reduces the cost per ounce.

Benefits of Buying in Bulk:

Lower Cost per Unit: The larger the quantity, the lower the cost per ounce.
Fewer Purchases: Reduces the frequency of purchases, saving time and potential shipping costs.

3. Efficient Paint Dispensing:

While bulk buying is cost-effective, it can be cumbersome to work with large containers of paint. Instead of using spoons to transfer paint from a gallon container to your palette—an often messy and inefficient process—consider transferring the paint into smaller, more manageable containers.

Use Squeezable Tubes:

I recommend using Coughlin squeezable tubes, typically found in camping supply stores or online retailers like Amazon. Originally designed for toiletries, these tubes work perfectly for acrylic paint. They are easy to fill, and the clip-sealed caps prevent leakage, making them an excellent tool for a neat and efficient painting process.

How to Use Squeezable Tubes:

Transfer the Paint: Pour your acrylic paint from the large container into the squeezable tube.
Fill Wisely: Fill the tube about halfway to two-thirds full, leaving space to avoid spills when sealing.
Seal the Tube: After filling, squeeze out any excess air and securely seal the tube with the clip provided.
Dispense as Needed: When you’re ready to paint, simply unscrew the cap and squeeze the desired amount onto your palette.

4. Proper Storage Techniques:

Proper storage of your acrylic paint can extend its shelf life and prevent wastage. Make sure to keep your paint containers sealed tightly when not in use to prevent them from drying out. Store your paint in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, which can cause the paint to thicken or separate over time.

Storage Tips:

Tightly Seal Containers: Always reseal your paint containers properly after each use.
Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Avoid exposure to heat and direct sunlight.
Use Smaller Containers for Daily Use: Transfer small amounts of paint into smaller containers for easier access and to avoid frequent exposure of the bulk paint to air.

5. Mix and Extend Your Paint:

Acrylic mediums can be used to extend the volume of your paint, allowing you to cover more area without needing more paint. Matte mediums, gloss mediums, and other acrylic additives can dilute the paint without compromising its consistency or color integrity.

Benefits of Using Acrylic Mediums:

Increased Coverage: Extend the paint to cover more surface area.
Enhanced Effects: Create different finishes, such as matte or glossy, depending on the medium used.
Maintained Quality: Dilute the paint while maintaining its color strength and consistency.

Saving money on acrylic paint doesn’t mean you have to compromise on the quality of your artwork. By choosing the right brands, buying in bulk, using efficient dispensing methods, storing your paint correctly, and extending your paint with mediums, you can enjoy high-quality painting experiences while keeping your budget intact.

If you’re interested in trying out Nova Color or looking for affordable ways to extend your acrylic supplies, be sure to check out here.

If you found these tips helpful, please share this post, For more acrylic painting tips, visit my additional resources, tutorials, to learn more

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I’d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’ll greatly help you.

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me. I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.

Yours for Better Portraits,

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it in ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!