Acrylic paint is one of the most popular painting media choices today. It is highly praised for its versatility and ability to go anywhere. Acrylic paint can be painted with both your hands or a brush!
Acrylic paint is usually made from either water-based or oil-based paints. The oil allows the paint to dry fully, and the water prevents it from crackling, which is why it looks white. When painting with water-based paints, there are some important rules to follow that may be different from those for oils.
The main difference between water-based and oils paints is which type of brush you use to apply them. Many people use a soft-bristle brush like an artist’s charcoal pencil instead of a traditional fountain pen style brush because it is more manageable.
Soft round brushes
Most people find that soft round brushes give the best even coverage forlining and painting on top of. The rounded shape of the brush allows for the paint to be spread over the entire surface of the canvas.
They also preserve evenness in color and coverage across paintings. This is helpful, because if one painting is darker than another, you have to use a harder or firmer brush to bring out the texture of each painting.
More importantly, when using softer brushes like round ones, you can control how hard they are. A very hard brush might be better to use if you are just starting out so you do not destroy your skin or fingers.
soften: When first learning how to paint with less strength or beginning your collection, it is helpful to use softer brushes like those with a soft round shape. These will still even out the amount of paint that gets painted on and even out any slight imperfections in the paint such as a light spot or two.
Long handled flat brush
The long handled flat brush is one of the most important brushes you can use for painting acrylic paintings. This brush can be used on many different surfaces including paper, canvas, and even metal.
Why? Because it can! You can use it on paper, canvas, and even metal. With a little practice, you will be able to use this with your finger!
By using the long handled flat brush you are also able to change the look of your painting easily. You can use the shortest brush head available to create a softer look, or you can use the longest head to create a more rugged look.
You are also able to mix and match brushes for different looks so easily! This makes them very valuable resources to have in your collection.
Short handled flat brush
The short handled flat brush is one of the most used tools in acrylic painting. It can be held like a paintbrush, but instead of painting around the canvas you sweep paint onto it.
The short handled flat brush can be painted with either left or right sides. The back side is where you specify the color, the sides are where you specify thickness. When painting a surface that does not require very little texture, such as a smooth plane or an empty canvas, then using a flat brush is best.
When painting with a flat brush, remember to set your size smaller than your bristles will take up space. For example, if your brush looks like it takes up twice the space as yours actually does, then put two sizes bigger than your actual size to fit it out!
Short handled brushes work best on smooth surfaces so that they do not pull through.
Long handled filbert brush
Another great paintbrush to hold onto is the long, rounded tipped brush. This can be used for detail work or more broad paint application.
This brush has the potential to become a very large dust collector!
Using the long, rounded tipped brush will require you to take extra time to handle it properly. Take your time to wrap the paintbrush in paper or canvas backing and pull out of painting container with other layers of paint. This will help keep the paint smooth and fine looking.
Publication artist Vanesa Karmel recommends the round tip brush for her style of painting. She uses a soft-serif Brush Brush by L’oreal that she wraps in a soft layer of paper before painting. This will give her more control over how much paint is applied and what thickness she wants on top of the others.
Short handled filbert brush
The short handled filbert brush is another tool that can be used for acrylic painting. These brushes are typically categorized as either a soft or a hard brush. A soft brush can be pulled more easily, while a hard brush can be pressed in even tighter.
Both types of brushes can be used for different effects and to change the look of your painting. The difference is which side of the brush you use to paint with and what effect you would want to apply it to.
The side that is painted with may be called the backside of the brush. The side that is applied to and painted on may be called the frontside of the brush.
Round pointed brush
The round pointed brush is another favorite of artists. It can be used for many different types of crafts, including drawing. When looking for the round pointed brush, look for a soft, rounded shape.
These brushes are typically made of soft wood and are tipped with a little paint to give it strength. These brushes can also be used for painting surfaces or accents. Adding a round pointed brush can create a new texture to your artwork!
Lastly, when painting in areas that have some texture, such as under-decks on a boat or a painted surface on land, this may help avoid having to rub out the paint later. Having the paint hold up better can save time and money spent on trying to perfect following the paint out rule.
Square flat brush
The round brush is the soft, rounded brush. The square or flat brush can be used for either ahard or soft edge, depending on the style.
The rounded brush is better for soft edges and area decorations. The square or flatbrush can be used for either a horizontal or vertical surface.
Both types of brushes are useful for: painting patterns, adding texture, and applying base colors to the artwork. Using both types of brushes will give you more options and value out of your paint!
Overall, your paint will look better with a soft-edged, slightly transparent paint like china–crystal buffed oil paint. This will give your painting a softer look and feel, without sacrificing strength in some areas.
Long handled painting knife
A painter’s painting knife is a critical tool. Without one, you would be unable to put any pressure on the paintbrush to spread the paint around.
A painter’s painting knife can range in size from a short, stubby blade to a long, wide blade. The length of the knife is what determines the thickness of your paint.
Short-bladed knives are good for applying thick layers of paint quickly and efficiently. The short-bladed Painter’s painting knives are normally about five to ten inches in length!
Long-bladed Painter’s painting knives are better for spreading the paint around due to some thicknesses of the blade.