Acrylic painting is one of the most versatile mediums available to artists today. Its fast-drying properties, vibrant colours, and adaptability make it perfect for both beginners and professionals. Whether you prefer realistic portraits, abstract compositions, or textured landscapes, mastering a variety of acrylic techniques can dramatically enhance your work.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the most effective acrylic painting techniques, explain how and when to use them, and recommend the best products from The Sydney Art Store’s painting collection to help you get started.
Blending allows you to create seamless colour transitions — essential for realistic shading, skies, and soft gradients.
To blend with acrylics, work quickly while the paint is still wet. Use a soft, clean brush and light strokes to merge colours on the canvas. For a slower drying time, mix a retarder medium into your paint, giving you more flexibility to work.
Using high-quality paints like Matisse Structure Acrylics ensures rich pigmentation, making blends appear smooth and consistent. The right brush is equally important — a flat or filbert brush from the brush collection works best for this technique.
Dry brushing is ideal for adding texture, movement, or subtle highlights to your work. This technique involves loading a small amount of paint onto a dry brush and applying it with quick, light strokes.
It works beautifully for creating grass, fur, wood grain, or weathered surfaces. Since very little paint is used, the underlying layers remain visible, adding depth and interest.
To achieve the best results, use stiff-bristled brushes like those in The Sydney Art Store’s brush range and slightly thicker paint for maximum texture control.
Glazing is a layering technique where thin, transparent layers of colour are applied over a dry base. This method can create luminous effects and enhance depth in your painting.
Mix your acrylic paint with a glazing medium to increase transparency without diluting the pigment. Apply with a soft brush, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next. This technique is perfect for achieving glowing light effects, rich shadows, or subtle colour shifts.
Glazing works particularly well with professional-grade acrylics from The Sydney Art Store’s painting collection, ensuring clarity and vibrancy in each layer.
Impasto involves applying thick layers of paint to create dimension and expressive texture on the canvas. You can use either a brush or a palette knife to apply the paint generously, allowing visible brush marks and peaks to form.
This technique is excellent for expressive, high-energy pieces or for adding emphasis to specific areas of a painting. Using heavy-body acrylics like those in The Sydney Art Store’s painting collection ensures the texture holds its shape.
Pair with quality palette knives to sculpt and shape your paint directly on the canvas.
Acrylic pouring has exploded in popularity for its stunning, marbled effects and unpredictable beauty. This technique involves mixing acrylic paint with a pouring medium and then letting it flow across the canvas.
Different pouring methods — like dirty pour, flip cup, or puddle pour — create unique patterns and colour interactions. Using vibrant pigments and high-quality mediums ensures your results stay bright and don’t crack as they dry.
For supplies, check The Sydney Art Store’s painting collection for suitable acrylics and pouring accessories.
No matter the technique, the right tools are key to achieving professional results. A well-stocked artist’s toolkit should include:
You can find all of these essentials in The Sydney Art Store’s curated art kits, perfect for artists at any skill level.
Acrylic painting offers endless possibilities, and mastering multiple techniques will allow you to develop a unique style and push your creative limits. Whether you prefer the precision of glazing, the texture of impasto, or the freedom of pouring, each method adds new dimensions to your work.
By investing in quality materials from The Sydney Art Store, you give yourself the best foundation for creating art that’s as bold and vibrant as your vision.
Synthetic and natural hair brushes each have their unique benefits. Synthetic brushes are often more affordable, and they tend to be more durable and resistant to damage. They also retain their shape well after multiple uses, making them a popular choice for artists who need a reliable and long-lasting brush. On the other hand, natural hair brushes—especially those made with sable or kolinsky hair—are known for their superior water retention and ability to deliver precise, delicate strokes. Natural hair brushes are typically preferred by professional artists for their softness and ability to hold a large amount of water, which is essential for blending and washes.
While watercolour brushes are specifically designed for use with water-based paints, they can be used with other mediums, but with certain precautions. For example, acrylic paints tend to dry quickly, and while watercolour brushes can be used with acrylics, it’s important to clean them thoroughly after each use to prevent the paint from drying in the bristles. Oil paints are generally thicker and may damage watercolour brushes if used frequently. It’s best to use brushes specifically designed for these other paints to preserve their shape and performance. If you use your watercolour brushes with other paints, always clean them immediately after use.
Cleaning your watercolour brushes is essential to maintain their performance and longevity. After using your brush, rinse it thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove any excess paint. Avoid using hot water, as it can damage the bristles. Gently reshape the tip of the brush using your fingers or a brush cleaner. For deep cleaning, use mild soap or a specialized brush cleaner designed for watercolour brushes. After cleaning, allow your brushes to air dry, ideally flat or upright in a brush holder to maintain their shape.
The lifespan of a watercolour brush depends on the quality of the brush, frequency of use, and how well it’s cared for. High-quality brushes made with natural hair, such as sable brushes, can last for many years if properly maintained. Synthetic brushes are more affordable but can wear out more quickly with frequent use. To extend the life of your brushes, make sure to clean them properly after each use and store them in a way that prevents damage. Regular cleaning and careful use will help you get the most out of your watercolour brushes.
Watercolour brushes are designed for the fluid, controlled application of water-based paints. While they can be used with other water-based media, such as inks or gouache, they may not perform as well with thicker paints like oil paints or acrylics. However, many artists use watercolour brushes with acrylic paints for blending or fine detail work. If you want to use your watercolour brushes with other media, be sure to clean them thoroughly between uses to avoid contamination and preserve their shape and quality.
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