To blend acrylic paint like oil paint, you need to work quickly and use specific techniques to maintain a smooth, soft transition between colors, as acrylics dry faster than oils.
Techniques for Blending Acrylics Like Oils
Acrylics' fast-drying nature makes blending challenging, but it's certainly achievable. Here's how you can mimic oil paint blending techniques:
1. Working Wet-on-Wet
The most important thing is to work wet-on-wet. This method ensures the acrylic paint stays workable for as long as possible.
- Apply paint quickly: Load your brush with paint, and get it on the canvas in the desired area without delay. Don't let the paint dry on your palette or on the canvas before blending.
2. Blending with a Clean, Dry Brush
The reference video provided the below information on blending acrylics:
- Softening Streaks: As highlighted in the provided video, use a clean, dry brush to soften any streaky parts in the paint application.
- Back and Forth Motion: Gently go back and forth over the areas you wish to blend, which is what the reference says to do, to smooth out the transition between colors.
- Wiping the Brush: The reference video advises that when too much pigment is picked up on the brush, it's important to wipe it off. This keeps your colors clean.
3. Using a Blending Medium or Retarder
- Acrylic Retarders: These mediums slow down the drying time of acrylics, giving you more time to blend. Mix a small amount of retarder into your paint on your palette, or directly into the paint when working.
- Glazing Medium: A glazing medium can help the colors blend more transparently. This method is good for layering and creating subtle transitions.
4. Other Tips and Tricks
- Misting: Lightly misting the canvas with water can also keep the paint wet a bit longer, though you must be careful not to over-saturate your work.
- Palette Choice: Using a stay-wet palette is a great choice to keep your paints from drying out too fast on your palette.
- Small Sections: Don't try to blend a large area all at once. Work in small sections to manage the paint's drying time.
Summary
| Technique | Description | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Working Wet-on-Wet | Applying paint quickly while still wet, before it begins to dry. | Keeps paint workable. |
| Clean, Dry Brush | Using a dry brush to soften streaks, blend and smooth out transitions | Creates soft color blends. |
| Blending Medium | Mixing a retarder or glazing medium with the paint. | Extends open time for better blending. |
| Misting Canvas | Lightly misting with water. | Helps extend open time, avoid over saturation. |
| Small Sections | Working in smaller areas at a time. | Managing the paint's drying time. |
