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You decided that you want to dive head first into painting with acrylics but have no idea where to start. Every tutorial gives you a new way, a new surface, a new brand, and a whole lot of “nevers” and “don’ts”. So what is it that you are supposed to do? Where are you supposed to go? What do you even buy?
I feel your pain. Painting with acrylics has always made complete sense to me. Acrylics dry fast, they are easy to use, you only need a few additional supplies, and you can whip out a new painting in an hour and have it hanging on the wall before bed time. And as an added bonus, they are super easy to clean-up and we all know how much I hate that part.
A few things you absolutely need to start painting with acrylics:
- Some type of surface
- Acrylic paint
- Brushes
- Coffee cup, or jar, for water
- Old t-shirt, or some paper towels
- Optional: primer, either household variety or Gesso
- Something to paint
Sounds so easy, and doable. Everything you need is probably already somewhere in your house and if not, we could find some perfectly legit alternatives to what you don’t have. Nothing has to be “professional” quality. We aren’t selling our paintings for millions, or billions, yet. We are just trying to satisfy our need for brains, I mean art.
Let’s gather some supplies using My ultimate supply list for beginners or you can keep reading for a more in depth overview of options.
Surfaces for Painting with Acrylics
One great thing about painting with acrylics is that they can go on just about any surface with very little prep. Let’s break down some places I personally use acrylic paints, and what I used to prep them for acrylic paints.
Sketchbooks
If you have a sketchbook that has thicker paper this is a very solid choice, it is worth having a spot where you can watch your artist self grow from the beginning. Thinner paper may have some unexpected tantrums that make the process more difficult. Finding a sketchbook labeled “Mixed Media” will have fewer tantrums.
Prep needed: No prep is needed, but you can put a thin layer of Gesso or Acrylic paint. This will help alleviate “blank page syndrome”.
Repurposed books
Much like the sketchbook, this is a solid choice for keeping all your experiments in one place. One small caveat: the paper may curl, way more than expected. But you won’t be scared off by “blank page syndrome”, and can comfortably stash this away from prying eyes while you learn and explore.
I actually use one of these repurposed books for those “not so good” days when I am blocked and can’t art. There’s something freeing about it. The pages are already ruined by a bunch of words I don’t want to read. So no harm, no foul.
Prep needed: No prep is needed, but you can put a thin layer of Gesso or Acrylic paint if you choose.
Canvases
Canvases are a go-to when it comes to any type of painting. They come in various sizes, and thicknesses and are usually pre-primed so you can just grab one and go. We have two versions to choose from:
Stretched canvases: these are usually wood frames wrapped with canvas, and primed. More expensive than canvas boards and easier to hang.
Canvas boards: canvas wrapped cardboard core. These are less expensive but prone to warping.
I would suggest trying them both, just to do it.
Prep needed: No prep is needed, but you can put a thin layer of Gesso or Acrylic paint if you choose.
If you want less canvas texture you can add a few layers of Gesso, lightly sanding in between layers, to make a smoother surface. I would suggest a fine grit sand paper and an outside environment.
To reduce the occasional canvas peek through since it is a textured surface, apply a light neutral tone layer of acrylic to the canvas to fill in those nooks and crannies. An off white or light grey would do, but if you are feeling a bit daring choose a pastel, or a color you normally don’t like, and see how it transforms you, or you it, that’s the great thing about art.
Wood
Wood panels are another popular choice when it comes to acrylics. You can cut them to size and chose any shape you want. You can also find pre cut bare wood projects at many craft stores.
Prep needed: Sand the entire piece with a bit of fine grit sand paper, with the grain, in an outdoor environment, and wipe it down with a damp cloth when you are done sanding. Follow this with a layer or two of primer, you can pick this up from any hardware store, or Gesso, since we want to put a barrier between our paint and the bare wood, otherwise the wood will just suck in all the paint and all of our hard work will be lost.
Rocks/Bricks
Rocks, and bricks, are a popular item to paint with acrylics as they are easy to find, easy to get rid of, a fun way to spend a day of arting. Also a great way to contribute some art to anyone’s garden, including your own.
Prep needed: Wash with soap and water, let dry completely. Add 2 layers of primer before painting with acrylics and, after you have completed your artwork, add a layer or two of outdoor varnish.
Cardboard
If you struggle with “I don’t want to ruin it”, cardboard is a great choice because it is easy to find, easy to throw away, no commitment or stress needed. In all honesty, cardboard has been a lifesaver. When I am not confident in my abilities after a long hiatus, or when I’m broke and can’t just waste canvases, cardboard has come to the rescue. I still have all the lil paintings I’ve done. They aren’t terrible, there’s no need to stress because, as I’ve already stated, those paintings are easy to throw away.
Prep needed: A layer of primer, Gesso, or Acrylic paint. It’s just cardboard and you can paint on it, but it’s brown, and coated in god knows what.
What Kind of Paint Should I Use: Paint Options
Craft paint
Craft paints are usually my go to for painting with acrylics since they are inexpensive, easy to use, readily available in stores (including home improvement varieties), and come in many, many colors. You don’t need to spend a lot or learn color theory in order to mix your preferred colors, and they probably have more colors to pick from than you will ever want to use.
For starting out, these paints are probably the most forgiving so you can worry more about what to paint and less about why the paint is not working as expected.
Tubed artist Paints
I will be 100% honest here, I have major issues with tubed acrylic paints. It might have a lot to do with the fact that I prefer oils over acrylics, and maybe, just maybe, my tubed acrylics know this and they have figured out a way to get back at me. I really don’t know. I just can’t seem to figure out how to mix them, they seem too opaque to me. Again, oil painter speaking here, could just be a total operator error. But I am trying to understand them, I really am. Craft paints and markers just seem to work better for what I want them to do.
But my promise to you: I will figure them out!
Paint Markers
These come in a variety of colors and tip sizes and, if you are anything like me, having a pen in hand is a more comfortable than a brush, especially for outlines and details. I like having the permanence, and color selection, of paint with more control.
It feels a lot like having a marker in hand only these markers lay on top of one another quite nicely. Layering is actually a possibility with paint markers, and without a mess, as long as you have the patience to let things dry.
What Should I Paint: Choosing a Subject
This is probably the hardest choice to make when it comes to creating art. What should I make? How about:
- Pick a Favorite
- Song lyric
- Movie quote
- Movie Scene
- Album cover
- Food or restaurant
- Use your Phone
- Image gallery – choose randomly or paint them all
- Apps – paint your favorite app icon, or any icon, make them all butts, or flowers, or both
- A conversation you had recently – paint it (I had one about how to get rid of an unwanted katana)
- Gaming
- Screenshot
- Lore
- Flora and Fauna
- Your character
- Family/Friends
- Ask what they want a painting of that’s what all of these were
The great thing about all of these is that the images are readily available to you. Print them out, trace them, transfer them any way you see fit, I will not judge. I just want you to paint, and paint you shall!
PSA: I am not condoning stealing of other peoples art and calling it your own, just so we are clear.
Ultimate Painting with Acrylics Supply List for Beginners
- Craft paints in a variety of colors – your choosing
- Stretched canvas – 3×3, 5×7, 8×10
- Old coffee mug with water for rinsing brushes
- Brushes – your choosing
- Paper towel for drying brushes
