Before you dive into your first painting, it helps to understand a few core techniques that make acrylics so flexible and fun. These methods teach you how to control color, build depth, create texture, and move confidently across the canvas. You don’t need to master everything at once. Simply exploring these techniques will help you discover your personal style while developing real artistic skill. Each one is beginner-friendly and works beautifully with high-quality materials like Milan Acrylic Paints and Mixed Media Brushes.
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Acrylics work best when the paint is rich, smooth, and highly pigmented. Our Acrylic Paints give beginners a strong start because the colors stay vibrant, blend beautifully, and layer cleanly. These paints also maintain consistency whether you are working thin and transparent or thick and textured. With a small selection of essential hues, you can mix nearly any color you need while learning the basics of value, temperature, and harmony. Outside of our product line, we suggest starting with Gamblin or Golden paints.
Your brushes can completely change how your acrylic paint behaves on the canvas. The Mixed Media Brush Set from our Art Store includes a versatile range of bristles and shapes that help you block in color, create soft transitions, and add precise details. These brushes hold paint well, rinse easily, and give you the control needed for both expressive strokes and fine edges. For beginners, having a dependable brush set makes the learning process smoother and much more enjoyable. to learning more about brushes, check out our guide to brushes.
Start with big shapes and simple areas of color.
Helps you plan the composition clearly from the beginning.
Use a larger Mixed Media Brush and acrylic to map out the main forms and values.
Acrylics dry quickly, making them excellent for building depth.
Apply multiple thin or thick layers to create dimension and interest.
Begin with darker tones, then layer lighter tones over them.
Ideal for adding soft texture, atmosphere, and broken color.
Load a small amount of paint on a dry brush and skim lightly across the surface.
Works beautifully with the mixed media brushes designed for textured application.
Acrylics dry fast, so blending requires timing and gentle strokes.
Keep your brush slightly damp and work while edges are still wet.
Milan Acrylic Paint blends smoothly, especially with the help of a slow-drying medium.
Thin layers of transparent color add subtle shifts in tone and richness.
Mix a small amount of acrylic paint with gloss or matte medium to create a glaze.
Perfect for shadows, highlights, and adjusting color harmony.
Create a hazy or broken color effect by dragging light layers of dry paint.
Ideal for skies, backgrounds, and soft, atmospheric transitions.
Use a lightly loaded Mixed Media Brush for best results.
Apply thicker paint or texture paste to create raised strokes and dimension.
Palette knives and firm brushes give you strong, expressive marks.
Milan Acrylic Paint holds its shape beautifully for this technique.
Once your main layers are complete, switch to smaller brushes for crisp edges.
Thin your paint slightly for clean, controlled lines.
Use fine-tipped brushes in your Mixed Media set to bring clarity to focal points.
Acrylic painting is a fun and forgiving medium that gives beginners endless room to grow. With techniques like layering, dry brushing, and glazing, you can explore color, texture, and expression at your own pace. As you practise, you’ll discover your unique style and gain confidence with every stroke. If you want a guided path that helps you build real artistic skill, join our Beginner Art Program. This step-by-step training takes you through drawing, acrylic painting, creativity, and personal style, all within a supportive global community. Start today and let your artistic journey unfold.