How to Blend Acrylics Like Oils

Video Description

CHAPTERS Click on the time stamp to jump to a specific chapter 0:00 Introduction 0:15 Using OPEN acrylics or regular acrylics with retarder 2:00 How to create smooth blends with acrylics 5:02 Creating soft edges with acrylics 8:32 How to keep acrylic paint wet on the palette 9:53 Finishing touches 10:22 the finished still life painting In this video, I demonstrate how to blend acrylics in a manner that's similar to oils. The secret to blending acrylics is to use acrylic retarder to prevent the paint from drying out too soon. I prefer to use Golden OPEN acrylics because the retarder is already mixed into the paint. I usually blend acrylics after I apply the colors to the canvas. Another tip is to blend the paint with a soft brush. I also demonstrate how to create soft edges with acrylics. Soft edges have a blurry, out of focus appearance to them. The soft edges make the hard edges stand out more. This is a way to guide the viewers eye to the focal point. Judging the colors while placing them on a white canvas can be tricky. I find that I have to adjust the values as the painting progresses. ART SUPPLIES & TOOLS USED IN THIS VIDEO All of the links that lead to Blick Art Materials or Amazon are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I earn a commission at no cost to you. GOLDEN OPEN ACRYLICS I used Golden OPEN acrylics for this painting. They're convenient because the retarder is already in the paint, in the proper proportions. The link below contains sets of small tubes of OPEN acrylics so you can try them out, or you can buy the standard sized tubes of individual colors. http://shrsl.com/2j5m9 THE COLORS I USED IN THIS PAINTING Titanium White Blick http://shrsl.com/3bvcp Amazon https://amzn.to/334LyRp Quinacridone Magenta Blick http://shrsl.com/3bvcq Amazon https://amzn.to/34rtEt7 Ultramarine Blue Blick http://shrsl.com/3bvcs Amazon https://amzn.to/3f7k9RX Hansa Yellow Opaque Blick http://shrsl.com/3bvcu Amazon https://amzn.to/3sYSB9w Carbon Black Blick http://shrsl.com/3bvcx Amazon https://amzn.to/3qRnNoe ACRYLIC RETARDERS You can add retarder to any brand of acrylics to make them dry slower. This is useful if you already have a brand of acrylics that you prefer. Follow the instructions, you usually don't want to add any more than 25%-30% retarder because it may take too long to dry. The paint may remain tacky even after it dries if you add too much. Golden Retarder http://shrsl.com/2j5mc Liquitex Slo-Dri Medium http://shrsl.com/2j5me Winsor & Newton Galeria Retarder http://shrsl.com/2j5mi Grumbacher Artists Acrylic Retarder http://shrsl.com/2j5ml BRUSHES I use mostly synthetic brushes that are made for acrylics like these ones from Robert Simmons http://shrsl.com/3a082 The softer brushes are for watercolor. ACRYLIC PALETTES The Masterson Stay Wet Palette is a large plastic box with a tight fitting lid. It comes with a sponge and palette paper. I find that I don't need the sponge to keep the OPEN acrylics wet, but you may need to use it if you live in a very hot and dry climate. It works better than a Tupperware container because the sides of the wall are lower, and it's large. Here is the 12"x16" Masterson Palette I use in the video http://shrsl.com/2j5n4 This is the smaller palette that I store inside of the Masterson Palette. http://shrsl.com/2j5nc Since the OPEN acrylics stay wet for so long, I never really have to peel the paint off. I just clean it with a wet paper towel or rag. I find the microfiber towels work great. MICROFIBER TOWELS I bought a large package of these on Amazon, the link is below. The small fibers create more surface area than paper towels and they do seem to make it easier to clean things. They work great for drying paint brushes and cleaning palettes. Make sure that you handle them properly if you use them with oil paints because they can spontaneously combust. https://amzn.to/2GdvMsn TABLE TOP EASEL This is where you can buy the easel I use in the video: http://shrsl.com/2j5ni I have been using this table top easel for some time now and I like how portable it is. The top folds down and it has a handle which makes it easy to carry. PAINT SPATULA This paint spatula from Princeton is handy tool to have in the studio. http://shrsl.com/2j5no CANVAS PANELS I've tried out a number or brands of canvas panels, but I'm really fond of the ones made by Raymar. They're acrylic primed and they're backed with a gray melamine that makes them even more resistant to warping. You can buy them on Blick http://shrsl.com/2j5nr USING PENCIL TO SKETCH ON CANVAS Pencils with harder leads are less likely to smear as you paint over them. I discuss this in-depth on my blog. https://drawandpaintforfun.com/best-pencil-on-canvas/ MUSIC: "A Night Alone" by TrackTribe