Acrylics on Canvas: Landscape painting

Although I never learnt how to paint with acrylics, I did learn a few oil painting techniques during one of my college breaks. About 3 months back, I started painting with acrylics.  I read a lot about painting with oil vs. painting with acrylics before I made the decision to give acrylics a try. I am no connoisseur on either, but I enjoyed working with acrylics slightly more than oil. I guess its a little less messy!!!

I am learning to paint landscapes right now and experimenting with different techniques. I had only used flat paint brushes until this point, so I was unaware of the subtle effects a variety of brushes and other tools could bring. Here’s what the end result of one of my experiments with acrylics looks like 🙂

 

Sun setting landscape with Acrylics

 

I would like to share a few fascinating techniques I learnt while painting this landscape.

Tip #1: Use a sponge to paint backgrounds.

Loading sponges with different shades of color and blending it is easier due to the wide surface of the sponge.

Tip #2: Use a narrow palette knife to give texture to a surface.

The mountains (in black) were painted using a narrow palette knife. I let the painting dry after this first run (Stage 1).

 

End of Stage 1

 

Tip #3: Use fan and scruffy brushes to paint different kinds of trees.

I have to admit, I have become a FAN of the fan brush 🙂 The tree on the left was painted using a fan brush and the tree on the extreme right was painting with the help of a scruffy brush. That was stage 2 of my painting.

Tip #4: Use a script liner to paint extremely thin details.

Unfortunately, I did not have a script liner and ended using a regular brush, so the shrubs did not turn out as I expected. I painted the sun using a lot of clear medium so that it gave the appearance of light passing through.

 

End of Stage 2

 

For all of you who enjoy painting, I would highly recommend Donna Dewberry’s book on “Landscape Painting”. The book teaches you each and every tip/technique I mentioned in this blog. I painted this picture by following the book and I was surprised by how easy it was to follow and learn some great techniques. I hope you liked the final outcome 🙂

 

Final outcome