Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Render Special Effects In Acrylic Painting

Use a splattering effect to create a field of flowers.


Rendering special effects with acrylic paint gives art work a rich texture. Artists use special brush techniques such as dry brushing and splattering along with techniques such as scraping and combing. Dry brushing creates a broken texture often applied to render rough surfaces such as bricks and stones. Splattering adds a texture effect that helps to contrast color. The scraping effect creates sharp-edge objects such as buildings, and the combing effect makes nice abstract-style artwork.


Instructions


Dry Brush


1. Create a brick or stone effect by painting a thick base coat, allowing the brush strokes to show.


2. Load the brush with another shade of paint and blot off with a paper towel or rag. Drag the paint across the canvas in brick shape.


3. Repeat with more layers of colors to create a textured effect.


Splattering


4. Mask off the canvas with newspaper so only the work area shows.


5. Create a coarse splatter by loading the paintbrush with paint and using the index finger to rub across the top of the brush.


6. Create fine splatters by using a toothbrush or diffuser.


Scraping


7. Scrap paint on the surface of the canvas using a plastic card or spatula. This creates a thin layer across the surface. Let dry.


8. Apply a second coat of paint using a different color, allowing some of the first color to show through. Let dry.


9. Continue applying coats of paint as needed to build up color and texture.


Combing


10. Apply a layer of paint. Let dry


11. Apply a second layer of paint using a different color. Keep the layers of paint thin. If you apply them too thickly, the paint will form ridges.


12. Drag a comb through the paint to create fine lines, and allow the first coat of paint to show through. Experiment with combing in different directions.


13. Repeat the process as needed to create an abstract piece of art.