How to Blend Acrylics Like Oils
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- čas přidán 17. 06. 2024
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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.
shrsl.com/2j5m9
THE COLORS I USED IN THIS PAINTING
Titanium White
Blick shrsl.com/3bvcp
Amazon amzn.to/334LyRp
Quinacridone Magenta
Blick shrsl.com/3bvcq
Amazon amzn.to/34rtEt7
Ultramarine Blue
Blick shrsl.com/3bvcs
Amazon amzn.to/3f7k9RX
Hansa Yellow Opaque
Blick shrsl.com/3bvcu
Amazon amzn.to/3sYSB9w
Carbon Black
Blick shrsl.com/3bvcx
Amazon 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 shrsl.com/2j5mc
Liquitex Slo-Dri Medium shrsl.com/2j5me
Winsor & Newton Galeria Retarder shrsl.com/2j5mi
Grumbacher Artists Acrylic Retarder shrsl.com/2j5ml
BRUSHES
I use mostly synthetic brushes that are made for acrylics like these ones from Robert Simmons
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 shrsl.com/2j5n4
This is the smaller palette that I store inside of the Masterson Palette.
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.
amzn.to/2GdvMsn
TABLE TOP EASEL
This is where you can buy the easel I use in the video:
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. The drawer on the bottom opens to the side and the inside is divided into separate compartments for storing pencils, brushes, and tubes of paint.
PAINT SPATULA
This paint spatula from Princeton is handy tool to have in the studio.
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 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.
drawandpaintforfun.com/best-p...
MUSIC: "A Night Alone" by TrackTribe - Jak na to + styl
I don't know if you will still get a notification for this comment but, if you do, I just want to tell you how amazing you are! Not just for your talent as an artist, but for all of the detailed information and links you've included in your description section. So few individuals take the time to add information regarding the products used in a video which either leaves the viewer guessing or backing up the video to try to catch the product names if they're mentioned. So, THANK YOU!
Thanks for leaving such a nice comment! The fact that people find some sort of value in my videos encourages me to make more. 🙂
I'm not an artist but I still like watching your tutorials and seeing your beautiful paintings.
Thanks Wendy!
As a very new painter your tutorials are amazing and exceptionally relaxing to listen to. Thank you so much for sharing 🥰
Blu Tansy you’re welcome! 😊
@@ChrisBreier I see that many painters sketch on the canvas before painting , so i wonder if i should learn to sketch before painting ?
can i replicate this as a begginer or its too soon?
I must agree as a watercolorist and career drawer (guffaw) the amount of hard information with no fluff blew me away, this will drastically change my acrylics!! Pure gratitude 🙇🏻♂️
Your tutorial helped me a lot!!! this is so helpful thank u keep up please!❤
Wow, Chris, this is super. Such simple, wonderful, and practical instructions: As you show and tell it, I can see it. And I can't wait to try it. Thank you. ❤❤❤🎨
Recently started painting and I'm very happy I came across your channel - immensely helpful and given me a new outlook on how to use acrylic paint.
very nice. I appreciate your no nonsense approach. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing your work. The tips about keeping acrylics wet are just what I needed. Thank you. Looking forward to more tips!
Beautiful! Thank you for the great presentation! I learned quite a bit! I love how your copper cup magically appeared....never knew how to accomplish that effect.
Thank you for this tutorial, the tips are super helpful for just starting out doing still life paintings in acrylic.
Thank you so much. You just fixed all my issues in one vid. 👍. Subscribed !
Really like your style of painting. Simple strokes that come together and look very pleasing to the eye.
Direct, clear and insightful. Thank you for sharing this.
I'm like obsessed with acrylics and this video answered alot of my Queries which I've been rendering with from a long a period of time, thank you mate 😊
Your tutorials gave me so much information and knowledge. Thank you.
I’m fairly new to opens but have used them several times now. I’m quickly falling in love with them. Thanks for the tips and information on the palettes!
Thanks for making this demonstration! Very helpful!
Love listening to you. Very relaxing Thank you. I'm an oil painter and know nothing about acrylics. Great video.
Excellent video! Very concise instructions and demonstrates your passion for helping others. Very good!
I really appreciate your way of sharing your tips and knowledge, thanks.
please please think about doing some more lessons the way you explain things is amazing, i have been attending lessons for a year and you explained things in one session that i have been confused about all that time, you are an amazing teacher
Thanks for the encouragement! I plan on posting more videos.soon. I’m also working on making video courses, I just released one on color mixing chrisb.thinkific.com/courses/color-mixing-course
Thank you very much for sharing. Amazingly beautiful art piece and tutorial.
Thank you. I really liked your painting tips and the final painting.
Wow... All I can say is wow and thanks for sharing 🙏😊
I’m so grateful I found your channel, it’s supper detailed yet so simple. It has really helped me understand how to work with acrylic paints
I love 💕 the amount of information you give,💝in this interesting💓💞video thanks for the beautiful💕video you shared.,..
This was very helpful! Thank you !
This is the artist I dream to reached thank you for the tutorials
Lots of good information. Thanks!
Thank you so much for this video! You explain and show the techniques really well. You helped me a lot!
Thanks for this. It's really helpful!
This was helpful and amazing. Thank you❤️
Jaw dropping! Thank you soooo much for making this ! Helps me sooo much !!!
You’re welcome Sarah!
Beautiful painting!! I also like how informative you are. I feel like I'm back in art school getting tips from my professors. 👍🙂
God Bless you sir..I've learned more from your video than all the other videos I've wasted time on..Your a great teacher and Artist,thanks again Brother...
Thanks for the compliment and the encouragement!
I just started painting and this is so helpful! Great video, thank you!
This was great. Thanks so much.
Brilliant piece of work
You’re a really good teacher, thank you! 🫶🏻
Thank you for doing this video! It helped so much and it's very beautiful
Chris, your explanation and demos are superior. you have excellent attention to detail, without getting finicky or tight.
Thanks Michael for the kind words!
Fantastic advice Brier, thank you 👏👏👏👏
Glad it was helpful!
Great video Chris, thank you
Excellent video. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your helpful tips. I have rarely seen similar in other videos. I found them all very helpful and I really like the idea with making a grey out of the remaining colour.
Glad it was helpful!😀
oh my gosh! I have been struggling with blending. I tend to make transition shades for my transition shades and it just makes everything streaky. You put a light, a dark and a transition shade and in one stroke it's all set!! Thank you for sharing.
Glad I found your channel. Best painting technique vids I've found so far. Glad your here and sharing your skills
Thanks! I'm glad that you find my videos useful!
Thank you! Very helpful! ❤️
thanx so much...beautiful, realistic
I subscribed just a few minutes into this tutorial, that says a lot. You're a great teacher!
Thanks! 😊
thankssss!!! you helped me so much!!!!
Interesting process. Thanks very much
Thanks for the tutorial Sir!
Love your video. I use golden for my animal portraits. For teaching my students we mostly use Liquitex and Grumbacher acrylics with the Masterson yellow pallet. I like to use glass to place my paints on for the ease of clean up. Just remember to trim the nubs on the lid of the masterson box so the lid snaps on.
Thank you, you're very helpful. 😃
I’m start learning to pain and start with acrylic for 4-5 months . Just found this video ,thank you ! , it helps me a lot.
You’re welcome! 🙂
wow i really needed this thanks
Thanks sir just the thing I need
Loved it. One day I'll follow one your tutorials with my brush and paints.
Thanks! You should do it, that would be cool!
very helpful, thank you !
You super color mixer..thanksss..harmonious combo...have a great 😊 day Mr Artist...
Thank you. Much appreciated.
SUPERB ! Baroque painting 🙂.
Thank you for this video 😊
thank you!! this helped a lot when i recreated Mars and Venus, Allegory of Peace.
I didn’t use open acrylics, and it is an nightmare trying to get a soft blend. Ended up pleased with the unexpected result. My second and third paintings ever! Going to gift them to mother and friend. Thanks for the video!!
Incredible
thanks, excellent info
I've been following you on instagram and randomly came across your channel when I was searching how to blend paint. ❤️
Perfect❤️
I love it
Really good explanations, helped me a lot, thank you! #subscribed
Wow! As a person who has problems with solvents and some oil paints, I've wanted to try Open Acrylics for a long time, but nobody online goes as deep into the subject as you. Thanks so much!
You're welcome! I don't like using solvents either. Aside from open acrylics, I occasionally use water mixable oils which clean up with soap and water. They have a faint smell of linseed oil which isn't that bad.
Excellent!
I love 💕 the amount of information you give,💝in this interesting💓💞video thanks for the beautiful💕video you shared.
I'm not a great painter, but I'm on a roll with something & couldn't get it smooth with the brushes I have so I went into my makeup bag and took out my Kabuki blending brush and voila!
So happy I found your video, thank you!
I’ve seen other artists use makeup brushes too. I’m glad you found my video helpful!
You are so awesome !!!
WOW suuuper 💕💞
Wow thankyou excellent
Waow so beautiful 😃👍👌👌
excellent!!
I use a needle felting tool to remove any hairs from the brush. It works really well and is a more delicate tool for the job. Love the blending thank you.
Thanks for the tip!
Hello, I am from Iran, and it is very expensive to buy oil paint here, and this method of yours helped me a lot to use my own acrylic paints, thank you for your excellent training❤
Thanks, I'm glad that it helped! 🖌
This is great
great information. im new to painting and learning things. love acrylics. was wondering hot to get them smooth like oils. right now im using liquidtex and amsterdam acrylics. will try the golden ones. and think ill buy some acrylic retarder.
Thank you. 👍
I love painting but im not ver good at it you're videos are so inspirational!!!
Great tutorial. 👏🏻. I have noticed the Golden Retarder really keeps the acrylics wet for a long time. Thanks! Wish you would have split this into two videos to show more how you finished the copper cup.
Thanks! I try to keep my videos down to a length that's watchable, but maybe I'll do a full length video in the future. Thanks for the suggestion! 😀
Thank you
This was such an incredibly helpful video. Was considering trying oils due to my frustration with blending acrylics (though I didn't really want to go the oils route). Will try some of your tips. Thank you!
Thank! If you do try oils, you may want to look into water mixable oils. I like the ones from Cobra.
@@ChrisBreier Thanks for the tip. I did get a few neutrals awhile back to try them without getting into color at first, but, alas, have not had a chance to use them, but check them out. Love your tips about the stay-wet pallet and the Open brand, so am going to experiment a bit in grayscale to not have to invest too much at first until I see how it all goes. Thanks again. Hope you keep making such helpful videos!
Thanks a lot
Thank u my dude
very helpful, I'll try this but a little scared but I will do it anyways!
Here from tiktok! ;) I love your content so much!
Very good
i love the nervousness and insecurity of this guy, its all about the painting not the painter with him, also the line you said about not painting a mug but the random shapes in the right place and right colour ... just sums up painting briliiantly!
Loved this video. Thank you for the tutorial. What type of brush are you using to dry blend? It looks fluffy like a watercolor brush
Just answered my own question by watching the video again lol
Thanks! Yep, it’s a cheap watercolor brush from the craft store. Look for one that doesn’t shed bristles so you don’t have to pick them out of the wet paint.🙂
I like to use glazing medium as a blending tool. I only have one tube of Golden Open that was given to me as a gift. I do like it. It is a little more pricey than their regular paint.
You can also just add retarder to the paints that you already have which is much cheaper than buying an entire set of open acrylics. That should give you some more time for blending. 🖌
@@ChrisBreier
I do have retarder but rarely use it. I worry that I won’t get the ratio right and my paint will gum up. But, I guess I’ll never learn if I don’t use it. Lol it’s a catch-22.
Wish I had seen this when I started with acrylics
Nicely done. I appreciate the way you explained your process as you worked. Seems like an obvious thing, but there are so many videos out there that just play music in the background while we watch the artist work. This is much more helpful. Question regarding the retardant; I bought a bottle of liquitex retardant. I didn't see you apply yours to the paint- is it just like a drop for each base color to keep them wet?
Thanks! I’m using Golden open acrylics in this video which already contain retarder. Liquitex makes a couple of slow drying products. There’s slo dri fluid additive which I believe is pure retarder without any acrylic medium. There’s a limit to how much you should add because it might take a very long time to dry if you add too much to your paint, or it might remain permanently tacky when it does dry. They also make slo dri blending medium which is an acrylic medium with retarder added to it in the right proportions, and I believe you can add as much of this product to your paints as you want. It sounds a little confusing but you just have to figure out which product you have and follow the instructions on the label..
Thanks for the demo. Golds Open are a bit different to regular acrylic plus retarder. I was hoping to see how to use retarder, which comes as a liquid and a gel. As far as I can tell, you can mix the retarder with the paint on the pallet, but the paint doesn’t stay workable for anything like as long as Golden Open. Typically 50% longer, which is just a few minutes instead of the minute (or less) which is as long as it takes for most acrylics to dry. You can also paint the retarder into the bit of canvas you are working with, and then add the acrylic on top, and this keeps it open for a few minutes, though it gets sticky after a while as it goes off. So the technique for using retarder is a bit more involved. Actually, if you don’t want your paint to take nearly as long to dry as (say) Alkyd oils it might be better to use retarder rather than Golden Open (and G.O. are pretty expensive too).
I agree- mixing retarder with regular acrylics is definitely more complicated than just buying tubes of open acrylics! 😄 There are a number of factors that will influence the effectiveness of the retarder. For example, some brands of retarders seem to work better than others. One thing that I want to test out is using Golden open thinner as a retarder. I believe it contains the same retarder and humectants as their line of open acrylics. So it would be interesting to see if it's more effective than regular acrylic retarders. Another important factor is the temperature and humidity levels in your working environment. If your acrylics dry in less than a minute then you must live in a hot and dry location?For me, it's more humid in the summer so my paints don't dry out as quickly. Interactive acrylics are another interesting option. Once they start to dry you can rewet them by misting them with water. They also have an "unlocking formula" that you can spray on to the surface to rewet paint that has recently dried.
@@ChrisBreier thankS. That’s v interesting. I’ve only used Daley Rowney gel. I ought perhaps try the other retardants. I live in the UK but I find the paint dries pretty quickly, within minutes (ok...maybe not less than a minute, but it’s not much more than that).