5 Ways to Use Acrylic Painting Wash Techniques
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Acrylic wash painting is a technique where acrylic paint is diluted with water to create translucent, watercolour-like effects on a surface. It involves applying thin, transparent layers of paint to build up colours and create subtle, soft transitions. So, if you’re looking to test out some acrylic painting wash techniques, this is the perfect guide for you! Learn five different ways you can use the acrylic painting wash technique in your artwork, paintings, sculptures, or other creative hobbies.
Overview:
- Before you start
- 5 acrylic painting wash techniques
- Underpainting
- Creating shadows
- Fog or mist
- Beams of light
- Darklining sculptures or models
Before you start
You'll need to collect your supplies and find a good place to get creative. You will need:
- Acrylic paints
- Acrylic paint brushes of different sizes
- An old toothbrush or a toothbrush you use for art
- Container of clean water
- Rags or paper towels
- Palette knife
- Paint palette
- Easel
- Canvas, art paper, a sculpture, or model
Five acrylic painting wash techniques
1. Underpainting
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Underpainting is the first layer of pigment applied to paper or canvas. It sets a colour tone for the rest of the painting and adds depth to the overall work. By covering the canvas or paper completely with opaque acrylic paint, underpainting provides a solid base for the subsequent washes to adhere to and allows the artist to establish the main elements and shadows with greater control. Once the underpainting dries, transparent acrylic washes can be layered on top to add depth, complexity, and a watercolour-like effect to the painting.
How to do it:
- Choose the paint colours you want to work with.
- Mix your washes. Simply do this by mixing your acrylic paint with a splash of water. Make sure to do each colour in their own separate cups.
- Use a large paintbrush to apply colour to the entirety of the canvas or paper.
- Use a smaller brush to apply layers of colour for objects or the subject of your painting.
- Continue until you are satisfied with the finished product.
2. Creating shadows
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Adding shadows creates depth and realism to your painting, along with enhancing the overall composition by guiding the viewer's eye and creating a sense of drama and mood. You can use the acrylic wash technique to easily create shadows in your artworks.
How to do it:
- Create your washes by mixing your paint with a splash of water. We recommend using dark colours for the washes.
- Pick a brush size that allows you to follow the exterior lines of what you want to shadow in your painting.
- Begin painting over the exterior lines of your object to create distinct shadows.
- You can make several passes to build up the pigment value if you want deeper shadows.
3. Fog or mist
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Fog and mist can add interest, emotion, and movement to your painting. Get creative with the way that the mist settles or curls around objects.
How to do it:
- Use light colours to create your washes. Mist and fog show up when airborne water droplets catch the light, so make sure that the colours you choose reflect your light source.
- You can apply the colour as broadly as you like. Fog and mist don’t always have a uniform thickness, so you may wish to create layers of pigment where more fog or mist has settled. It is also thickest closest to the ground, so start low and work upwards.
- Use a thin brush to create wisps and swirls, especially if you are capturing movement.
- Continue this technique until you are pleased with the final product!
- Beams of light
4. Beams of light
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Adding light beams highlights your subject or can create a sense of awe in your painting. Light beams also create a transformative effect on the overall atmosphere and visual impact. Light beams can evoke a sense of magic, drama, or ethereal beauty, depending on how they are portrayed. They draw attention to specific areas, creating focal points and emphasising the play of light in the scene.
How to do it:
- Mix your washes. We recommend using colours that reflect the source of light in your painting.
- Apply even strokes of acrylic wash to create beams of light emanating from your light source.
- Light beams emerge and become visible because the light is reflecting particles in the air. You can create particles by flicking small dots of wash onto the paper or canvas by using a toothbrush and running your finger over the bristles.
5. Darklining models and sculptures
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Darklining involves applying dark paint or pigment, such as a wash or a thin line, into the crevices of the model or sculpture. This technique creates contrast by defining the edges and contours, enhancing the depth and three-dimensional aspect of the piece. This acrylic wash technique is excellent at showing sculptural details on its own or under additional layers of paint.
How to do it:
- Mix your washes using dark colours, like blacks, greys, and dark blue. The wash shouldn’t be too runny, but should be runny enough to settle easily into the details of the model or sculpture.
- Use a small or medium-sized brush to apply the wash everywhere on the model or sculpture you want to emphasise texture.
- Use a cloth or paper towel to gently dab at the wash on raised smooth areas.
- Continue until you are happy with the outcome.
Unleash your creativity with Art to Art
Find everything you need to test out your new skills at Art to Art. You can stock up on individual acrylic paints to refresh your favourite colours or get the whole set if you’re new to painting! You can also explore our selection of other paint types, such as oil paint and gouache paint. Orders are shipped the same day when placed before 11 AM. Get free shipping when you spend over $100 Australia-wide. Join the Rewards Club to earn points toward free items or discounts.
Resources and inspiration:
- Acrylic Painting Techniques
- Advanced Acrylic Painting Techniques
- Brush Techniques For Acrylic Painting
