If you've ever found yourself wrestling with the task of painting smooth, seamless gradients with acrylic paint, take comfort in the fact that you're not the only one. This is a common hurdle that many artists, both professional and hobbyist, face. The culprit behind this challenge is the fast drying nature of acrylic paint, which can make mastering gradients a bit of a puzzle. However, we're here to share some valuable tips that will make your gradient blending journey a breeze! Let's dive into our first tip!
1. USE A LARGE BRUSH
Here's my top tip for creating seamless gradients with acrylic paint, and it's a game-changer. Given the fast-drying nature of acrylic, using a larger brush can significantly enhance your blending process. With a larger brush, you can cover more surface area, work faster, and achieve those beautiful, smooth blends you've been aiming for. Remember, your brush doesn't have to be massive; just avoid using tiny detail brushes for blending. If you'd like to learn more about what shape of brush would be best for blending, check out our post on Paintbrushes Every Artist Needs In Their Arsenal!
2. SLOW DOWN DRYING TIME
Of course, you can work with your paint very quickly before it dries down, but that can be stressful and more hassle than it's worth! If you're like me and prefer to take your time, however, there is a way to slow the speed at which your paint dries, and no, it's not by switching to oil paint! It's a fantastic additive medium called retarder that slows the drying process of acrylic substantially, giving you ample time to get those beautiful seamless blends. The best part is that most craft stores like Michael's and Hobby Lobby sell it, so you don't have to go to a specialty art supply store to track it down!
3. USE THE RIGHT KIND OF ACRYLIC PAINT
Did you know there are different classifications of acrylic paint? Heavy Body, Soft Body, and Fluid are all useful for various styles and techniques! We're only going to talk about Soft Body today because it's the best kind for what you'll be doing: blending! The soft body has a lighter, creamy consistency, like yogurt or buttercream icing, which makes it ideal for blending. Here's why! Being a lighter but not watery consistency, it has enough substance to maintain excellent coverage and pigment, avoiding thin, patchy areas. Still, it's not so stiff that you can't get it smooth. It's the perfect happy medium and that's precisely why we include soft body in our painting kits!
PRACTICE YOUR GRADIENTS WITH OUR PAINTING KITS!
Our canvas painting kits include everything you'll need to make a painting you'll be proud of, from quality soft body acrylic paint in all of the colors you'll need, brushes, a pre-sketched canvas, and a full-length video tutorial to take you through all of the techniques you'll need to recreate our paintings your way!
4. KEEP YOUR BRUSHES CLEAN
This next tip may seem obvious, but it's actually very easy to forget! The best way to avoid muddy blends is to clean your paintbrushes well between colors. For example, if you're doing a gradient from black to red to pink to white, you don't want a lot of color cross-contamination, so you'll want to clean your brushes between each section. There is no need to use soap either; just clean water and a paper towel or a rag will do the trick!
5. CONSIDER COLOR THEORY
Depending on the colors you want to blend, you may need some basic color theory info. Don't worry; it's not as complicated as it sounds! The most important thing to remember is that if you blend the wrong colors, they'll most likely turn brown or gray. The easiest way to avoid that is by using colors next to each other on the color wheel; for example, blending blue with purple will result in a beautiful, vivid color, whereas blending blue with orange will make brown. This is because complementary colors cancel each other out to create neutral colors. If you want to learn more about complementary colors and how they interact, check out our blog post on How To Choose A Cohesive Color Palette Using Color Theory!
ARE YOU MORE OF A VISUAL LEARNER?
We are too! That's why we made Acrylic Basics, where you can find video tutorials for gradients, mixing skin tones, splatter painting, and so much more!
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Don't settle for the usual Easter party this year! We have some unique and exciting ideas to make your celebration stand out. From creative activities and DIY additions to delicious food and drinks, this guide has everything you need to plan a memorable Easter party that both kids and adults will love!
Remember that if you need any extra inspiration, we have a Pinterest Board full of ideas that will be perfect for your party! Now that that's out of the way, let's hop right in!
GET PREPARED TO THROW THE PERFECT PAINTING PARTY
Planning a painting party for the first time or even the fifth can be daunting. What if you forget something crucial? Worry no longer; our free Painting Party guide will take you through everything you need to have a successful, fun painting party with your loved ones this Easter!
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Mosaics are so much fun to make, but they aren't the tidiest DIY project you can work on, especially for kids. That being said, there are many ways to make cleaning up for mosaic projects easy! This post covers three tips for having a mess-free mosaic party so you can focus on all of the fun mosaics have to offer. Let's get into it!
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NOW THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO KEEP THINGS TIDY...
Are you ready for more? If you want to be extra prepared for your mosaic party then you'll love Our Guide To An Absolutely Stunning Mosaic. In the guide we cover the supplies you'll need, instructions, and some extra tips to give you all of the confidence you need to succeed!
DON'T FORGET THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!
You and your guests will be so at ease while using our Mosaic Kits! You'll have everything you need to create something just right for you, from beautiful glass and ceramic tiles to grout, instructions, and much more. You'll be able to kick back and enjoy your creation!
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There's been a lot of talk about love with Valentine's Day being this month, but have you checked in on yourself lately? Finding the energy, motivation, or courage to make time for yourself and tap into your creativity can be challenging. I want you to look back at the past few weeks, months, or even years, when was the last time you really took a whole day to yourself? When was the last time you truly fed your creativity? It's starving!
I understand that it can be extremely hard to set aside time for yourself with work, school, commuting, errands, and so much more, but it's necessary for your mental well-being to take the time to take care of yourself! One of the best things you can do for yourself is create; it's so fulfilling to make something with your hands and say, "I did that!" TAP INTO CALM WITH A PAINTING KIT
This post isn't necessarily supposed to contain information you've never heard before, but all of the things we included are great reminders that we try to use as a way to show some self-love and care, too!
Sometimes, the most rejuvenating thing you can do is have quality time with your friends or family, with no distractions, just you and the people you love spending time together.
Break out a board game, have a picnic, put together a puzzle, bake a cake, or do anything else you're in the mood for; find a way to actually engage with your people! If you're really introverted and people don't quite have an inspiring, energizing effect on you, you can also connect with your pets by taking them for a walk, playing, or even just snuggling up to watch a movie!
Honestly, sometimes we all need to get up and wake up our bodies and minds. When I'm having trouble getting into the swing of things with a new painting, I love to get up and go for a short walk, but you can also do a nice, quick yoga routine, drink some coffee or tea, or turn on your favorite upbeat playlist and jam out!
If you're having trouble getting your energy levels up, though, you might not be meeting all of your body's needs. Try to take the time to eat nutritious food, drink water, or take a nap. Listening to your body in these cases is so important!
Focusing is much easier said than done, especially nowadays. When you're ready to sit down and paint, try putting your phone on silent and avoiding checking every notification that pops up.
If you're like me and that still doesn't work, try doing some meditation, specifically breathing exercises. There are so many great apps with guided meditation, like Calm and my favorite, Balance! It can also help to sharpen your focus by getting outside with your phone on silent or turned off and noticing things going on around you. Pay attention to the sounds and sights for even just a few minutes. GAIN CONFIDENCE IN YOUR ART AND HAVE FUN WHILE DOING IT
Take the stress out of painting and have fun with it! Our guide here will give you valuable tips and techniques to paint things from clouds to skin tones with acrylic paint!
I hope you've gotten a lot of value from this guide, and you can use these tips to dig into your creativity!
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THE PERFECT ACTIVITY
MUSHY MUSIC
DARLING DECORATIONS
FABULOUS FOODS
DAZZLING DESSERTS
DECADENT DRINKS
GET PREPARED FOR THE PAINTING PORTION OF YOUR DATEFIND KITS FOR FUTURE DATES
Thanks for reading! If you use any of our ideas, we'd love to see them; you can tag us on Instagram at @thesketchingpad for a chance to be featured on our page!
YOU MAY FALL IN LOVE WITH THESE OTHER POSTSPicture this: you've just finished a gorgeous sketch for a brand-new painting or decided on a design for your latest crochet blanket, but you need to figure out a color scheme, and you're unsure how to choose one that looks good. Don't worry; we've got you covered with our three favorite color patterns for creating a cohesive color palette! Before we get into it fully, you may want to check out our blog post on Why Contrast Is The Key To Visually Appealing Art. Without an understanding of contrast, your pieces may appear flat and dull, even with a gorgeous color palette!
This pattern will provide you with a great chance to play around with color theory and learn to understand how colors interact with each other, making it invaluable to beginner and seasoned artists alike! DO YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND COLOR THEORY EVEN MORE IN DEPTH?
If you'd like even more color palette inspo, check out our Unique Color Palettes For Art board on Pinterest! As a great exercise, you can identify which color palettes on the board fall into the pattern categories we taught you about and which patterns they are! We hope you learned a lot about color theory in this post, and we would love to see how you use these color patterns. Tag us on Instagram at @thesketchingpad for a chance to be featured! DID YOU LOVE THIS POST? CHECK THESE OUT TOO!
Brushes, brushes, brushes, where do you begin? There are a million different kinds, and they all do different things! Which brush is for blending? Which brush is for details? There are so many types that it can be hard to know which you should purchase for your art. We're here to help; here's our crash course on the most popular paintbrushes and their best uses!
THE ROUND BRUSH
THE FLAT BRUSHTHE FILBERT BRUSHTHE FAN BRUSH
THE LINER BRUSH
THE ANGLE BRUSHREADY TO GO BEYOND BEGINNER STATUS?
Our Acrylic Basics guide has tons of videos that will guide you step by step through some of the basic techniques you need to learn to grow as an artist, from how to paint clouds to skin tones and more. You'll start feeling like a pro in no time!
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You can throw a Harry Potter party in many ways, but how do you ensure yours will stand out from the crowd? Creating a unique and memorable experience for your guests can be tricky, but we're here to SPELL out our favorite Hogwarts-themed activities, foods, drinks, and decorations. Before we get into it, I need you to solemnly swear you're up to no good. Ready? Let's begin!
THIS ACTIVITY IS SURE TO GET YOUR ACCEPTED INTO HOGWARTS!
Painting parties are so fun, but if you don't have the right supplies, it can make you feel like a Dementor is after you, and we don't want that! Though the remedy this time isn't chocolate, when you order canvas painting kits from us, we send you everything you'll need, including a canvas with the design drawn out for you. You'll also receive a video tutorial you can pull up on the TV or project on the wall so your guests can follow along! Your guests will have a magical and memorable time painting our Deathly Hollows and Hedwig painting kits!
THESE DECORATIONS WILL EVEN IMPRESS SNAPE!
Decorating is one of my favorite parts of parties, simply because it's the fastest way to transport your guests to another world, in this case, Hogwarts! That's why I love this table set up by Jessica Et Cetra on Pinterest: she takes you right into the Hogwarts dining hall in a way that kids and adults will love. Another absolutely adorable way to bring Hogwarts to your home is with this mini letter confetti from Southern Supply Co. on Etsy!
If you love DIY decorations, these floating candlesticks from Happiness Is Homemade are simply magical! Haley's Momsense also has some great ideas for DIY decorations sure to transport you all to the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Remember, the most critical part of setting the right tone is music! This Spotify playlist holds the complete soundtrack of every single movie in the HP series, all 11 hours! YOU AND YOUR CLASSMATES WILL REVEL IN THESE ROBES!
Now, let's get into character! These DIY Felt House Ties are too cute and will surely get you House Points. Bonus points if you find out everyone's House before they come so that you can make one specific to everyone in attendance. Along with their ties, everyone needs a wand, right? These easy DIY Wands from The Sweeter Side Of Mommyhood are positively perfect!
PERFECT YOUR POTION MAKING WITH THESE DRINKS!
With these fantastic drink recipes, let's raise the bar beyond canned soda for this party. Let's mix up some potions! This Copycat Universal Studios Butterbeer recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for everyone. If you're looking for something a little more adult, this Golden Snitch Cocktail is for you! Check out our Harry Potter Painting Party board on Pinterest for even more drink ideas.
HERE ARE SOME SNACKS THAT HAGRID WOULD APPROVE!
Okay, let's get into the most important part of any party. Food! These easy little Pretzel and Cheese Broomsticks are a perfect little snack while you're painting, and these Caramel Apple Letter Pies are the perfect treat for when you finish your masterpiece! If you want to make a more substantial meal for everyone, check out this guide on How To Throw A Hogwarts Feast. And don't forget; it's Levi-O-sa, not Levio-SA!
Ready to become a pro at throwing painting parties? Keep your mischief managed with our comprehensive guide to painting parties! With our guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about supplies, setting up, and so much more!
KEEP THE MAGIC GOING WITH THESE POSTS!
It's that season again, full of festivities and spending time with friends and family! With this season's return, there's a desperate need for charcuterie. If you're fresh out of ideas for a creative spread, look no further; we've got you!
NO MORE BORING BOARDSHOW ABOUT A CHARCUTERIE BOARD MADE BY YOU?
ADORN YOUR BOARD
Generally, I love to have a good assortment of cheese, meat, veggies, fruits, crackers, jam, hummus, and nuts. Be mindful of any loved ones with allergies or different dietary needs. If I have a particular layout in mind that might contaminate safe foods for someone, I like to make that person a separate mini charcuterie board with foods they can eat, so there's no risk!
If you need some great ideas for how to style your ingredients, check out this guide to styling your prosciutto, see how to make a festive charcuterie wreath, and see a lovely, fresh way to display your brie! WANT ALL OF THE INFO YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE A FLAWLESS MOSAIC CHARCUTERIE BOARD?
This ultimate guide will take you through everything you need to know to make a stunning mosaic, from which supplies to purchase to how to use them step by step, with little bonus tips along the way! If you're ready to get into it, now's the perfect time, especially if you're looking for unique handmade gifts to give your friends and family this season!
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2. Fan brushes aren't ideal for precise details or linework; their shape makes it nearly impossible to guarantee where they will leave their mark on your canvas. Now, let's get into what fan brushes excel at!
Now, you can create a beautiful nature scene with a fan brush. If you use any of these tips, I'd love to see it! You can email me at kits@thesketchingpad.com or tag us on Instagram @thesketchingpad.
READY FOR EVEN MORE?Do you want to learn more art fundamentals but need help figuring out where to start? There's so much to learn it can be daunting, especially with so much information on the internet, and a lot of it uses insider language that is hard to understand as a beginner. That's why we made our Foundations Study Course! It goes into everything you need to know from the start when getting into art, from understanding how to make your art look balanced to color theory and blending in a way that anyone could easily understand all in video format. Take the next step! RELATED POSTS |
hey there!The Sketching Pad has been helping people just like you have fun and stress-free painting experiences for over a decade. Whether we're helping people create masterpieces in person in our studio, or we're guiding people who are painting at home through our painting kits and video tutorials, we are passionate about helping people see that everyone can be an artist with the right tools and guidance! This FREE Acrylic Painting Guide includes:
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