The Sketching Pad
  • Art Programs
    • Drop In Hours
    • Painting Parties
    • Spirit Nights
    • Weekly Classes >
      • Adult Classes
      • Kids' Classes
    • Special Events
    • Clay Dates
    • Field Trips >
      • Field Trips at The Sketching Pad
      • Field Trips at Your Facility
    • Camps
  • Art Kits
    • Canvas & Sign Painting Kits >
      • Fall Project Central!
      • Sorority-Themed Canvas Painting Kits
      • Kids' Favorite Canvas Painting Kits
      • Guys' Favorite Canvas Painting Kits
      • Your Favorite Fandoms
    • Mosaic Kits
    • Pottery Painting Kits
    • Art Lessons at Home
  • Hire an Artist!
    • Seasonal Window Painting >
      • Seasonal Window Painting
      • Seasonal Window Stickers
    • Murals
    • Drawings & Paintings
ARE YOU READY TO FEEL
​LIKE an acrylic painting expert?

YOUR CONFIDENCE LEVEL IS ABOUT TO SKYROCKET!

Welcome to The Sketching Pad's Acrylic Basics Guide, a series of tips and videos created exclusively for our email list subscribers and those who have purchased our painting kits!  We have spent years listening carefully to what trips people up when they are new to painting, and these tips and videos were created to be a quick and simple answer to those early questions. We're so delighted that you're here!

​Here at The Sketching Pad, we believe that when people are given the right materials and a few very simple techniques, they can create a beautiful work of art, regardless of their previous experience. Here are just a few things that are true of just about every painting!
Picture

START WITH YOUR BACKGROUND!

It can be so tempting to jump into the part of your painting that feels the most exciting. However, your painting experience will go most smoothly if you do your background first, and then work your way to your main subject of your painting, and then put the smallest details on top!
Picture

SOME COLORS WILL NEED TWO COATS

If your canvas is showing through your paint or your colors are looking streakier than you'd like, just let your painting dry, and add another coat! This is especially helpful with skintones. They almost always need two coats of paint to appear smooth.
Picture

EVERY PAINTING
​HAS AN AWKWARD STAGE

Don't panic if your painting is looking strange halfway through. This is so normal! Just like people, paintings have awkward stages. Don't give up - you just aren't finished yet!
Picture
Here are just a few more things to help throughout your painting process!
  • Keep in mind that acrylic paint does not come out of clothes very well, so wear an apron or clothes that can get messy! 
  • If you make a mistake, just let your painting fully dry (or dry it with a hair dryer) and paint right over it! If your mistake isn't covering well, put a layer of white paint between your mistake and your final layer of paint!
  • When you're done painting, rinse your brushes thoroughly with soap and water so you can use them again for your next painting experience! If you let the paint dry in your brushes, you will not be able to salvage them later.
  • If you have any questions along the way, just shoot us a text with a photo of your painting and your question to 678-787-2552. We're here to help!

LET'S DO THIS!

Mixing the perfect color can seem daunting at first. In this tutorial, Laura shows you the basics of how to mix a lighter version of any color!
You want the perfect color for your masterpiece, but you don't always know the best way to make colors darker. In this tutorial, Laura shows us how make adjustments to our colors to make it perfect for our paintings!
Mixing skintones is seen as a challenge, but it's simpler than you might think! In this video, Laura shows you how to mix three different colors, so you can make a wide range of skin tones for your masterpieces!
Everyone loves a gorgeous ombré effect, and in this video, Laura shows us how to blend from one color to another! A lovely gradient adds beauty to any masterpiece, whether you're painting on canvas, pottery, or a sign.
Grass is one of the most common textures found in any landscape. In this tutorial Laura demonstrates how to use your brush to make delicate and natural strokes to look just like blades of grass.
If you're painting stars, painting snow, or just want to add some excitement and life to your painting, splatter painting is a great way to do it! Don't just start throwing paint around - use our technique to get perfect splatters every time!
With so many leaves to paint, foliage can seem overwhelming at first. But with a little practice, it's really quite simple! Stippling is a fantastic way to add texture to your landscapes and flower paintings. 
Painting accent lines is one of our favorite ways to add character and life to any painting! With a few quick light and dark accents, your painting will go from flat and dull to an eye-catching masterpiece!
When painting signs, the most popular way to create a nice background is by adding a wash. It looks like a stain and preserves your wood grain while adding a nice color to your piece.
A skill every artist should know is how to paint a beautiful sky! In this tutorial Laura demonstrates 2 simple techniques on how to add clouds to a landscape.
You don't have to know how to draw to be an excellent painter! In this tutorial Laura shows you how to easily transfer any image to a canvas. 
Did you make a mistake in your painting? Smudges, smears, and drips happen. The good news is, with acrylic paint, it's easy to fix!

Picture

    LEARN EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO THROW THE PERFECT PAINTING PARTY!

    Planning an at-home painting party should be fun - not stressful! That's why we're here to help. Sign up here to receive our FREE guide, Every Step to the Perfect At-Home Paint Party!
Send me the free at-home painting party guide!

Foundations 1: Value, Art Lesson Pack

Shop

Foundations 2: Color Theory, Art Lesson Pack

Shop

TAKE YOUR SKILLS TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH OUR DETAILED, AT-HOME PAINTING COURSES!

​Have you ever been intimidated by a blank canvas? Have you ever been unsure of what color to choose for a painting or wondered how to blend paint beautifully? These courses will take the mystery out of creating artwork and will give you confidence moving forward. Not only will you create beautiful drawings and paintings, but you'll know WHY and HOW you did it, so you'll be able to do it again and again.

Picture

HOW TO REMOVE ACRYLIC PAINT FROM CLOTHES

Did you spill paint on your favorite jeans? Don't panic! We've got you covered. 

​You can try to be careful, but when you're painting canvases, spills happen! We get asked ALL the time how to get acrylic paint out of clothes. We've tested a variety of products and found you the best possible way to get paint out of clothes!
HOW TO REMOVE ACRYLIC PAINT FROM CLOTHES
STAFF        MISSION & VISION        HISTORY        BLOG        CONTACT        678-787-2552        924 Center Street, Olde Town Conyers
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Art Programs
    • Drop In Hours
    • Painting Parties
    • Spirit Nights
    • Weekly Classes >
      • Adult Classes
      • Kids' Classes
    • Special Events
    • Clay Dates
    • Field Trips >
      • Field Trips at The Sketching Pad
      • Field Trips at Your Facility
    • Camps
  • Art Kits
    • Canvas & Sign Painting Kits >
      • Fall Project Central!
      • Sorority-Themed Canvas Painting Kits
      • Kids' Favorite Canvas Painting Kits
      • Guys' Favorite Canvas Painting Kits
      • Your Favorite Fandoms
    • Mosaic Kits
    • Pottery Painting Kits
    • Art Lessons at Home
  • Hire an Artist!
    • Seasonal Window Painting >
      • Seasonal Window Painting
      • Seasonal Window Stickers
    • Murals
    • Drawings & Paintings