I would like to copy an acrylic painting style I've seen - any ideas how this is done? (see pic)?

Question

Here is the picture of a piece of art I saw:

http://www.geocities.com/ginatalking/f186_1.jpg

I really love the hasty, blended style but I think this would have to be done quickly as Acrylics are fast-drying. Do any artists out there know how to achieve this effect? Would you start with the darker colours then blend to light, or vice versa? Any ideas welcome... I'm only an amateur artist so be gentle! ;-) Thanks.

In response - it was actually on Ebay, but has ended now so I can't find it. Acrylics were listed as the medium so it's definitely not oils. Thanks, keep 'em coming!

Answer 1

I believe this painting was done with a pallet knife. Giving it that thick look. In all reality it was done with oil paints making the blending of colors a whole hack of a lot easier. But you could use acrylics and use a product called extender which slows the drying time down. One technique you can try is to put the extender in a fine mist spray bottle along with some water and spray the surface of what you are painting with the mixture... then begin to paint. All the time you are painting you need to keep your spray bottle ready to spray again and again over the surface of what you are painting. I think this is where some people go wrong with using the extender. They think if they just put it in the paint that should do it for the entire time they are painting... and it does work that way, but better in the spray bottle. Caution should be used to fine the right fine mist sprayer for you. If the mist comes out to big you get spatters instead of mist and that will mess up everything. Also, if you want to just use the extender mixed with your paints, be sure to use just a little. If you use more than just a little your paint will separate and will not adhere to your surface as it should. As far as going from dark to light is a whole lot easier then the other you find your darkest spot and blend from there hope this helps.

Answer 2

I paint with acrylics but havent ever tried anything this adventurous! Acrylics are really thick paints so you will get the texture of the picture right with them. Slap it on quite thick so it doesnt dry straight away. Id start with the background and work from light to dark as you can get the lightest colour on the pic and then keep adding darker to get the colour blends right. The add the flowers after! Good luck, its gonna look fab!

Answer 3

Doc, what you're presenting here seems quite different from much of the other artwork you've had us comment on. These are really based on the human figure, and the reversal of color rather than abstract images. What bothered me most about blue moon is that it really looks like a drawing on an (old fashioned chalk board; a blackboard) ... then just has the bit of blue added. That blackboard feel carries over to the others as well, though not as much. I guess growing up in the 60s - 70s with C34 color process, the negatives were on a sepia tinted acetate. Even the B/W that I processed at home wasn't as high-contrast; stark as your images. Don't get me wrong, I like the images and subject matter (especially "Now What?" but they are far different from the images that you normally present.

Answer 4

Acrylics don't dry quick enough to stop you from achieving that effect. A quality base to paint on is a good start. To me it seems there are many layers of paint there too. I'd start with a mid-tone all over and add dark colours on first, if you add light on first then end up with too much dark on top you may find it difficult to correct the lighter tones. Use a dry brush aswell, inbetween washes blot it well with kitchen roll or something. Experiment and have fun discovering what works!!!

Answer 5

Check out http://www.wetcanvas.com there's loads of tips and loads of people to ask in the forums.

Answer 6

Cant help I'm afraid, but it it a truly wonderful pic. Who is it by?