Have you always wanted to try painting but didn’t know where to begin? Acrylic painting is one of the best ways to get started in the art world. It’s simple, affordable, beginner-friendly, and can help you create stunning artwork no matter your skill level. Whether you’re looking to take up a new hobby, express yourself creatively, or try something relaxing and fun, this step-by-step acrylic guide for beginners is the perfect place to start.
🎨 Why Choose Acrylic Painting?
Acrylic paint is extremely popular among beginners because:
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It dries quickly—no long wait times!
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You can clean it with water—no harsh chemicals needed.
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It sticks to many surfaces like canvas, wood, paper, or even rocks.
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It’s versatile—you can make it look thick and textured, or thin and smooth like watercolor.
With acrylics, you’re free to experiment, make mistakes, and paint over them. That’s part of the fun!
🎨 Step 1: Gather Basic Supplies
Before you dive in, you’ll need a few essential items:
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Acrylic Paint Set – A basic set with primary colors (red, blue, yellow), plus black and white, is perfect to start.
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Brushes – Get a variety of shapes and sizes. A few flat and round brushes are ideal for beginners.
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Canvas or Acrylic Paper – Pre-primed canvases or special acrylic pads work best.
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Palette or Mixing Tray – To mix and blend colors.
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Cup of Water – For rinsing brushes.
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Paper Towels or Rag – For drying or cleaning brushes.
Don’t worry about buying expensive art supplies from the beginning. Even a simple set from a local craft store is enough to begin your journey.
🎨 Step 2: Understand Your Materials
Take some time to get familiar with your supplies:
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Try squeezing a small amount of paint onto your palette.
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Test how much water you can mix in before the paint becomes too thin.
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Practice holding your brush at different angles and pressures.
You’ll quickly learn how acrylics behave and how much paint and water you prefer using.
🎨 Step 3: Start with Basic Brush Strokes
Before painting anything detailed, try practicing:
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Horizontal and vertical strokes
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Soft circular blends
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Dots, dabs, and textures
This practice helps build confidence and control—just like learning letters before forming words.
🎨 Step 4: Learn Simple Color Mixing
Color mixing is one of the most important parts of painting:
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Mix red and yellow to make orange
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Blue and yellow make green
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Red and blue make purple
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Add white to make lighter versions (called “tints”)
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Mix a bit of black for darker shadows
Try making your own color chart—it’s a fun way to learn how different combinations look.
🎨 Step 5: Create Your First Simple Painting
Now it’s time to create your first acrylic painting! Choose something simple like:
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A colorful sunset
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A landscape with mountains and a river
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A simple flower or abstract design
Follow these steps:
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Paint your background first using a big brush and soft, even strokes.
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Block in your large shapes like mountains, sky, or land.
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Add colors and details using smaller brushes.
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Highlight and shade to add depth.
Take your time. Enjoy each step. Repaint or adjust as much as you like—acrylics let you do that!
🎨 Step 6: Try Layering and Textures
Once your paint dries (which is quick!), you can add layers on top:
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Add highlights with lighter paint
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Shade using darker tones or glazing
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Use a dry brush for rough textures like grass or clouds
You can even experiment with palette knives, sponges, or other objects to create cool effects.
🎨 Step 7: Keep Practicing and Exploring
The more you paint, the more skilled and confident you’ll become. Try:
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Copying simple art pieces to learn new techniques
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Painting from photos or nature
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Joining art communities for feedback and inspiration
Every painting you make will teach you something new.
🎨 Final Thoughts
With this step-by-step acrylic painting guide for beginners, you’re now ready to begin your creative adventure. The most important thing to remember is: have fun! Whether you’re painting alone for relaxation or creating art with others, let your imagination take charge and don’t worry about being perfect.
Want to learn even faster and have someone guide you through the process? Join a paint and sip night or virtual class with Artväna, where painting becomes a fun and social experience. With Artväna, you’ll grow your skills, meet fellow artists, and build confidence one colorful stroke at a time.
So don’t wait—pick up that brush and start painting today!
