My best practices in blending acrylic paintings

May 1, 2024

In this short article, you'll find the dos and don'ts for blending acrylic paints, along with some colour-mixing tips based on my personal experience.

The Dos

Below are the blending dos that I have learned from my experience with acrylic paintings.

	1. Start with a Clean Palette Begin with a clean palette or surface to prevent unwanted colour contamination.
2. Work with Thin Layers Apply thin layers of paint when blending to avoid creating a thick, muddy appearance.
	3. Blend While Wet Pair text with an image to focus on your chosen product, collection, or blog post. Add details on availability, style, or even provide a review.
4. Experiment with Mediums Explore different blending mediums to extend the drying time of acrylic paints and enhance blending capabilities.
	5. Use a soft brush Pair text with an image to focus on your chosen product, collection, or blog post. Add details on availability, style, or even provide a review.
6. Practice Gradual Transitions Gradually blend colours together with soft, overlapping strokes to create smooth transitions.
	7. Step Back Regularly Step back from your painting frequently to evaluate your progress and make adjustments as needed.

The Dont's

Below are the blending mistakes I have learned from my experience with acrylic paintings.

	1. Avoid Overworking Avoid overworking the paint by repeatedly blending over the same area, as this can cause colours to become muddy.
2. Don't Mix Opposite Colors Avoid mixing complementary colours (e.g., red and green) directly on the canvas, as they can quickly become muddy when blended.
	3. Don't Rush Take your time when blending colours to achieve the desired effect. Rushing can result in uneven blending and less satisfying results.
4. Avoid Excessive Water While water can be used to thin acrylic paints, avoid using too much water as it can weaken the paint's adhesion and alter its consistency.
	5. Don't pressure too hard Applying too much pressure when blending, can result in a muddy look or disrupt the smoothness of the blend.

Colour Mixing Tips

That I have learned from my experience with acrylic paintings.

	1. Primary Colors Mixing primary colours (red, blue, yellow) can produce a wide range of secondary and tertiary colours.
2. Harmonious Blends Blend colours that are adjacent on the colour wheel for harmonious blends (e.g., blue and green).
	3. Be Cautious with Complements Exercise caution when blending complementary colours, as they can quickly neutralize each other and create dull tones.
4. Test Before Applying Always test your colour mixes on a separate surface before applying them to your painting to ensure the desired result.

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My best practices in blending acrylic paintings

1. Start with a Clean Palette

2. Work with Thin Layers

3. Blend While Wet

4. Experiment with Mediums

5. Use a soft brush

6. Practice Gradual Transitions

7. Step Back Regularly

1. Avoid Overworking

2. Don't Mix Opposite Colors

3. Don't Rush

4. Avoid Excessive Water

5. Don't pressure too hard

1. Primary Colors

2. Harmonious Blends

3. Be Cautious with Complements

4. Test Before Applying

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