Albert Serino Tips on Using Acrylic Paints

Versatile, vibrant and affordable, acrylic paints can be painted on just about anything. Discover how to get started with this type of painting as Brooklyn-based landscape painter Albert Serino shares his top tips for painting with acrylic paint.

If you are working on your painting techniques and want to try acrylic painting, Albert Serino has everything you need to get started. Acrylics are fast-drying paints that can be used straight from the tube, as oil paints, or can be diluted with water, like watercolor. They are extremely versatile and colorful, providing the artist with a wide range of textures and colors.

A REASONABLE OPTION

Acrylics are also affordable, making them ideal for painting large areas. Because these colors are opaque and dry quickly, they are easier to handle because they allow you to cover up mistakes by using more colors.

They can be applied to just about anything and drying will create a waterproof surface. You should be aware of how quickly they dry.

The acrylic paint is oily and smooth, blending on the canvas almost like oil. Because they essentially dry to create a plastic surface, they are ideal for use in multimedia painting. Alber Serino will start with four brush shapes that will be useful for your journey into acrylic painting and what each shape can be used for. He will also cover how to care for brushes - which is a particularly important factor in acrylic painting.

COLOR SELECTION

Each artist has his or hers favorite brand of acrylic painting and Albert Serino encourages you to explore what works best for you. The tips in this article can be applied with any heavy acrylic paint, student or professional gradation.

Simple techniques such as blending and blurring have also been introduced to make it easier for you to get started with this wonderful medium. Immerse yourself in the world of acrylic painting, from brush choices to basic techniques.

BRUSHES

Acrylic brushes are mostly made of synthetic materials and can be used with different media. Brushes for oil paints and watercolors should not be used. It is important to have a variety of brushes, from small to large.

You will soon discover which ones you prefer, but these four are some of the most common forms you will encounter. The Filbert brush is a great all-purpose brush that can offer a straight or rounded shape.