Acrylic Painting for Absolute Beginners

by Maya Brooks – Amateur Acrylic Artist

beginners guide to acrylic painting

If you’ve ever wanted to paint but weren’t sure where to start, acrylics are the perfect medium. They’re affordable, easy to use, and endlessly versatile — from bold abstracts to fine detail work. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the basics I wish I’d known when I first picked up a brush.

Table of Contents

Why Choose Acrylic Paints?

Acrylics are a dream for beginners because they’re:

  • Quick-drying – no long waits like with oils.
  • Easy to clean – just soap and water.
  • Flexible – can be used thin like watercolour or thick like oil paint.
  • Affordable and accessible – starter sets are great value.

 

I started with a simple student-grade set (see my recommended beginner sets here) and was amazed how quickly I could create finished, vibrant pieces.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

Starting out doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. Here’s what I’d recommend for your first setup:

Acrylic Paints

Choose a student-grade set to begin. You’ll get a good range of colours at a reasonable price.
Look for brands like:

  • Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic
  • Liquitex Basics
  • Daler Rowney System 3

 

(You can find my favourites here)

Brushes

You don’t need dozens — just a few different sizes and shapes.
Try:

  • Flat brush for large areas
  • Round brush for details
  • Filbert brush for blending and edges

 

Choose synthetic brushes labelled for acrylic use — they’re firm enough to handle thicker paint.

Painting Surface

Start with stretched canvas, canvas board, or acrylic paper.
If you want to experiment cheaply, gessoed cardboard works too!
See my surface recommendations here.

Palette & Tools

You’ll need something to mix your paints — a palette, white ceramic plate, or even a piece of glass works well.
Add a palette knife for mixing and creating textured effects.

Water & Cleaning Supplies

A jar of clean water for rinsing brushes and a rag or paper towel are essential.
Don’t let paint dry in your brushes — clean them often as you go!

First Steps: Simple Painting Exercises

When I started, I didn’t jump into full paintings right away. Instead, I learned how acrylic behaves by experimenting.

Try these exercises:

  • Colour Mixing: Create a colour chart with your paints. Mix secondary colours (orange, green, purple) from your primaries.
  • Opacity Test: Paint one colour over another to see how transparent it is.
  • Blending Practice: Apply two colours side by side and blend them while wet.
  • Dry Brush Texture: Use a dry brush and a little paint for scratchy, textured effects.

 

These small studies build confidence fast.

Beginner Tips I Wish I’d Known

  • Keep paints moist. Acrylics dry fast — use a misting bottle or palette cover.
  • Don’t overmix. Let brushstrokes and colours show through for more life.
  • Start simple. Paint objects you love — flowers, mugs, fruit, clouds.
  • Layer your work. Acrylics are forgiving — you can paint over mistakes once dry.
  • Clean as you go. Dried acrylic is tough to remove from brushes.

Next Steps: Building Your Skills

Once you’re comfortable, try experimenting with:

  • Mediums (for texture or transparency)
  • Varnishes (for protection and sheen)
  • Different surfaces like wood or fabric

 

You can explore my full beginner-friendly acrylic supplies list here.

Project Idea: Your First Mini Painting

Here’s a simple exercise I give to beginners:

  • Paint a small 6×6 inch abstract using just red, blue, yellow, white, and black.
  • Focus on colour mixing, layering, and texture.
  • Don’t worry about perfection — just get used to how the paint feels.

 

It’s a fun way to get started, and you’ll finish with something uniquely yours.

Final Thoughts

Acrylic painting is all about experimentation and joy. Don’t get hung up on technique too soon — let curiosity guide you.

Every brushstroke teaches you something new, and every mistake can be painted over.

If you’re ready to start your acrylic painting journey, check out my hand-picked beginner supplies here — the same kinds I started with and still use today.

 

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