How to Paint Realistically with Acrylic: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Acrylic paints are incredibly versatile, making them a fantastic medium for artists of all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner hoping to master the basics. Or an experienced artist ready to refine your technique. learning how to paint realistically with acrylics, can elevate your artistry to another level. This guide will walk you through all the essential tips and techniques, step by step. To create stunningly realistic artwork. So let’s dive in!

how to paint realistically with acrylic - image 1- woman face with hands - multicoloured with paint

Materials You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather your supplies:

Acrylic paints: Choose high-quality paints for better pigmentation and blending.
Canvas or painting surface: Canvas panels, stretched canvas, or acrylic-friendly paper work well.
Brushes: A variety of brushes, including round, flat, and detail brushes.
Palette: A mixing palette or disposable palette paper.
Palette knife: For mixing paint and creating textures.
Water and a container: For cleaning brushes and thinning paint.
Paper towels or a rag: To blot excess water or paint.
Easel (optional): To keep your work at a comfortable angle.
Varnish: For a protective, glossy finish.

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Creating a productive workspace ensures that your focused and efficient. Here are some good tips:

Organize materials: Lay out your paints, brushes, and other supplies within easy reach.
Lighting: Use a bright, natural light source. Or daylight bulbs to see colours accurately.
Protect surfaces: Cover your table with a drop cloth or newspaper. This is to soak up those accidental spills! Accidents happen, best to be prepared.
Ventilation: Keep your area well-ventilated, especially when using varnishes or sealants. This is for your health. Breathing in the fumes of these products can be harmful.

art-workshop - brushes - tools-varnishes

Step 2: Plan Your Painting

Realism starts with a clear vision. Spend time planning your artwork before touching the canvas:

Choose your subject: Start with something simple yet detailed. Such as still life, a portrait, or landscape.
Use references: Take or find high-quality photos of your subject. Pay attention to details like lighting, texture, and colour.
Sketch the outline: Lightly sketch the subject on your canvas. Do this using a pencil or a thin layer of watered-down paint.
Identify light sources: Mark areas of light and shadow to create depth later.

Step 3: Prime Your Canvas

Priming your canvas ensures better paint adhesion and smoother blending. Here’s how:

Apply a base coat: Use a neutral or relevant background colour. For instance, use a light grey or burnt sienna for portraits and Mediterranean landscapes. (burnt sienna is a reddish light brown used to add warmth or depth)
Create gradients: For skies or backgrounds, blend a gradient as a base to add depth. Start with two colours on opposite ends of the canvas. Use a clean, slightly damp brush to blend the colours in the middle. Work quickly before the paint dries. Repeat the layering for smoother transitions.
Let it dry: Acrylics dry quickly, so this won’t take long.

Step 4: Master the Basics of Realism

Layering

Start with thin layers: Build up opacity and detail gradually.
Let each layer dry before applying the next to avoid muddying colours.

Blending

Use a damp brush: Slightly wet your brush for smoother transitions between colours.
Work quickly: Acrylics dry fast, so blend edges while the paint is still wet.

Detailing

Use fine brushes: For intricate lines and textures, invest in high-quality detail brushes.
Highlight textures: Add subtle lines or dots to mimic realistic surfaces. For example: skin pores or wood grain.

Just take a look at this amazing video !

Step 5: How to paint realistically with acrylic continued : Mix Colours Like a Pro

Realistic colours bring your painting to life. Practice mixing to achieve the perfect shades:

Understand colour theory: Familiarize yourself with the colour wheel. This will help to create complementary tones and avoid over-saturation.
Mix skin tones: For portraits, blend primary colours (red, blue, and yellow.) Add white and brown to create natural skin tones. Add hints of green or blue for shadows.
Create shadows and highlights: Mix complementary colours to deepen shadows. And add white or a touch of yellow for highlights.

Pro tip: Always mix more paint than you think you’ll need—it’s hard to recreate the exact same shade!

acrylic-painting - beautiful surreal sky - all the colours of a rainbow

Step 6: Build Depth with Shadows and Highlights

Realism relies on a strong sense of depth. Here’s how to achieve it:

Start with mid-tones: Lay down your base colours, avoiding extremes in light or dark.
Add shadows: Use darker tones to define areas where light doesn’t reach. Apply thin glazes for soft, realistic shadows.
Layer highlights: Apply lighter shades to areas catching the most light. Use a dry brush for subtle highlights or a fine brush for precise details.
Use glazing: Thin your paint with water or acrylic medium. This can be used for translucent layers, perfect for refining shadows and highlights. Click here for a great deal on acrylic medium

Step 7: Create Realistic Textures

Textures make your artwork pop. Here’s how to replicate different surfaces:

Smooth textures (skin, glass): Blend paint seamlessly with soft brushes or sponges.
Rough textures (wood, fabric): Use dry-brushing or stippling techniques. This uses small dots to create light and shadow. Drag a stiff brush lightly across the canvas for a textured effect.
Fur or hair: Use a fine brush to paint individual strands. Work in layers, starting with darker base colours. Then begin adding lighter strokes for highlights.
Metallic surfaces: Add small highlights and reflections with white paint to mimic shine.

painting in progress - brush tip onto canvas

Step 8: Fine-Tune the Details

Details elevate your painting from good to extraordinary:

Edges: Sharpen edges for focal points and soften them in background areas to create depth.
Reflections: For glass or water, add soft, curved highlights to mimic reflections.
Tiny imperfections: Add blemishes, wrinkles, or scratches for a more authentic feel.
Adjust contrast: Step back and assess your painting. Deepen shadows or brighten highlights if needed.

Step 9: Final Touches and Finishing

Clean edges: Use a ruler or masking tape for straight edges. Especially in architectural paintings.
Glaze for uniformity: Apply a final glaze to unify the colour tones and enhance depth. This is also known as a finisher. It protects and enhances the painting. For a great deal on finishers click here!
Sign your work: Always add your signature—it’s your masterpiece!
Seal with varnish: Protect your painting with a clear varnish for longevity and a polished finish. Buy your Varnish Spray here!
Note: Finisher and Varnish are sometimes used to mean the same thing. Although a finisher is often more subtle. But varnish provides a more robust protection.

Watch this video for some pro varnishing tips !

Tips for Success

Patience is key: Realism takes time. Focus on one section at a time.
Step back: Regularly step away from your work. Then assess overall balance and proportions.
Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try new techniques or tools.
Practice: The more you paint, the better you’ll get at capturing realistic details.

Conclusion

I really hope you have enjoyed this tutorial on how to paint realistically with acrylics. I have found it is a rewarding journey. One that combines technique, patience, and creativity. By mastering layering, blending, and detailing, you can bring any subject to life. Remember, the key to success lies in practice and persistence. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or experiment along the way. So grab your brushes, set up your workspace, and start creating your next masterpiece.