When drawing the metallic texture in acrylic paintings, the techniques and tips for using acrylic brushes are as follows:
First, the preparation stage
Choose the appropriate acrylic brush:
Use a hard-edge brush to outline the edges and details of the metal, such as the edges of the metal, highlights and reflective lines.
Soft-edge brushes are suitable for applying transitional colors and shadows, making the metallic texture more gentle and natural.
Prepare pigments and media:
Using acrylic paint as the base, some metallic pigments (such as gold, silver, copper, etc.) can be mixed to enhance the metallic texture.
Consider using auxiliary materials such as pearlescent bright gold media, which can be mixed with acrylic pigments to produce a special metallic luster effect.
Second, drawing techniques
Base color and transitional color:
First, use an acrylic brush to apply the base color to the work. The base color can be chosen to be similar to the metallic texture, such as gray, dark blue or dark green.
Next, create a new layer and use a soft-edge brush to gently apply a transitional color on the base color. The color should be slightly darker than the base color.
Dark parts and bright parts:
Use a soft-edge brush to apply color to the dark areas, and at the same time express the bright areas with a lighter color. Through the contrast of light and shade, the three-dimensional effect of metals can be enhanced.
Note that the colors in the dark areas should gradually transition to avoid being too stiff.
Highlights and Reflections
Use a hard-edge brush to draw bright edges and highlights along one side of the metal to add luster to the work.
The highlights can be made by mixing white pigment or metallic pigment to achieve a brighter effect.
Reflective lines can be drawn based on the position of the light source and the shape of the metal to enhance the realism of the metal.
Hierarchy and details:
By repeatedly superimposing color layers, the metallic texture of the picture can be enriched. Each time you stack, pay attention to the dryness of the pigment to avoid uneven color mixing.
Pay attention to the details on the metal surface, such as scratches and wear. You can use a small acrylic brush to depict these details.
Third, auxiliary techniques
Use tear-off adhesive to stick gold foil:
To enhance the metallic texture, gold foil can be pasted on the picture. First, use tear-off tape to trace the border on the painting. Then, stick the gold foil in place and gently brush off the excess gold foil with a hard brush.
After removing the peelable glue, gently scrape out the texture with a spatula to allow the gold foil to blend into the painting. Finally, acrylic paint is used for coloring and blending to make the gold foil blend perfectly with the painting.
Adjust the brushstrokes and texture
By adjusting the direction and force of the brushstrokes, different metallic texture effects can be created. For instance, short and powerful strokes can express the hard texture of metal, while long and gentle strokes can convey the soft texture of metal.
You can use a scraper or other tools to create various texture effects on the picture, such as scratches and textures, to further enhance the metallic feel.
Fourth, Precautions
Pigment drying property:
Acrylic paint dries completely after the water evaporates. Therefore, when painting, one should have a clear idea of the process to ensure that the brushstrokes connect naturally and achieve the desired effect.
Color mixing
When mixing metallic pigments, pay attention to the proportion of the pigments and the uniformity of the mixture. Too much metallic pigment may cause the picture to be too shiny, while too little metallic pigment may fail to achieve the expected effect.
Picture protection
After completing the painting, you can spray a layer of protective paint to protect the picture from dust, stains and ultraviolet rays, making the metallic texture more lasting and bright.