When creating a transparent effect with acrylic painting, the skills and tricks of using the brush are of vital importance. Here are some key tips for use:
First, choose the appropriate brush
Material: Choose brushes with soft bristles or medium hardness, such as bristles, squirrel bristles or synthetic fiber bristles, etc. Brushes made of these materials can better control the flow and transparency of the paint.
Shape: Select the appropriate brush shape based on the painting requirements, such as flat head, round head or fan-shaped, etc. Flat-headed brushes are suitable for large areas of color application, round-headed brushes for fine depiction, and fan-shaped brushes for soft edges and transitions.
Second, dilute the pigment
Dilute with water: To achieve a transparent effect, acrylic paint can be diluted with water. The degree of dilution depends on the required transparency. Generally speaking, the thinner the pigment, the higher the transparency.
Use of media: In addition to water, acrylic media such as flow AIDS or glazing media can also be considered. These media agents can enhance the fluidity of pigments, increase their transparency and gloss.
Third, control the brushstrokes
Pat painting: Use a brush to gently pat the paint onto the canvas instead of applying it forcefully. This can prevent the accumulation of pigments and maintain the transparency of the pigments.
Multi-layer superposition: By superimposing diluted pigments in multiple layers, the depth and transparency of the color can be gradually increased. Each layer of pigment should be dried before the next layer is applied to avoid color mixing and blurring.
Fourth, use the transparent layer to adjust the picture
Correcting colors: If some colors in the picture are too bright or uncoordinated, a light-colored transparent layer can be superimposed on them to adjust the saturation and contrast of the colors.
Create depth: By superimposing color layers of different transparencies, the depth and layering of the picture can be created. For instance, superimposing a light transparent layer on a dark background can make the foreground elements stand out more.
Fifth, pay attention to detail handling
Edge treatment: Use a clean brush dipped in clean water to gently soften the edges of the paint to avoid stiff brushstrokes and boundaries.
Keep the picture clean: During the drawing process, pay attention to keeping the brush and the picture clean to avoid mixing and contaminating the paint.
Sixth, Practice and Attempt
Experiment with different effects: Test different dilution ratios and superimposition methods on discarded canvases or papers to find the effect that best suits your painting style.
Observation and Learning: Observe the works and techniques of other painters, and learn how they use the transparency effect to express the atmosphere and emotions of the picture.
Sample operation
Prepare the paint: Dilute the acrylic paint with an appropriate amount of water until the desired transparency is achieved.
Apply the base color: Use a flat-head brush to spread a layer of light base color on the canvas.
Superimpose the transparent layer: After the base color dries, use a round-tipped or fan-shaped brush to superimpose a layer of diluted transparent color. Pay attention to controlling the lightness and heaviness of the brushstrokes and the flow of the paint.
Adjustment and retouching: As needed, the transparent layer can be superimposed multiple times, and the edges and details can be adjusted using a clean brush.