Painting techniques can feel like a language you haven’t learned yet. Whether you want to try acrylic painting techniques, master oil glazing, or explore watercolor techniques, this guide breaks down the core methods into friendly steps. I’ll share what I’ve seen work, quick starter projects, and clear comparisons so you can pick techniques that match your style and materials.
Why learn painting techniques?
Picking up a few techniques fast-tracks progress. You get more control, stronger compositions, and fewer wasted canvases. From brush techniques to impasto and glazing, each method has a purpose.
Who this is for
This guide targets beginners and intermediate painters. If you’ve painted once or twice and felt stuck, you’re in the right place. I’ll keep things practical—no jargon-heavy lecture.
Core painting techniques explained
Below are the foundational methods you’ll use most. Try one at a time—mastery comes from repetition.
1. Brush techniques
Brushwork controls texture and edge. Learn a few basic strokes and you’ll say a lot with a little paint.
- Flat wash: even coverage—great for backgrounds (watercolor, acrylic).
- Dry brush: little paint on a dry brush for texture and grit.
- Feathering: soft blended edges—useful for skies and skin tones.
- Scumbling: thin, broken layers that let underpainting show through.
2. Layering and glazing (especially in oil and acrylic)
Layering builds depth; glazing adds color richness. Glazes are thin, transparent layers that alter hue without hiding details.
In oil painting techniques, glazing is classic: apply a transparent layer after the previous one is dry. For acrylics, use a glazing medium to keep transparency.
3. Impasto
Impasto is thick paint applied to create real texture. You can sculpt paint with palette knives or loaded brushes. Great for expressive marks and visible brush direction.
4. Wet-on-wet vs. wet-on-dry
Wet-on-wet blends smoothly—colors mix on the canvas. Wet-on-dry keeps edges crisp. Choose based on whether you want soft transitions or sharp shapes.
5. Underpainting and grisaille
Underpainting establishes values using a single color—often a neutral brown or gray (grisaille). It helps with composition and speeds up final layers.
Medium-specific tips
Different paints behave differently. Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose.
| Medium | Best for | Key techniques |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | Fast work, mixed media | Layering, glazing with medium, dry brush |
| Oil | Slow blending, rich glazing | Glazing, wet-on-wet, impasto |
| Watercolor | Transparent washes, spontaneity | Wet-on-wet, lifting, graded washes |
Tip: If you want historical context on painting techniques and styles, see the Painting overview on Wikipedia for a concise background.
Tools and materials—what to buy first
Start small. A limited palette forces good color mixing. Invest in a few reliable brushes, pans or tubes of paint, and a sketchbook.
- Brushes: one large flat, one medium round, one small detail brush.
- Palette knife: for impasto and mixing.
- Canvas or heavyweight paper suited to your medium.
- Mediums: glazing medium for acrylic, linseed oil for oil (use sparingly).
For practical demonstrations and trusted technique notes, museum sites like Tate’s painting glossary are excellent references.
Step-by-step starter projects
Try small focused projects—these build technique without overwhelming you.
Project A: Simple acrylic landscape (practice brush techniques)
- Block in shapes with a flat wash.
- Use dry brush for texture on foreground grasses.
- Add a glaze over distant hills to cool them down.
Project B: Small oil portrait study (practice glazing and blending)
- Create a grisaille underpainting to map values.
- Apply thin color glazes, letting each dry.
- Finish with impasto highlights on hair and eyes.
Project C: Watercolor still life (practice wet-on-wet)
- Sketch light shapes, wet the paper inside one shape.
- Drop in pigment and watch it bloom.
- Lift with a dry brush or paper towel for highlights.
Troubleshooting common problems
Some problems are unavoidable early on. Here’s how I usually fix them.
- Paint looks muddy: clean your palette, use fewer colors, check value relationships.
- Edges too hard: soften with a clean dry brush or glaze.
- Colors dull after drying: some acrylics darken—test paints before committing large areas.
Comparing techniques: quick reference
Below is a short comparison to help you decide what to practice next.
| Technique | Learning curve | Best medium |
|---|---|---|
| Glazing | Moderate | Oil, acrylic |
| Impasto | Easy–moderate | Oil, heavy-body acrylic |
| Wet-on-wet | Easy | Watercolor, oil |
| Dry brush | Easy | Acrylic, oil |
Real-world examples and inspiration
Try copying a small section of a master painting to learn how they handled paint. Museums and curated collections offer excellent, high-resolution images; the Getty’s collection is useful for studying technique and surface detail.
In my experience, copying isn’t cheating—it’s a fast path to understanding decisions about brushwork and layering.
Next steps: practice plan (30-day outline)
A short, focused plan keeps momentum. Try this:
- Week 1: Brush techniques and washes (daily 20–30 min).
- Week 2: Layering and glazing exercises (small panels).
- Week 3: Texture and impasto studies.
- Week 4: Apply combined techniques in a small finished piece.
Small wins matter: finish one 8×10 piece by week four.
Safety and studio care
Some materials need ventilation. Use solvents like turpentine sparingly and follow product safety labels. For reliable conservation and materials guidance, museum conservation pages are helpful—see links above.
Wrapping up
Pick one technique, practice with intention, then add another. Over time you’ll build a toolkit—brush techniques, glazing, impasto—that lets you express ideas clearly. If you’re unsure where to start, try the acrylic landscape project above; it covers many core skills quickly.
Further reading and resources
Use museum pages and reputable art references when you need deeper technical notes. The linked resources here are a good starting point for both history and practical technique references.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with brush techniques (flat wash, dry brush), simple layering, and wet-on-wet or wet-on-dry exercises. Practice small studies to build control before larger works.
Acrylics are forgiving and fast-drying, making them ideal for beginners. They allow you to practice layering and glazing without long drying times.
Layering builds form and value with opaque or semi-opaque layers; glazing uses thin transparent layers to adjust color and depth without covering underpainting.
You can combine ideas (like underpainting in acrylic and finishing in oil), but avoid mixing wet oils directly with wet acrylics. Use ‘fat over lean’ rules and allow acrylic underlayers to fully dry before oil overpaints.
With focused practice—20–30 minutes daily—you can see noticeable improvement in 4–8 weeks. Targeted exercises and small finished pieces accelerate learning.