Why Learn Acrylic Painting?

Acrylic paints are a great medium for beginning painters. This versatile and malleable paint is considered inexpensive compared to other mediums, like oil paints. Acrylic painting requires very few materials; all you need to have to start acrylic painting are acrylic paints, paint brushes, a painting surface, and water. 

There are several benefits to learning how to paint using acrylics. It can help improve your fine motor skills, provide a method of elevating other crafts, instill self-confidence, and provide a form of emotional regulation. Here, you’ll learn more about the ways that you can benefit from learning how to paint with acrylics and how learning this skill can enhance your life. Regardless of your overall goals, learning acrylic painting can be a valuable and impressive skill to learn.

What is Acrylic Painting?

Acrylic paints were developed from acrylic resin by a German chemical company in the 1930s. By the 1940s, acrylic emulsions had gained popularity among house painters. Painters soon realized that acrylic paints were less toxic, easier to clean, and cheaper than other mediums. Unlike oil paints, which have also remained a popular medium, acrylic paints dry very quickly. 

Acrylic paint did not become popular among artists until the 1960s. Once artists had realized that acrylics hold color well and could be used to mimic the look and style of watercolors and oils, they became well-used within the art community. Famous artists like Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and José Clemente Orozco are known for their bold use of acrylic paints. 

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Benefits of Learning Acrylic Painting?

Acrylics are popular among new and experienced painters. Because acrylic paints are inexpensive and easy to use, beginner-level painters tend to start with acrylic before trying out other mediums. If you’ve worked on art projects in the past, you’ve likely used acrylic paints before. 

Acrylic painting makes a fun group activity, regardless of your group’s skill level. You can plan an afternoon or evening of acrylic painting for you and a group of friends or as a child’s birthday party activity. Acrylic paints are water-based, so they can be cleaned up with soap and water, making for a relatively mess-free activity. They can be used on a variety of surfaces, like canvas, glass, and fabric, giving your group a wide range of potential craft ideas. 

Acrylic painting offers several benefits to new and long-time painters. It provides physical and mental benefits, like improving fine motor skills and self-confidence. Acrylic painting can also be done to elevate your crafts and serve as a form of emotional regulation. 

Improve Fine Motor Skills

Acrylic painting requires you to make precise movements that stimulate the muscles in your hand and wrists. This can help improve your fine motor skills. As you use these muscles to make brushstrokes, these motor skills will become more refined. This is important for children and adults who have poor fine motor skills, which will ultimately impact the difficulty of tasks like writing, typing, and cooking. 

You can improve your fine motor skills by setting aside time to practice acrylic painting. If you’re unsure of where to start you can sign up for an acrylic painting class on CourseHorse. These expert-led classes can help even the most beginner painters learn how to work with acrylic paint. 

For an introduction to using acrylics, sign up for Pastimes for a Lifetime’s Painting with Acrylics class. This class can be taken at their Van Nuys location or online. Participants will learn techniques of the 20th-century master painters. This class will teach you everything you need to know about starting with acrylics, including how to mix colors, prepare a canvas, and execute various styles, like impressionism, abstract, and contemporary realism. Before taking this class, you must have taken Drawing with Graphite, Oil Pastel 101, Watercolor 201-Beginner, or another comparable class. 

Improve Self-Confidence 

Learning acrylic painting is rewarding. Knowing that you’re working toward completing a finished painting can improve your confidence in yourself as well as your self-esteem. Working from a blank canvas to a finished piece will allow you to witness the hard work that you’ve put into your art. 

Some of the most famous paintings in the world are acrylic paintings. If you’ve been to an art museum or have taken an art class before, you have probably heard of Andy Warhol’sCampbell’s Soup Can, Roy Lichtenstein’s Drowning Girl, or Helen Frankenthale’s Canyon. These acrylic paintings have inspired other artists and influenced art styles as well. Taking up acrylic painting seriously means that you’re following in the footsteps of master painters who may inspire you to break the perceived boundaries of your creativity. 

Art on 30th, located in San Diego, regularly hosts painting classes that center around master painters, including ones who were known for using acrylic paints. After taking their introductory class, intermediate-level painters can sign up for Mid-Century Masters: Expressive Landscapes. This class introduces students to new abstract expressionist themes, styles, and artists each session. 

Elevate Other Craft Projects

Acrylic paint can be used on a variety of surfaces such as canvas, paper, glass, wood, and fabric. Paper and cardboard are commonly used surfaces by acrylic painters because they’re affordable, easy to find, and absorbent. Canvas is also a popular choice among acrylic painters because it’s lightweight, absorbent, and portable. 

Because acrylic paints can be used on many different surfaces, they’re considered a relatively easy way to enhance crafts. Woodworkers who would like to paint or decorate their pieces may choose to use acrylic. Sewers and others working with fabrics may decide to use fabric paint (which is typically made of an acrylic polymer) on their projects. 

Private Picassos Art Studio and Shop in Brooklyn offers a BYOB abstract acrylic class. This class will teach you how to use acrylic on canvas, starting with canvas paper before working on creating a finished painting on canvas panel. Students will also learn about essential acrylic painting techniques like creating tints and shades, color mixing, and underpainting. 

Provide Emotional Regulation

Painting is an effective way to regulate your emotions. Many hobbyist painters take up painting solely for its therapeutic benefits. When painting is done as a therapeutic activity, it’s been shown to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. Acrylic painting requires you to pay close attention to detail and to constantly consider how your brushstrokes will affect the overall piece. As a result, when you’re acrylic painting your mind will tune out all other distractions. 

There are in-person and online acrylic painting classes that are centered around the therapeutic benefits of acrylic painting. These classes aim to provide a stress-free environment where you can work on your art and forget about the stressors in your life for a little while. 

The Art Studio NY, located in Manhattan, hosts a beginner-level acrylic painting class that will teach you the fundamentals of acrylic painting in a supportive group environment. You’ll discover your artistic voice through acrylic painting under the guidance of a professional artist or expert art instructor. This class emphasizes its goal of providing the mental and emotional benefits of art classes, like stress and anxiety reduction, increased relaxation, mood enhancement, boosted serotonin, and increased self-esteem. 

For an interactive, open-format painting session, sign up for Field Colony’s Sunday acrylic painting class. This introductory class will provide live discussion and guidance as you work your way through learning the foundations of acrylic painting. This class also encourages you to try using new mediums. Several materials are required to take this class, a full list of which can be found on the class webpage. 

How to Start Learning Acrylic Painting

There are several ways to start learning acrylic painting. Self-guided learning methods exist for those who prefer to teach themselves new skills. Free online videos and tutorials can teach you the basics of acrylic painting. Artists and instructors have also posted guides and walkthroughs online that can help you learn and practice acrylic painting. 

Self-teaching is a good method for those who prefer a less structured learning environment and who are motivated to learn on their own. However, one of the most thorough and efficient ways to learn acrylic painting is by taking an acrylic painting class. You can find in-person and online acrylic painting classes available in your area on CourseHorse. 

Acrylic painting classes are led by professional artists and expert instructors. They can teach you the foundations of acrylic painting and walk you through creating your artwork. Instructors are a great source of feedback and can answer questions you have about acrylic painting. 

Classes are offered at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Beginner-level classes typically focus on the basic techniques and foundations of acrylic painting. This can include color mixing and basic forms like still-lifes and live models. After taking beginner-level classes and understanding the foundations of acrylic painting, you can move on to intermediate and advanced-level classes. These will focus on more difficult techniques, styles, and pieces. 

Taking an in-person acrylic painting class is a great way to meet others in your community. They provide a friendly environment to socialize with others who have an interest in painting. Interactive classes can aid in your learning, as you witness in-depth demonstrations and receive hands-on experience. 

Some in-person classes will provide you with the necessary materials, like paint and paintbrushes, while others may require you to purchase your supplies beforehand. You can find out what is and is not provided on a class’s webpage. 

Art on 30th’s Intro to Abstract Acrylic Painting is a beginner-level class that welcomes new painters, painters looking to try a new medium and style, and returning painters. In this class, you’ll learn new techniques as you work toward completing a finished acrylic painting. Students will receive demonstrations, instructor critique, and peer interaction. 

Painting and Vino, located in San Diego, offers several single-session 21+ painting classes. In their classes, you’ll enjoy your favorite beverage while following an instructor step-by-step to create a themed painting. 

Art School of SF Bay in San Francisco hosts a multi-medium painting class for all skill levels. In Oil & Acrylic Painting you’ll spend 14 days learning the foundations of oil and acrylic painting. You’ll work on several paintings that will help you master various methods of oil and acrylic painting. 

Aartwerk Studio in Chicago also offers acrylic and oil painting classes. This beginner-level class will teach you the fundamentals of painting. You’ll receive in-depth instruction on color theory and explore a variety of ways to begin and develop a painting. The oil segment of this class will provide students with an introduction to the medium, including the rules for proper usage and an understanding of the chemistry of oil paint. 

Online acrylic painting classes provide a flexible way to learn acrylic painting. If you can’t attend an in-person class or if there are none offered in your area, you can learn remotely instead. Each class is taught by an expert instructor over a video conferencing platform, like Zoom. Online classes eliminate the need to commute to learn acrylic painting, as they can be taken virtually anywhere with a stable internet connection and no interruptions. 

Online acrylic painting classes, unlike some in-person classes, will require you to procure all necessary materials and supplies. The instructor will provide a list of all items you’ll need to purchase before the first session. You can look for materials and supplies at your local art or hobbyist store, or online. 

There are several beginner-level online acrylic painting classes available on CourseHorse. The Art Studio NY’s Fear-Free Beginners Acrylic Painting is a class welcoming to all skill levels. This class encourages you to find inspiration to explore the boundaries of your creativity without fear. The class is meant to be free of judgment and serve as a place to learn not only painting techniques but also self-expression. 

The Art Studio NY also hosts a single-session introduction to acrylic painting. In this remote class, you’ll experiment with a variety of paintbrushes and practice dozens of new painting techniques. At the end of the 90-minute session, you’ll understand how to create an acrylic painting that is an expression of who you are. 

The 92nd Street Y’s beginner-level acrylic painting class offers students personalized instruction from an expert artist. Participants will work from direct observation and explore the use of textiles and different surfaces. The class will begin with still-lifes and progress to live models. 

Key Takeaways

• Acrylic painting is popular thanks to the medium’s versatility, affordability, and ease of use.
• Acrylic painting can help improve your fine motor skills, improve your self-confidence, elevate your crafts, and help regulate your emotions.
• You can learn acrylic painting by watching videos and tutorials online or by taking an acrylic painting class. 
• In-person and online acrylic painting classes provide expert instruction in acrylic painting.
• You can contact CourseHorse to find out more about the online and in-person acrylic painting classes that are available to you, including private group sessions.