Brushstrokes

Effortless painting with minimal tools and materials

Angela Marie Moulton

• Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9781633228214
• Topic: Art
• Subtopic: Art Techniques

Learn to create effortless works of art using step-by-step painting techniques that require minimal time and only the most basic supplies. Designed for absolute beginners, Brushstrokes: Acrylic uses large brushstrokes and thick, creamy paint to help budding artists create bright, dynamic paintings in practically no time at all. After a quick overview of the basic tools and materials—including surfaces, brushes, and paints—and a brief introduction to choosing and mixing colors, Brushstrokes: Acrylic demonstrates how to use just a few thick brushstrokes to create works of art in a bold, effortless style. From vibrant birds and florals to charming animal portraits and still life, follow along with these step-by-step projects to create quick-and-easy masterpieces—a perfect formula for artists just getting started. Brushstrokes: Acrylic provides a unique introduction to acrylic painting, from choosing the right brushes and paints to creating inspired works of art using easy painting techniques—no experience required.

LEVEL: BEGINNER

Abstract Painting

An abstract gradient painting will help you practice mixing colors and laying planes of color without blending, which is key for bold brushstrokes. Your canvas will start to come to life with each additional thick brushstroke of color.

TOOLS & PALETTE

• Stretched canvas, size 8" × 10"

• Flat bristle brush, size 14 or 16

• Flat bristle brush, size 2 or 4

• Palette knife

• Transparent brown iron oxide

• Cadmium yellow medium

• Cadmium red light

• Ultramarine blue

• Titanium white

STEP ONE

Start by adding a background wash to your canvas. First spray the canvas with a fine mist of water. Then, using a flat brush, apply some thinned transparent brown iron oxide paint to the surface. Wipe away any extra water and paint to create a thin background wash over the canvas.

STEP TWO

Let this first wash layer dry completely. Then, starting at opposite corners, mix red with white paint and apply in one corner. Mix blue with white paint and apply to the opposite corner.

STEP THREE

Next mix yellow paint into the red and white mixture to create a bold orange. Lay in the bottom corner underneath the red and white mixture. Then add yellow to the blue and white mixture to create green. Apply to the fourth corner as shown.

STEP FOUR

Now mix more white paint into the light blue pile to create a new color to lay down next to the blue corner. Use plenty of paint on your brush to make painterly brushstrokes.

Add more white to the red and white pile of paint. Apply this pink mixture to the red and orange side of the painting with your brush. N...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• Introduction
• Getting Started
• Choosing Colors
• Painting Techniques
• Step-by-Step Projects
• About the Artist
• Copyright