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8 Mistakes Beginner Acrylic Painters Make and How to Avoid Them

8 Mistakes Beginner Acrylic Painters Make and How to Avoid Them

As a budding artist, it can be daunting to begin painting — learning the techniques and finding your own style. But if you allow yourself to be brave and persistent, the results of your labor will be much more rewarding. To help get you started in your journey, here are 8 mistakes new painters often make — and how to avoid them for improved creative success! From mixing paint to picking out quality supplies, this guide is filled with inspiring tips to keep you confident in tackling every piece. You have so much potential; you only need the right skills and mindset!

1. Buying the cheapest paint you can find.

When starting to paint, quality should be a priority. Buying the cheapest paints may seem economical at the moment, but in the long run, it will impact your creative learning. Instead of opting for cheap paint, make quality student-grade acrylic paint your go-to option. Not only is student-grade acrylic paint budget-friendly, evenly pigmented, and long-lasting; but it also provides you with a quality starting point for practice and experimentation. The brushes and surface quality don’t have quite as much of an impact initially on the painting process, so you can get away with the cheaper quality. When starting out, it’s better to invest in quality paint that will help you get the most out of your artistic endeavors.

Recommended brands for student-grade acrylic paint

Arteza
Liquitex Basics

General Recommended supplies

2. Relying on pre-mixed paints instead of mixing your own colors

It is better to not use pre-mixed paints. Instead, you should learn how to mix your own colors. This will help you create a higher quality of art and give you more control over the colors that come out. Pre-mixed paints are usually cheaper but they don’t always have the exact color that you need, so mixing your own allows for greater creativity and accuracy in your painting.

A quick intro to mixing colors: The color wheel (red|yellow|blue)

3. Applying paint too thin (or too thick)

When you first start painting, it can be tricky to know how much paint to put on the canvas. If you use too little paint, your colors will not blend properly and your painting may look unfinished. On the other hand, if you use too much paint, it can become difficult to control the colors. Each artist has a preferred consistency of the paint they like to work with. Play with the consistency of your paint, to find what works best for you. It’s important to practice applying just enough paint so that your paintings come out looking beautiful!

FYI — Most first-time & beginner painters do not apply their paint thick enough, so if you are just starting out, push yourself to apply your paint thicker, it will help with coverage and blending.

4. Holding your breath

When we learn something new, it can make us feel scared or nervous. When this happens, some people hold their breath, without realizing it. Holding your breath can cause you to tense up and make it more difficult to focus on the task at hand. It’s important to be aware of this habit and take a few deep breaths before starting each painting session. This will help you relax, allowing you to concentrate better on the artwork that lies ahead. Additionally, focusing on breathing throughout your painting session can also work wonders for maintaining steady brush strokes and achieving consistent color blending. With practice, you’ll soon find yourself in a meditative state while creating — so don’t forget those calming breaths!

TIP: Put a post-it note on your monitor or easel that says “Take a deep breath” That way you see it often as you

5. Comparing your progress to others

It is not helpful to compare your painting progress to anyone else’s. Learning to paint is a journey, and it is important that you embrace where you are in your process. Focus on your own progress and celebrate your successes along the way! Each time you paint you build on the skills from the prior painting. Keep in mind that much like in school, learning and growth doesn’t happen overnight. It requires dedication, patience, and consistent effort over time.

6. Starting with subjects that are too challenging for your skill level

When you first start painting, picking subjects that aren’t too hard is best. Subjects labeled first-time or beginner, are a great place to build your foundation. These will be landscapes, silhouettes, simple flowers, etc; you will get comfortable with color mixing, blending, layering paint as well as the general process of painting. Once this level is comfortable push yourself and try harder painting subjects, like things with more details or paint your pet, etc… Remember you didn’t go from elementary school to high school in 1 year, it took time, and with each year you learned harder and harder subjects.

➡️Click here for — First-time painter options

➡️Click here for — Beginner painting options

➡️Click here for — Paint Your Pet options

7. Having unrealistic (perfectionist) expectations

It is not a good idea to expect too much from yourself when you are first starting to paint. Trying to be perfect can make it hard for you to focus on learning and doing your best. Instead, try celebrating each success as you go and remember that it takes time and practice to get better at painting Focus on progress, not perfection.

8. Rushing through the step of the tutorial/painting process

When you are painting, it is best to take your time with each step of the process. Rushing through can make it harder to learn and do your best. Taking your time will help you focus on learning and make sure that you get the best results from your painting. It’s okay if you need to do the same tutorial many times. Doing it more than once can help you learn and get better at painting.

With the right knowledge and tips in hand, there’s no reason why any beginner painter can’t get their start and find success. Any painting journey should be approached with an open mind and realistic expectations; otherwise, it can become discouraging very quickly. Keeping your supplies, time, energy, and project all in close consideration will get you closer to achieving a result you love. As long as you approach your art with patience and positivity these hiccups won’t hold you back forever! Do you have a tip to add for beginner painters? Leave a comment below — we’d love to hear from you!